Podcast
interview
EPM PODCAST 181 comes from Roland Casper. Roland began his DJ career in Cologne in the late 80s and by the mid 90s had made numerous classic techno records. As part of Psycho Thill and with his own Essence label, Roland’s production output his produced many moments of classic techno, as recently highlighted on his V-Series release for EPM, re-mastering prized gems from his extensive back catalogue. Here we find Roland in blistering action, delivering a sound formed from classic, driving techno with an acidic-funk edge as he drops tracks from Orbe, Pfirter, Oscar Mulero, Mathys Lenne, Inigo Kennedy, Alexander Johansson & Mattias Fridell, R.M.K., Shlomi Aber & Kashpitzky, Adam Beyer (remixed by Speedy J) and more.
Roland began his career as a DJ at the innovative and now legendary Rave Club in Cologne in 1988 and 2 years later, The Space Club opened with Roland as resident DJ. In 1992 Roland moved to the Warehouse in Cologne, where, as a resident DJ, he mixed alongside the most prominent DJs of the scene and began to develop an international reputation and started the Psycho Thrill night with a partner at the Ballhaus in Bonn. In 1994, The Warehouse closes, but Psycho Thrill develops a huge cult following and an unparalleled reputation. In 1996, Roland started his own label, Essence, in cooperation with Roadrunner. Besides Roland's own releases, the label is primarily set up as a forum for newcomers to the German Techno and Acid underground. In the course of the first year, thirteen 12" singles and the Psycho Thrill compilation are released to great critical acclaim and Roland's name is put well and truly on the global map.
Roland Casper’s ‘EPMVS03’ EP brings 6 tracks together from Roland's Essence label that were originally released in the mid '90s and now remastered and available digitally for the first time.
EPM Podcast 181 – Track list
01. Orbe - Exelon
02. Ricardo Garduno - Falling Straight Down
03. Mathys Lenne - Rupture
04. Not Charlie - En La Pesadilla
05. Pfirter - Turning Point
06. Vxlr - Upfront
07. Roland Casper - Play Hooky
08. Oscar Mulero - Burning With The Fires Of Orc
09. Inigo Kennedy - Mercurial Plains
10. Alexander Johansson & Mattias Fridell - Fuffens
11. R.M.K - Release
12. Orlando Voorn - Swingtech
13. Augusto Taito - Excessive Tendencies
14. Shlomi Aber & Kashpitzky - Bazement
15. Norbak - Repete
16. Juri Heidemann - Warus
17. Adam Beyer - Ignition Key (Speedy J Remix)
Q&A with Roland Casper
Is this mix pretty reflective of what you are playing now, or just what you went with at the time?
The mix is what I play in clubs right now. And as I'm always looking for old music (1978-1988) on youtube, I came across the Speedy J remix by Ignition Key by chance. I also have it on vinyl and still love the song.
Can you remember when you first became aware of music as more than just having the radio on?
It was in the mid-70s when I became more and more interested in music. I bought singles by Queen and disco samplers from K-Tel. I was particularly influenced by Dutch radio at that time. They played music there that I felt was never played here in Germany.
What were the first clubs that you started going to?
The very first club I remember was Showboat 2000, where they still played the music with announcements of the individual tracks. There was no emphasis on mixing records. My first clubs that I went to for the music were Coconut and Moroco. Both in Cologne. I first got a mixtape from Coconut, or as it turned out later, from Front (Hamburg), which is still my favourite mixtape today. The choice of music and the mix are perfect. The mixtape and its DJ (Klaus Stockhausen) were later also the reason for travelling to Front in Hamburg again and again. He's my only idol.
What inspired you to get more involved and start producing your own music?
I thought about producing music as early as 1989, but I abandoned it because I didn't have the money for a studio or the opportunity to find a singer. At that time I was playing more music with vocals. It wasn't until 1992 that Nikolai Kaeßmann and Armin Lamers, who I knew from the Warehouse Club in Cologne, persuaded me to go into the studio with them. We finished the song ‘Rainbow On A Stick’ that day. After that I realised that I wanted to buy my own musical instruments.
How did Psycho Thrill come about?
Psycho Thrill was created by Claus Bachor. It was a party series that he started at the Ballhaus in Bonn in 1992. He invited me to play there. From then on I was a regular guest DJ. In Cologne at 42 d.p., after which we left the Ballhaus, we continued Psycho Thrill together.
How do you look back on those years and your own Essence label now?
They were very nice years. Not everyone is allowed to turn their hobby into a career. As for my label, I would like to thank Gottfried Engels and Louis Spillmann for making it possible. Gottfried in particular was a long-time supporter. As far as the music on my label is concerned, it's nice to see that it can still be played today. I am proud to have discovered Polygen. Their music was rediscovered and played in the 2010s. Too bad they didn't produce anything after Essence ended.
When you made your album ‘To the Naked Eye’ (2001) did you have to take a different approach as to releasing an EP?
No, I designed it similar to an EP. A little bit of everything. Like a week in the studio.
In the late 2000s you released several EPs with Sorgenkint on JR Music. How did this collaboration come about?
I met Jochen at a party in the 90s. I liked him straight away. We played at parties again and again over the years. And at first I thought that the kind of music he produced wouldn't suit me, but he taught me otherwise. It was a lot of fun making music with him because he was much more open to other styles of techno than I thought. There are still some unreleased tracks, but I'm not sure if I have them all. He was planning a remix record on vinyl but unfortunately his death intervened. I miss him.
What are your current production plans for the rest of the year?
There are no plans this year. I'm just familiarising myself with the new/old DAW because I haven't produced anything for a few years. Last year I decided to start again and rebuild my studio. I have a few new tracks, but they are still in the experimental stage.
You are given the keys to your favourite club for the night. Who's playing?
Klaus Stockhausen
Jeff Mills
Luke Slater
Ben Klock
Oscar Mulero
Truncate
RELATED LINKS:
https://soundcloud.com/epm-music/epm-podcast-181-roland-casper
https://www.mixcloud.com/EPM-Music/epm-podcast-181-roland-casper/
https://soundcloud.com/roland-casper
https://epmmusic.bandcamp.com/album/epmvs03
