In the Mix with Germany’s Dj Andreas Mixgeselle: My Exclusive Q&A

With the kind arrangement of Barbara Sobel, it is my pleasure to conduct this interview with German Dj / Producer Andreas ‘Mixi’ Mixgeselle.  He dj’s an internet mixshow that you can access at SoundCloud. He loves Disco, High Energy; eschews electro and tech. He talks to us about cooking, the winter Olympics, visiting the US, and so much more. I promise that you will enjoy getting to know my fellow Queens Our City Radio artist, Andreas Mixgeselle, as much as I did.

 

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: Such a pleasure to do this Q&A with you, Andreas. Let me begin by asking you what the dance music scene in Hamburg is like right now. If I were to visit, what clubs should I make the rounds to for the best dance music?

Andreas Mixgeselle: Tough question. There’s not much funky house in Hamburg anymore, so I’m not out in clubs very often. There are a couple of locations where I used to go, but I haven’t been to them for a long time. I’m not sure if they are busy and if people are still going. I live a little north of Hamburg now, a 45-minute drive. So I don’t go as much as I used to.

There is a special area in Hamburg which is well known for it’s nightlife. St. Pauli is the name of the borough and the most famous street is called ‘Reeperbahn’ - also sometimes described as die sündigste Meile (the most sinful mile). If you want to go out in Hamburg this is the place to go. There is something for everybody. Bars, clubs, musical stages, pole dancing… everything! One club I can recommend is called ‘Moondoo’ (they don’t spin Techno, that’s a big plus!) and in the basement, there is another club called ’136 degrees’, only open on Saturday, catering for the gay clientele. What is especially nice is that the straight people can go downstairs and check out what’s going on, and the gay people also have the freedom to dance upstairs too.

 

You have a weekly internet radio mixshow that can be listened to on SoundCloud. What can listeners expect when they tune in? How do you describe your style?

Well, you can definitely expect to have a good time. My style it funky, it’s uplifting, it’s fun, it’s emotional, and yeah, it’s commercial! It’s the Weekend Warm Up Show! I’m playing everything that’s catchy, got a good beat, nice vocals and gets you in the mood for a party. It’s probably not the most up-to-date or popular style I’m spinning. I don’t like electro, minimal house, tech house without a hook, techno… Not for mixgeselle. I grew up with Disco, I enjoyed the electro pop of the 80s, so I love my retros, remixes of classic tracks. You always get one or more of them.

Sounds good to me! Now, we’re both connected through our associations with Our City Radio, so we have that in common. You are one of the few Sobel Promotions DJ’s who does not remix.  Do you plan on starting?

Oh I would love to, but I wouldn’t throw something into the market that’s simply bad. I am not a remix expert and there are so many talented and creative people out there that are knowing so much better what to do. If somebody approaches me, and asks if we can do a track together, I would love to do that. I would not go for a ghost remixer and put my name on something; I want to be part of it, I want to be involved, I want the mixgeselle sound. I would have to participate, to sit next to the remixer and to tell him – no that’s not good, yeah I like that… This is our track!

When you were growing up in Germany, what music were you listening to? What inspired you?

Oh my goodness. I listened to so many different kinds of music. As I mentioned already, I grew up with Disco. I listened to so many other genres, like mainstream rock, some folk music or soul, I love the progressive rock of Alan Parsons for example. There are plenty of CD’s in my rack from Toto or Joe Jackson. German singer/songwriter stuff as well or the 80s music: Nik Kershaw, Howard Jones, Alison Moyet…. So many different styles. It’s not only dance music for me, there are so many other styles that I like and I still listen to apart from House.

The Winter Olympics in Sochi. Any thoughts you care to share on this topic and the political climate there, especially as it pertains to the rights of LGBT people?

For me, there is only one style of life: to live and let live. It’s terrible how they deal with civil rights in Russia. But before I judge a foreign country – there is still a lot to do in mine too. Intolerance, discrimination, racism is a global problem and is still alive in Germany as well, perhaps not so obvious, but I first have to take care of the things going on in my country. And the Olympics? Big business, lot’s of money involved and cameras from TV stations worldwide covering not only the games but also what’s going on in Russia – what is good. But it’s also sports, and I love watching sports. So I am following these games!

Andreas, can you describe your working relationship with Barbara Sobel ~ of Sobel Promotions and our Queens Our City station manager ~ for our readers? We’re all ears. 

