We have the pleasure of speaking with German tastemaker and label boss Andre Buljat. To celebrate his latest release eon his own Barcelona based YAKAZI label, we find out more about the inspiration behind the label and the music, his move to Barcelona and what it takes to be a label manager…
Hello Andre, how are you?
Vert good, thank you.
How has the start of 2018 been for you so far?
It has been very good and I am working on more music then ever before. I am also very happy with the results and sound.
We’re digging the new EP ‘Planets Aligned’ on your label. Tell us more about the label and the inspiration behind it?
Me and Hitch started the label because we wanted a platform for our music and also release music from our friends. Both of us have been in the industry for many years and we have meet a lot of amazing producers. So for us it was the perfect timing to start a label and release quality music. Both of us have more or less the same vision of music and exactly know where we want to be and where we want to go.
Why base your label in Barcelona when you are from Germany? Why the move?
I grew up in the Dominican Republic as a child and then went back to Germany when I was 18 years old. When I moved back to Germany I really couldn’t handle the weather so I moved to Barcelona. Where I started to study at SAE and had a lot of friends and liked the music scene and vibe there.
Where you always musical growing up? What inspired you to make techno?
I had my first mixer when I was 12years old and started mixing hip hop and rap. I had this good friend in the Dominican Republic who made the first techno parties there. At these parties i Heard the first tracks from Jeff Mills, Ben Sims, Derrick May etc and was instantly hooked.
How would you describe your sound?
Trippy, hypnotic, groovy and rolling.
What musicians would you say are your main source of inspiration?
Richie Hawtin in his early days.
What was the dance scene like in Bonn?
Boon only has a few very small clubs, but we have Cologne around the corner and there is where I usually went for clubbing.
Do you find where are you now to be the most beneficial music and career wise?
Yes of course, with the years you get more confident and also reach the sound level where you want to go. Right now I am finally getting where I always wanted to be but there is so much more to do and learn.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a label?
Be original and release music you really like and not just because of a certain sound or hype.
How do you balance gigging, producing and managing a label?
There is not much balance I just go for it and do what has to be done 🙂
How’s 2018 looking for you? Is it due to be an exciting year?
Yes I have a lot of new music coming out in the next month and also have a very interesting touring schedule for 2018.
Any further goals or ambitions yet to achieve in the future?
Make much more music and present my vision of sound to the people. Some might like it some might hate it but for me its important to make music what I feel at the specific moment.
Planets Aligned is out now! Grab it here.