With a shared passion for techno that spans over two decades, Drumcomplex (Arnd Reichow) and Frank Sonic have become influential figures in the electronic music scene.
Drumcomplex, a stalwart of Germany’s techno community since the late 90s, has created a distinctive and intricate sound that has resonated with fans globally. His extensive discography includes releases on prestigious labels like Carl Cox’s Intec Digital and Monika Kruse’s Terminal M. Renowned for his dynamic performances, Drumcomplex has electrified dance floors worldwide.
Frank Sonic, equally formidable in the scene, brings 24 years of relentless dedication to his craft. Known for his captivating melodic techno, he has left a lasting impression both domestically and internationally. His productions, featured on top labels like Cocoon Recordings and KD Raw, showcase his ability to energize dance floors with his deep, resonant sounds. A resident at Düsseldorf’s acclaimed Silq club, Frank Sonic has also performed at major festivals like Mayday and Nature One, solidifying his status as a key player in the techno world.
We caught up with Drumcomplex and Frank Sonic to talk about their musical journey, latest project, ‘Mind Tripp,’ and planned performances.
EG: Hi, Drumcomplex & Frank, welcome to EG! Where are you right now?
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: Hello there, and thank you for the invitation to the interview. We are currently sitting in the studio of Frank and working on new material.
EG: Congrats on joining the Fall From Grace label family. Your latest release, ‘Mind Tripp’ with Jenner, is a monster. How did this signing come about? How was the experience working with Jenner?
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: Thank you, and we are glad to hear that you like the remix so much. We have been in close contact with Glenn Morrison since last year, and a real friendship has developed since then. He came up with the idea to ask us if we wanted to do a remix for Jenner, and we immediately agreed. She is a super-talented producer, a great DJ, and also a great woman.
EG: Let’s rewind a bit. Both of you have been techno titans for decades. What initially drew you into the world of electronic music? Were there any early artists or labels that shaped your signature sound?
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: We’ve both been in techno fever since the 90s. At that time, electronic music was something completely new and fresh and you felt like you belonged to it. This energy, these abstract sounds, grabbed us right from the start. In the beginning, it was a wild mixture of techno, trance, hardcore, and also house. What is unimaginable today—that so many genres were supported at the same time—was totally normal back then. The sound of Sven Väth and Cocoon influenced us very early on.
EG: You guys have been a collaborative force since 2010. Can you describe your creative process when you work together?
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: It’s crazy to think that we’ve been working together for 14 years. Moreover, it’s not just a business thing but rather a deep connection and close friendship. As we both live in different cities, we mostly work remotely. This means that we keep sending projects back and forth. Frank has an incredibly good studio with a lot of technology and analog synthesizers. He often records sound structures, and Arnd then controls the drumming and shapes everything into an arrangement. With this way of working, we are damn fast and effective.
“We’ve both been in techno fever since the 90s”
EG: Fall From Grace is known for pushing boundaries and embracing diverse sounds within techno. How do you see yourselves infusing your high-octane, classic-meets-modern techno with the label’s established identity?
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: For us, there were never any limits; we make music that we like and of high quality. That doesn’t just mean peak time sound but can also be melodic, stripped down, and downtempo. Many people find it difficult to release music outside of the sound that they play, but we feel really happy with it. Fall From Grace has an incredible number of great releases and the collaboration with Glenn has also inspired us a lot.
EG: You’ve graced some massive stages from Awakenings Festival to Carl Cox’s legendary Revolution Party. What’s been a career highlight so far, and what are you most excited about for the future, both individually and as a duo?
Drumcomplex: I am very grateful that my music has allowed me to travel the world and play so many good clubs and festivals over the last few decades. A highlight was definitely the Awakenings festival, where I shared the stage with Carl Cox. I also had a special festival gig in Cape Town a few years ago. I also like to think about my numerous tours in India. At the moment, my tour calendar is well-filled with shows in Spain, Italy, India, and England and a tour in South America in the autumn.
EG: Any upcoming releases or hot collaborations coming up?
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: Oh yes, as always, we’re busy all the time and are currently looking forward to the Fall From Grace release. In addition, Arnd’s new label DCMX is releasing several singles and in the fall there will be a release as Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic on the label Terminal M, run by Monika Kruse.
Drumcomplex will release a remix for Tomcraft and a new EP on OFF Recordings this summer. As you can see it remains exciting.
EG: What’s the most outrageous or hilarious fan request you’ve ever gotten or the most unexpected thing a fan has done at one of your shows?
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: There are so many wild stories, some of which should perhaps not be made public. There are one or two dubious inquiries from people about what we do after the gig, but since we’re both in a steady relationship, that’s not interesting for us. There are often nice gestures from fans who come up to you after the set and want to take photos, who are really excited and sweet. We think that’s really nice and we always take the time for it.
“For us, there were never any limits; we make music that we like and that is of high quality”
EG: What does the future hold for Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic?
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: We will continue to focus on our productions as we have done in the last few years and we are sure to have one or two follow-ups on one of the labels we have released recently. Furthermore, full energy is on Arnd’s label DCMX, which is also getting top support from Beatport’s side.
EG: Thanks for taking the time to chat, guys!
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic: Thank you again for your time and invitation to the interview. We really appreciate it. For you, from the bottom of our hearts, all the best and love.
Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic’s ‘Mind Tripp’ is now available via Fall From Grace. Stream and download here.
Follow Drumcomplex: Facebook I Instagram I Soundcloud I Spotify
Follow Frank Sonic: Facebook I Instagram I Soundcloud I Spotify