I’ve known Barbara for so many years now. She promoted a band called Paleday and I got a promo from her which I spun on my show. And now she sticks like glue! [Grins.] She is special and unique and I love her. And I know that she loves me too! Maybe unable to show it…. I don’t know….. Let’s get serious! Her passion for music and her artists is amazing. I think you can’t ask for a better promoter. I respect that, that’s why she is allowed to yell at me all the time! [Smiles.]

When you’re not remixing or dj’ing, how do you like to spend your free time? How do you relax?

It’s all about enjoying life and part of it is to eat and to cook while sipping on a good glass of white wine. Everybody on my friend list on Facebook knows as I’m always posting my cooking sessions. I love to socialize, quality times with friends… and I love to travel, enjoying the sun and the beach, meeting people from everywhere.

Who are your favorite dance-music divas? Who would you most like to work with given all things are possible?

There are so many amazing artists. I’ve met some at Ibiza, for example Barbara Tucker. She was gorgeous. Duane Harden is such a nice talented artist and songwriter! I would love to meet Peyton – a Sobel family member by the way – and work with him. Maybe I’ll get the opportunity this year in Ibiza, who knows! There are some amazing producers in Germany: Sosua & Mad as example. Hope to meet them this year finally. Not to forget Jolyon Petch from New Zealand! Oh my goodness, there are so many! There is another Sobel family member – Put em high, put em high… StoneBridge! Legend. I would like to turn back time and meet Donna Summer, but she is no longer with us. So sad. Did I forget someone? Of course! Oh well….

I understand that, in the US, you’ve visited Florida & southern California. Why not NYC?

I’ve been to NYC once. I met a few friends in Connecticut and we spent some time in New York City too. We went out there, off Broadway, clubbing, sight-seeing as well. I only had two days, but it was amazing. I would love to go back. Apart from the above, I’ve been to Las Vegas, saw the Grand Canyon, Death Valley. I’ve been to Southern California many times as my brother lives in the Bay Area of San Francisco. And Florida is very nice during winter for some extra weeks of sun and fun. The Winter Music Conference is always good to go to meet people there. So many other places I would love to see. Can anyone invite me over to New Orleans? Seattle? Boston? Niagra Falls? Myrtle Beach, House Of Blues for an Edwin McCain concert? 

Besides being posted at Queens Our City Radio, this interview will also appear on my blog with a large, international, diverse but strong LGBT readership. What would you like to say to your worldwide LGBT fans specifically, and to all your fans generally?

It’s sad that Mixgeselle is not on a LGBT radio station! It’s time for LGBT followers to request Mixgeselle be aired on LGBT channels, in the States, in the UK, whereever. That would be great!

I have lots of amazing fans, I love them all. Really, I have so many loyal followers from all over the world. This is especially the best thing, doing an international radio show! You can get in touch with so many people across the world:  gay, straight, no matter what color or gender, there are so many awesome people out there and I would love to meet them all! I’ve made some great friends, so I love that. Simply awesome.

 

There seems to be so much drama in the dance music business.  Why do you think that is?

I always try to stay away from drama. But yeah, I agree! As soon as artists are in the charts and commercially successful, it is not politically correct any more to spin their tracks. Don’t ask me why. There is no good or bad music, there are tracks that I like or don’t like. And I don’t look at names and think about that some ‘music experts’ might not be happy with my track selection.Otherwise I stay away from trouble. I know, the music business is a tough one, but we are talking about entertainment and I am trying not to take it too seriously. There are more important things in life to argue about!

Our readers may not know but Andreas is one fierce chef.  Did you ever take classes professionally?

I mentioned it already : I love to eat, and to enjoy cooking. I believe a good meal and a nice glass of wine is part of a great lifestyle. When I see a recipe and it’s mouth-watering, I go to my kitchen and try to prepare it. Everybody can try it, all you need is some patience and time. But it does not have to be fancy and high-end always, every now and then some soul food is nice too. Best of both worlds! Learned it in the U.S.. You guys know how to make an amazing burger! Or chicken tenders with ranch dip. Heaven!

 

Andreas, thanks so much for taking the time out to do this Q&A with me. We look forward to hearing your new work in the new year. Anything we didn’t cover that you might like to shout out to our readers?

You will definitely hear from me in the New Year! 52 times to be precise! And please do me a favor: GET UP AND DANCE while listening to the Weekend Warm Up! Oh, and get in touch!! Add me to Facebook. I want to hear from you. Please! Thanks a lot for having me, my first interview by the way! Appreciate it!

