Interview with Meller
Interview with Mel and Marco Scherer from German project Meller.
1)When and how did you start making psytrance music?
[Scherer]
My first activity was djaying which I started in 1992. Six years later I played around with some music software (called musicmaker by magix) but was bored after some weeks as the demo version was very limited. So I decided to buy my first synthesizer (Yamaha QS-300, Ravers Babe!) and started collecting some more hardware. In the first year I produced a great range of styles (techno, trance, drum’n’bass and ambient) but since goa came into my life in the year 2000 I prefer this style.
[Mel]
1993 I moved to a place near Hamburg. Motivated by the new possibilites I kept myself busy with spinning vinyl an in the age of 15 I bought my first turntable "Technics MK II". One year later I played on several private parties. 1998 I was introduced into the world of psytrance and engaged myself with the new sound. After some time had passed I met Marco Scherer on a festival organized by himself. With him I visited a studio for the first time in my life. Since then I’m trying to increase my knowledge in music production.
2)How would you describe your style?
[Scherer]
No concrete idea. The main word is psytrance, some say it’s (german) progressive but I don’t think so, even if it’s right that the music has german roots. Let’s call it "HeavyKickdrumOverloadedBassAndStraightForwardPsytrance", this fits best :)
[Mel]
Uh, don’t want to give a fixed answer. Depends on the event and audience and for sure the time when I spin. I like flexibility..
3)What gear do you use while creating music?
[Scherer]
Yamaha QS-300
Access Virus A
Novation BassStation
Novation DrumStation
Alesis HR-16, Drumcomputer
Korg Electribe R, Drumcomputer
Akai S-2000, Sampler
Yamaha Rev-100 Fx Unit
Zoom 9030 Fx Unit
1.7 GHz PC s Midi Express 6/6, M-Audio Quattro Interface and loads of software
[Mel]
At home I’m discovering the possibilities of different programs but I try to visit Marco as often as possible.
4)What gear do you use live on stage?
[Scherer & Mel]
Access Virus A
Novation BassStation
Alesis HR-16, Drumcomputer
Alesis MMT-8, Sequencer
Korg Electribe R, Drumcomputer
2 x Pioneer CDJ-100s
5)What are your favorite psytrance projects?
[Scherer]
Just to mention a few: Hyper Frequencies, Codex, Bamboo Forest, Lish, Drone, Ultravoice, OTG, Kopsses, Rev, Sensphere, ESXS, PTK, Nuclear Ramjet, Absolum
[Mel]
Alien Project, Bamboo Forest, Nuclear Ramjet, Spiralianz and many more...
6)Do you also listen to any other kind of music?
[Scherer]
For sure I do. Prefered styles are ambient, smooth techno music and oldschool trance. Listening to other kinds of music always gives impressions and new innovations.
[Mel]
For sure! Normally I listen to any kind of music.
7)What was your most memorable gig?
[Scherer & Mel]
There have been too many great gigs to mention only one. Each set brings fun.
8) What do you think about the evolution of psytrance music?
[Scherer & Mel]
Difficult question. It’s the same like in all other scenes that grow. Psytrance changed its face minimally but didn’t lose its character. But I think I don’t have the position to talk too much about that.. everything will keep going on great.
9)How is the psychedelic scene in Germany? Parties, people, projects
[Scherer & Mel]
It’s getting harder to hold parties as more and more events are forbidden but I think this keeps the underground alive. The parties sometimes remind me of the german mentality in general. In comparison to parties outside germany the atmosphere here is much "cooler" respectively "colder". Nevertheless you have a great amount of parties to visit and you always meet nice people. Like all other countries Germany also has top quality acts, producers, djays, labels etc. If you don’t mind the "cool" business it’s a good place to be active.
10)What is plasticAge music?
[Scherer]
plasticAge music is the collective name for all the activities we do. A crew consisting of six main members and some helpers. We have several live-acts (Meller, Durchblick and Unicorn), several djays (Alex Connors, Linus, D-Cut and Marco Scherer), our djay-project Groove Solutions and nearly everyone produces. All the artists and projects concetrate on different styles of music including techhouse, techno, electro-pop and psytrance. Additionally we cover reviewing music and sounddesign. More info, picture and soundfiles at http://www.plasticage.de
11)What are your future plans?
[Scherer]
Being able to do the same things I’m doing right now. That means working in our organization plasticAge music, producing music, managing our artists, having djay and live gigs, fun (indeed!) and so on. And when the time is right we’ll found our own label.
So there are no concrete plans, just going into music more and more..
[Mel]
I’m decided to put all my powers into our project "Meller" as it’s my favorite one and I wish that we’ll have loads of fun and experience.
DJ Top 10:
[Scherer]
1. Hyper Frequencies - "Red Crystal Moon" (Mechanik Sound)
2. Meller - "Mysterien der 8" (unreleased)
3. Drone - "Drastic plastic" (Candyflip)
4. Kyo-Log vs. Ultravoice - "Smash" (Compact)
5. OTG - "Dessert of thereal" (Transcend)
6. Kopsses - "Empty handed" (Doof)
7. Lish - "Dejavoodoo" (USTA)
8. Bamboo Forest - "Random Future" (Flying Rhino)
9. Rev - "Kooky" (Doof)
10. Magma @ "Die andere Zone" (Yellow Sunshine Explosion)
[Mel]
1. Segment - "Battledroids" (Plusquam)
2. Transparent - "Open the Sky" (Dragonfly)
3. Ololiuqui - "Feel" (Spirit Zone)
4. Bone - "Aliens Kiss" (Interzone)
5. Atmos RMX - "Lo-Mi-Hi" (Digital Structures)
6. Vibrasphere - "Plastik Sharks" (Plastik Park)
7. Bamboo Forest - "Awake" (Dragonfly)
8. GMS - "Shrek" (Spirit Zone)
9. Spirallianz - "Battlejuice" (Spirit Zone)
10. Nuclear Ramjet - "Evolution" (Iboga)
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Marco Scherer will be playing 15.11.2003 @ Matrix (Prague). -more info-