A unique turntable experience

Oliver Huntemann, a German electronic music producer and DJ was recently in the City to perform in India for the first time.

Metrolife chats up with him on how he literally breathes life into music by shifting cubes of the electronic music instrument called ‘Reactable Live’.

‘Reactable Live’ is conceived as an instrument to bring back the possibilities of traditional instruments to musicians who are working with new technologies. It uses concepts of modular synthesis, sampling, advanced digital effects processing, DJing and combines them with modern human computer interaction, multitouch technology and a tangible interface. ‘Reactable Live’ is a completely new experience in live music performance.

Oliver started his career in the early 1980s when electro-funk and breakdancing moved over from the US to Europe. “I was really deep in this scene. I collected ‘street’ music that shaped my musical journey. I still own the whole collection and will never sell it. My most influential number will be Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force. This track has always been in my DJ box and I still play it on special nights,” he says.

Oliver considers music as his life. “It seems that my whole life is about music. After finishing school I joined the German Navy and also worked as a journalist for some time, but it was never really what I wanted to do, or at least it did not feel that right. Music has always been important to me. I guess I just needed a bit more time to realise that being a professional DJ and producer is the best for me. I started DJing by organising some parties in my hometown,” he shares.

He has played a significant part in shaping techno music through his numerous productions and remixes for some of the biggest names in electronic music such as Depeche Mode, Underworld, Chemical Brothers and a successful collaboration with Dubfire (Deep Dish).

Oliver whose style varies between techhouse and techno, draws his motivation from his travels.

“I find my motivations and inspirations mostly when I travel. I try to catch the vibe of special moments in various clubs to develop my sound all the time,” he says.

The German DJ also showed enthusiasm in collaborating with India musicians and says, “That’s a very interesting idea and I had never thought about that before. I will keep this in mind.”

While revealing the classical musical scene in Germany he says, “We of course have a big pop, rock, hip hop and metal scene in Germany. These genre are bigger than classic music.”

 And moving away from music, what about Indian food? Oliver jokes, “I love Indian food, but my stomach needs time to accustom to it. It’s a different experience to eat in an Indian restaurant in Germany and get that same food in India which is filled with spices.”