Eric Alan at the XL Get Out! Awards

When Eric Alan accepted his Get Out! LGBT Singer of the Year Award and performed "L.O.V. & E.," his new dance single with his dancers, it was a thrilling show-stopper to the night's festivities. Moments from the event and Eric's performance are captured on the YouTube video below. Barbara Sobel and I were in attendance from Queens Our City Radio for that mid-December event. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-get-out-awards-at-xl-nightclub-nyc.html

I asked Eric (who, prior to his singing career, once worked on an oil rig off the Gulf Coast), a few questions to get his thoughts and impressions about showtime at XL.

Dj Buddy Beaverhausen: How does one go about winning the Get Out! Award for entertainer of the year? Do you know what your competition was like? 
Eric Alan: Honestly, I don't know how I won. It sincerely was unexpected. When I found out about it, I did make a little 'commercial' to request that people vote but with other talented and established artists on the roster, I didn't think I had a chance.

Queens Our City was there, the only press allowed at the rehearsals. Barbara and I were impressed with the precision of the choreography. How much rehearsal did that require all together for you & your back-ups? 
I can't even tell you the man hours that went into that show. We used a lot of the same choreography from the video and previous performances but of course had to adapt it to more dancers and a larger stage, etc. Believe it or not, rehearsals are one of my favorite parts of the whole show process.

What's on your performance and/or recording agenda right now? 
I'm currently working on a video for another song with a more organic, latin vibe to it. Pre-production has begun on the film and I hope to have it released along with the new song soon. It's very jazzy, soulful and definitely a departure from "L. O. V. & E."

Such a pleasure to meet you at Awards. How did I do on the confetti gun? 
It was amazing to meet you and Barbara at the Get Out! awards and great job on the confetti! Thank you! 

 

Exclusive Q&A with Dance-Music Producer Mike Jolly for Queens Our City Radio

Mike Jolly has been very influential on the international dance music scene, as producer and remixer, through his work with Stonebridge and Fierce Angel. He now also joins Sobel Records/Sobel Promotions to continue drawing us to the dancefloors in 2014. He has already presented to Sobel Promotions a fantastic updated mix of the classic Heaven 17 song, "Let Me Go!" It was indeed a joy as well as a privilege, then, to interview this gracious and talented artist for Queens Our City Radio.


DJ Buddy Beaverhausen: Hi, Mike, and thanks for doing this Q&A for us. It looks like you've been very busy lately as remixer/producer. Please fill us in on your latest projects. 

Mike Jolly: Hi Charles! Hey, it's a pleasure, nice to be here! Yes, 2013 was quite a year; it all kicked off of course with the release of my track "In Between" on Firece Angel last March and the momentum just kept building from there. At the moment, I am mainly concentrating on the (re)launch of my label 9th Floor Recording and the first three releases that will be going out starting in March, so that's keeping me pretty busy right now. There are also a couple of very special projects that I am working on including a charity record for Sobel Nation's Rohan Tarry, who is a super talented writer/ producer in the UK who sadly is suffering from MS. http://blabittobeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/12/talk-to-rohan-exclusive-q-with-producer.html

DBB: I interviewed Rohan Tarry just this past December. It was a pleasure. Mike, can you tell us about the current state of your relationships with Fierce Angel, Sobel Nation and, of course, with Stonebridge? 

MJ: It's all good thanks. I think the way that the business is now it's all about collaboration and co-operation so I think the more fronts you can open up the better. I am lucky in that there seems to have been a natural progression in what I have done in that one thing has led to another. For example, my work with Fierce Angel is what introduced me to Stonebridge. I have been lucky enough to have some great one to one time recently with both Stonebridge in Jakarta in December and Mark (Doyle) in Bangkok over new year.I am just waiting for the chance to come to New York now to catch up with Barbara (Sobel)! As a result, I think it's fair to say that plans are afoot for some exciting things on all three fronts this year! 

DBB: What music did you listen to growing up and what music influenced you? 

MJ: I grew up listening to the likes of Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, Human League, OMD, Heaven 17, Tears for Fears and all those other great synth-pop bands of the '80s. Ultimately, it was Gary Numan that first inspired me to buy my first synthesiser and start writing music. I first got into house music when I heard MARRS' "Pump up the Volume" in 1987. I got a bank loan and bought my first sampler shortly after hearing that record and the rest, as they say, is history....

