ARTIST OF THE MOMENT: Sven Weisemann

Beginning of May I received a mix that seemed to have been destined to become my - and many others- quarantine buddy. Named  (a bit cheesy?) “Poems to heal yourself”  it goes right in there in with an inquiry by “pretty - out - there” Guru Gangaji, arches over Depeche Mode’s “Leave in Silence” and passes by some solid prog house bouncers along the way (Chucky Bounce’s “Nobody Else” nicely rediscovered here). This mix embraces all your quarantine emotions at once and is a statement that Sven Weisemann is not here for the quick cheap thrill, but a skilled selector that helps you find the romance in exploration and solitude.

The Berlin-based composer and DJ operates perfectly at the magic intersection of art and science, proven again with his latest Jouem release “Resonance on the edge” on Mojuba Records. His diverse musical upbringing reflects also in releases under his numerous aliases such as Jouem and Desolate. From an artist and multi-instrumentalist who claims to have been “not challenged enough by playing with only two turntables” already at an early age one can expect an extensive catalog of productions in various genres, but all connected via the depth and immaculateness of his soundscapes. It’s hard to know where to start deep-listening Sven’s works, personally I have found a chronological approach here to be counterintuitive. Just pick a random release from whenever, sit down, and soon you’ll gently smile and levitate and be right where you need to be at that moment. Start from there. Or start from Sven’s own words as we caught up on his inspiration, releases, and how he thinks and works as DJ and producer.

Hi Sven, we’d love to hear from you about how you are doing in the current situation? Where and how are you spending the quarantine?
Thanks so much for having me… honestly, nothing changed so much for me, except not to be on the road at the moment and of course I miss that ‘give & take’ between the crowd and me, but my normal daily life is mostly the same.  Staying home and doing my musical journey, as usual, being creative, calm, and reflecting on all kinds of things in our life.

In the sudden absence of any offline events, what role did music play for you?
Music has been my life elixir since I was born -  I breathe music... I have been collecting music in all kinds of genres since I was 9 years old… listening to music, getting really deep into it, and analyzing it  - are things I do all day.

You are known as a DJ, producer, composer and do mastering as well. A “jack of all trades” if one could say so. How would you describe your work overall?
Well, I'm so interested in all levels of music, not only to be creative to understand the whole thing with all its elements. But the most lovely thing about music is that you can’t explain where it comes from, or why did you compose this or that… that's the magic in my opinion. I started producing around 2001, my first release came out in 2005.  I wish a lot of producers, composers nowadays will let it breathe more and take time to learn your instruments, your DAW, your craft and to find your own sound. To keep the passion and try to be timeless in a way.

Can you identify certain phases in your musical development?
I started DJing with 12, bought my 1st record at the mBEAT record store in Potsdam, it was Jeff Mills - the extremist / Tresor  23. I worked later at the mBEAT store for years, it became my 2nd home if you will & these times coined my roots to Detroit techno, soul, dub, New York house, drum n bass & so many different styles, with these and also influences from older friends around me I started producing music.

Let's talk a bit about your work as a DJ and the mixes you regularly share. There seems to be something spiritual and deep about them, you often use spoken words to mix in. What is your process in track selection?
Everything I do is really improvised, mostly I have really no clue what I am doing… it’s just from the flow and vibe, maybe an intro or beginning track I chose firstly in upfront or in the same moment before I start… because I like to keep it open for myself, to see what happens, take the risk and try things out… With my Soundcloud mixes I do the opposite, long time process to get deep into my collection or new stuff what touches me at the moment, etc. But the recording itself, same thing, just let it flow but it’s also a bit more calm mixing of mine, normally I’m more an energetic action man in clubs, live… unless I play a warm-up.

We saw a few older and newer streams of yours, and there seems to be strong consensus in the comments which I am going to sum up with one comment I read: “Holy shit this man can mix!” Tell us a bit more about that.
Ah, thanks…. yes this influence is coming from lots of US DJs (techno & house). The most inspiring comes from of course Mr. Jeff Mills but there is a lot of other stuff that influenced the way I play… but again, mostly I’ve really no clue at all what I’m doing. Find yourself, trust yourself, and believe in yourself … let it flow.

As a producer, what is next on the horizon for you?
Oh, so much stuff in the pipeline but also so diverse, what is the most fun in my kind of creative musical journey… My last release came out weeks ago: the next Jouem episodes 6/8 a concept with 8 parts of a puzzle artwork and I like it so much to be working in my Jouem cosmos, same with my other moniker Desolate, last year I released my 4th album called Exceptionalism At the moment I’m composing a soundtrack for a series, working for a long time on my next ambient-piano album, my XINE (2009) album is coming for the first time on vinyl asap, I’m doing the remastering sessions at the moment, a couple of remixes, new Mojuba album and so on… too many ideas as usual.

What is an interview question you really wanted to be asked but never were?
A good question :) but honestly, no clue at the moment, I have to think about it...

Who is an artist you really want our audience to discover. What kinds of music are you inspired by yourself?
Too many good talented artists out there with almost no chance to see the light, but there is a lot if you take the time and explore it… it’s worth it! It is a bit difficult for me to answer this beautiful question because I'm so diverse… I listen to lots of classical, jazz, soul, modern temporary music and so on… a neverending story :) But I can recommend you one guy called r beny lovely guy from California, great ambient, drone stuff, check his youtube channel or Bandcamp… the thing is that I discover new good music almost every day… There is so much music out there, and music is always an individual taste thing, but I have one motto in life: good music will always find you...

Who were the important people on your path that mentored or supported you?
First of all my family, my grandparents… I always had the support from my family, one of the reasons I’m that guy who I am today… my mum drove me to my gigs when I played my first gigs at 14… she danced and drove me back home.  My grandpa bought me my first digital piano and I learned to play instruments as well… but of course, lots of friends from the record store I worked at and all these different influences around me had a deep impact till today… and all the artists from all kinds of genres that inspired me.

For someone that never saw you playing, what would be the perfect description of your sound?
A DEEP JOURNEY… through all elements of life

We would also like to include a small playlist (a few mixes/ tracks of yours) that you would recommend as a good reflection of your work, for people to dive into and discover.

A playlist with 24 mixes of mine makes it easy :)

A more proper energetic mix I did for ‘Little White Earbuds’ years ago

Here is an ambient mix I did for ‘Unrush’

And live things check it here:
ARTE concerts and HÖR Berlin stream
Youtube playlist with lots of live sessions