Martin Buttrich is famously as fluent behind a mixing console as in front of a virtual drum kit. That technical prowess, combined with a fascination for music of every shape, has resulted in outstanding releases on influential labels such as Planet E, Four:Twenty, Cocoon, Poker Flat, Nervous and Desolat. He’s also put his sonic thumbprint on many big ticket artists, notably receiving a Grammy nomination for a Tori Amos remix in 2003. Such diverse musical horizons are rare. While other prolific artists may have slowly watered down their music, Buttrich’s star has risen in diametric opposition. His vision has become more and more condensed, more and more crystallised. Flipping and puncturing grooves in a live setting is a snap for him, and he’s entranced audiences at festivals like Time Warp and Creamfields, at temples of boom such as Fabric (London), Womb (Tokyo), Cocoon (Frankfurt), Panorama Bar (Berlin) and Amnesia (Ibiza) and at worldwide Desolat Experience parties with Loco Dice.
We caught up with Martin Buttrich ahead of his Miami’s ANTS show on March 22nd, 2020 [CANCELED].
Electronic Groove: Hello Martin, welcome to EG. With 2019 wrapped up, what were your key highlights?
Martin Buttrich: Thanks for the invite. The release of the Better Lost Than Stupid album was definitely one of my highlights as it came a long way and I’m very proud of it. Also, the fact that I managed to finish and release my 3rd Planet E record last year was a bit of a glamorous moment as it took me about ten years to do the follow-up!
EG: You’re set to play ANTS MMW Pool Party, what can we expect?
Martin Buttrich: As I’m playing back-to-back with Mr. (Matthias) Tanzmann I’m sure it will be more than a little bit fun and entertaining! We probably both have a bunch of new tracks to try out.
EG: Playing b2b with Matthias Tanzmann – How did Better Lost Than Stupid come about with him and Davide Squillace?
Martin Buttrich: It just happened a few years ago out of fun and friendship – that’s pretty much it.
EG: What’s your opinion about the Miami Music Week?
Martin Buttrich: It’s still interesting and worth coming all the way from Europe for a fun meet and greet.
[CANCELED]
EG: Is there a track you always play to get the crowd going?
Martin Buttrich: I have a safe box on my computer that I like to dig into but not a specific track. I have a few 😉
EG: Your journey into electronic music began in clubs in Berlin and Hannover at the dawn of the ‘90s, when post-Summer of Love-Europe began. How do you think the scene has changed since then?
Martin Buttrich: I think not much to be honest. Things are simply repeating. Music evolves and devolves depending on the perspective you are at and the time you spent with music watching it grow or die sometimes for a while till it grows again and even stronger than before. And so on and so on…
EG: Do you think your style has changed over the years to fit with the time?
Martin Buttrich: Yes, but not to fit though – more to try out new things and stay excited and motivated. I’m getting bored doing the same thing over and over again. Even if there is a certain recipe that works I always want to try something else. That can hit the spot or go sideways… But, it’s always best to keep on exploring. It keeps up the magic.
EG: What are your plans for 2020? Anything, in particular, you are especially looking forward to?
Martin Buttrich: Lots of music unreleased music being released; the reanimation of my label Rhythm Assault; and a happy me!
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