DBB: How did you get your start in the industry? And what was your first production and/or remix? 

MJ: I started making music when I was 15 - that's a long time ago now (laughs) and it's difficult for me now to pin an actual start date on it all! I guess it started getting serious, though, in early 1996 when me and my production partner at the time stumbled into a meeting with Paul Dakeyne (aka Tinman) at Manifesto and were introduced to Judge Jules, as Paul was really digging our demo tape and particularly a mad Acid house/techno track we had done called "Hong Kong Elvis." So started a 6-month roller coaster ride with the record through the clubs and the A&R'ing process at both Manifesto and Positiva who picked up on the track after Jules played it on his KissFM radio show. Although the track was subsequently never released, the whole experience brought a lot of attention and led ultimately to our first release on MCA/Soundproof Recordings, "Grief," which came the following year. Our first official remix also came in 1997 from V2 Recordings when we remixed Moony's first release entitled "All I Want" (although she went under the name Angel Moon back then). 

DBB: Could you expand on discussing your musical background before you ever had a professional career? 

MJ: As I mentioned before, I was really inspired to start making music by the advent of the synthesiser in the early '80s. I had never learned to play a musical instrument properly when I was at school. And when I saw Tubeway Army perform "Are Friends Electric" on Top of The Pops for the first time, I thought "I could do that"! From that point on, I started buying equipment and writing songs, and for the next ten years learned the trade playing in various different bands in pubs and clubs around my home town in the UK and London. 

DBB: What do you think about the state of club music right now? 

MJ: There's been so much said about the great "EDM" debate already I'm not going to add fuel to the fire here! I am a firm believer that the cream always floats to the top - eventually!! 

DBB: What, might we ask, are your personal pet peeves? Musical and otherwise. 

MJ: People who have no consideration for others. Living in Asia, I see that a lot and it bugs me to hell - I don't like selfish people - people that are only looking after number 1. You see that a lot in this business but in every walk of life. You have to give before you can get, but sadly not many people understand that. 

DBB: We understand you are currently based in Singapore. Where were you born and raised, and what led you there?  

MJ: Yes that's right. I was born in a town in South East England called Southend - famous for having the longest pleasure Pier in the World and the greatest football team on the planet (the latter sadly only in my dreams)! I lived there until the company I was working for at the time sent me out to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in 2003. That job finished in 2008 and a year later I moved down to Singapore.

DBB: If you had to describe your musical aesthetic in 5 words or less, how would you put it?  

MJ: Badly I would guess! Sadly I am not a great lyricist which is probably one reason I have ended up as a Producer; I have always found it easier to write the music and let someone far more skilled than me come up with the words. Having said that words fascinate me, particularly in the framework of a song, and I admire greatly those who are gifted in the art of songwriting. If you are gonna push me on the question though, I'll just have to say "Make music that sparkles". 

DBB: We all know from starving artists. We've all been there. Have you ever had to work "day jobs" to support your passion? What were they? 

MJ: Yes, of course. I have done it throughout my career, and am still doing it now! I worked in the City of London as an Insurance broker for 17 years prior to moving to Malaysia in 2001 and I am still involved in that business in Singapore today. People that meet me for the first time are always surprised to find out that I can be involved in two things that, on the face of it, seem poles apart but I tell them that is precisely why it works! 

DBB: I can totally relate to that! Of the work you've done with Stonebridge, do you have any personal favorites? 

MJ: I think the best is yet to come, and knowing how Stoney likes to keep a tight lid on things before they drop, I am going to retain the right to remain silent for now! 

DBB: What can we expect from Mike Jolly in 2014? 

MJ: Lots of good things, I hope. A lot of focus this year will go into getting the label off the ground and that is taking up virtually all my time at the moment. I have signed some really great artists and some great records, so it is hugely exciting for me as much as it is for the artists; it's important for me to help others as much as I can to realise their dreams in music so i have got high hopes for this year. Of course there will be a couple of Mike Jolly tracks and remixes appearing on the label also!! Apart from that, I am sure that my work with Sobel Nation, Fierce Angel and Stonebridge is going to keep me busy so I look forward to coming back this time next year and reporting on another great year! 

DBB: Mike, thank you so much! We adore your work. Is there anything you'd like to shout out to our readers and your fans at this point? 

MJ: Why, thank you so much Charles! It's an absolute pleasure and thanks for some really tough questions! I would just like to say a huge thank you to all your readers and all the listeners of OCR and everybody at the Station for their support and for getting 2014 off to such a great start for me. A special shout out to Barbara Sobel for her tireless work and support and to Chris Colby also. I would like to wish everybody a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year! New York Rocks! Cheers!

Remembering Mel Cheren

Remembering Mel Chernen. His ashes besides those of Larry Levan

Mel Cheren, dubbed "The Godfather of Disco," left us six years ago today at age 74. He helped create the legendary Paradise Garage in Manhattan and co-founded West End Records. That label was a huge success featuring now-classic artists like Karen Young ("Hot Shot"), Taana Gardner ("Heartbeat"), Barbara Mason ("Another Man") and Loose Joints ("Is It All Over My Face?).

In the 1990s, in one of my frequent visits to the late Louis Morheim's Heartbeat dance-music cd/record store on West 10th St in Greenwich Village, I bumped into Mel Cheren (figuratively) without even realizing it. We smiled, said hello and introduced ourselves. "Mel Cheren," is all he said. Not wanting to fawn over this icon, I simply told him how much I admired his work. He grinned and seemed pleased. But this is still, for me, a cherished Cheren memory.

On his death, an article by Douglas Marin in The New York Times read:  Mel Cheren, an innovative record executive who helped start the Paradise Garage, a cavernous focal point of the downtown Manhattan gay disco scene in the 1970s and ’80s, died on Dec. 7 in Manhattan. He was 74.... The cause was pneumonia as a complication of AIDS, said Sherri Eisenpress, the executor of his estate.

The Village Voice called Cheren a "pioneer who made fundamental contributions to disco music and culture, and nurtured its extended community....  'He was somebody who had the remarkable gift of being able to create family in so many different worlds,' said Mark Cheren, across the altar [at the wake] from a life-size photo of his cousin. Beneath it, two urns containing the ashes of Mel and Larry Levan, the legendary Paradise Garage DJ, rested on a table draped with a rainbow flag and flanked by a glittering disco ball. According to writer Brent Nicholson Earle, who hosted the service, Mel kept the remains of Levan after he passed away in 1992."

The Massachusetts-born Cheren was also a tireless supporter of a cure for AIDS. In 1980-1994, he offered the West 22nd Street space at Colonial House Inn to the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, where he once lived and, for 20 years, managed a gay bed and breakfast currently operated by his cousin, Illya Dekhtyar. In a sardonic twist of fate, Mel Cheren contracted the disease later in his life.

Mel Cheren made a difference in the world of music, politically and as a humanitarian. Today, Dj Buddy Beaverhausen and Our City Radio commemorate the anniversary of the passing of this great human being and his legacy.

Beaverhausen's NYC News: The End of Roseland and a Village People Cowboy

Roseland 1961

Recently, I saw Blondie perform at Roseland. http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2013/10/debbie-harry-and-blondie-rule-roseland.html The 1919 roller rink turned ballroom (in the 1920s) turned concert hall (since the 1990s) just announced it will close its doors in April. Another legendary venue gone from the NYC landscape.

Madonna has played there, The Rolling Stones have played Roseland, The Black Party has been thrown there. But soon it will be gone. 

Roseland has for years been a favored New York [place] for a wide range of bands from the early days of rock, through disco, grunge, modern rock, jam, pop, urban and EDM. The venue found a new gear with a $1 million production/rigging renovation in the early ‘90s, funded by [developer Larry] Ginsberg, which led to more high profile bookings of multiple dates on bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and other hot acts when competition in that cap range was not as fierce, reported Billboard. 

News that seems to have escaped the mainstream media about the death of Village People's latest cowboy, AJ Perelli, but Sobel Nation and Our City Radio reported on the incident. http://queens.ourcityradio.com/stations/dance-news/queens-city-radio-sends-condolences-family-friends-village-peoples-aj-perelli 

"May AJ RIP and sing to the Angels," wrote Our City's Program Manager, Barbara Sobel. 

"One of his biggest achievements to date came several months ago when he landed the gig in the role of the Cowboy (originally played by Jeff Olson) in the group,Village People," said Ms Sobel's article in Our City Radio online, written before the tragedy.

The group Village People currently are coming up the dance charts, internationally, with their new single, "Let's Get Back to the Dancefloor," and appeared on this season's premiere episode of Arsenio.  Other members have expressed their grief, fond memories and condolences.

Perelli suffered serious brain damage from a fall or from an attack. As of now, details are unclear. He was 24 years of age.