mobilee records: The Past, The Present and The Future ft. Anja Schneider and Rodriguez Jr.

Photo via 102 Club

The brainchild of Anja Schneider and Ralf Kollmann, mobilee records has been around for 11 years now. The project founded in Berlin blurs the boundaries of dance music’s more underground genres, bridging the gap between familiar and innovative soundscapes with effortless precision.

Perhaps unexpectedly what begun as a label has since grown into much more: a hub for music, well-curated events and artist management that is able to incorporate the past, the present and the future of house and techno under one uniformed umbrella. If you take a look at mobilee records’ extensive discography you will find releases from names such as Solomun, Maya Jane Coles, Audiofly, Miss Kittin, Pan-Pot and Nicole Moudaber sprinkled in between a list of mobilee core-team producers the caliber of Rodriguez Jr., Lee Van Dowski, Re.You, Customer aka Alan Fitzpatrick & Reset Robot, And.Id, Gel Abril and Ray Okpara.

mobilee’s focus on label showcases has introduced the world of dance music to some of the most fun and exciting events in our current scene, beginning with the annual Sonar rooftop event and #LetGo parties, and ending with the many one-off collaborations that see mobilee team up with other successful labels for joint events throughout the world.

This coming Saturday November 12th, mobilee are bringing their #LetGo series to the heart of Downtown Los Angeles with a special label showcase featuring imprint boss Anja Schneider, one of mobilee’s most talked-about talents in Rodriguez Jr., a live performance from production duo Dance Spirit and a back-to-back opening set from Kevin Anderson and RYBO. Tickets for the event, which will take place at the Globe Theatre from 9pm until 4am, are on sale via Eventbrite.

Rodriguez Jr.’s latest EP Chain Reaction is scheduled for release this coming 11th November on mobilee records.

mobilee has now been around for 11 years, congratulations! Did you foresee the label expanding this much when you founded it?

Anja: In the beginning there was no masterplan. It was taking the chance to built a platform for young talented artists and to express myself. Sometimes it’s good to go with the flow, be inspired and do everything with passion and love. Even if it’s a real business now and times changed its important to live your dreams and stay with this naivety and fun like a child.

The artists that have released with you can be found on a wide spectrum of the underground music soundscape, ranging from techno to house and sub-genres in between. Does mobilee have a sound? What is the selective process in deciding what to release?

Anja: I’m very happy that mobilee doesn’t have this specific sound. Everything is possible if it’s good and produced with knowledge and ideas and creativity. I like dance music that covers all facets and times. And a mobilee track hopefully can make you always dance; no matter in what time and circumstances.

Photo by Kerstin Zu Pan

Your label showcases have been come a matter of pride I am sure. What can attendees expect at a Mobilee party that they won’t find elsewhere?

Anja: I think our big advantage is the massive respect for each other and the fun we have. All the artists don’t see each other much and when we are coming together its always a special moment and there’s a vibe happening, where we contribute and exchange music and develop ideas. The best ideas are always coming in special moments when we share this. It’s important for us and gives us this special energy. I hope the crowd feels this too.

Spectral Sound, Rekids, Diynamic and Knee Deep in Sound are just some of the labels you’ve collaborated with for parties. What is your idea behind such fusions instead of just focusing on mobilee-only showcases?

Anja: If you are not opened you get stuck at some point. We are all on the same page and it’s good to sometimes leave your bubble to get inspired. If you can do this with friends its even better.

The #LetGo series touches down in LA on November 12th. Can you tell us a little behind the creation of the #LetGo parties? Why the name?

Did you ever ‘let go’ of yourself and everything?? It’s necessary to free your mind and spirit.

Photo by Kerstin Zu Pan

You will be joined on stage by Rodriguez Jr. and Dance Spirit. The former is now a pivotal part of the mobilee team and one of the most in-demand live acts of the moment. How did he first catch your eye and what does his prowess in the studio and in front of a crowd mean to you as a label-head?

I know Oliver already since more then 20 years. I meet him as ‘The Youngsters’ when he was on F Communications, the label of Laurent Garnier. We became directly friends and they even delivered the first remix for my very first records on Pias back in the day. It’s a friendship for life that’s for sure and we are going all the way together in both friendship and our careers and will always be there for each other.

Finally one last Q: the United States is still behind Europe in the acceptance of more underground dance music sounds. While historically there haven’t been many large-scale festivals that cater to techno and house and labels throw far less showcases, mobilee’s arrival could be a sign of things to change. What’s your take on the US at the moment and for the near future?

I find the US more and more interesting. I can feel a completely new energy there and a new interesting scene. I love the way people put in so much effort to go out or even do a party. Excitement is a very big and honest word in this club and party scene. It’s great to be a part of it all and my excitement is very big to come to LA soon.

Olivier, defining you as “eclectic” is perhaps even limiting to some sense as you draw inspiration from such a wide range of sounds and are able to produce just as diverse a selection of music. Is there a specific artist RIGHT NOW though that drives you to do more/better in the studio?

Rodriguez Jr.: They are quite a lot of artists who inspire me right now – it’s such a great time for electronic music in terms of fusions and experimentations. The first artist coming to my mind is DJ Koze because he has the technically incredible ability of producing beautiful rich emotional material with various samples coming from anywhere. Exactly the kind of challenge I am trying to achieve in my forthcoming album. It’s like a patchwork. Mano le Tough or Âme are also major influences for different reasons. And I am also really into Bob Moses’s music at the moment: I like this bridge between pop and electronic music, with this beautiful dreamlike twist.

France is a never-ending pool of musical talent, and that trend has been continuing with electronic music for the best part of the last thirty years. Are there any up-and-coming artists from your country we should watch out for?

Rodriguez Jr.: These last past couple of years have been so hectic in terms of travels that I haven’t spent so much time in France. I am kind of disconnected with the music scene over there to be honest, so that’s difficult for me to talk about new upcoming artists. Feeling closer to older acts such as Agoria or Laurent Garnier who are still delivering the goods!

What is your favorite piece of gear to produce with?

Rodriguez Jr.: I still use a lot of vintage equipment in the studio. It’s not only about the sound but also because of the physical connection you have with these instruments. You can actually physically interact with the machine and feel the electricity vibrating inside. It’s kind of a sensual relationship, like the one you can have with a guitar or a piano. The Roland Jupiter 6 and the MiniMoog have been at the core of my studio setup for ages.

What is your favorite piece of gear to play live with? If they are different, why?

Rodriguez Jr.: My live set up is totally different because that’s not the same kind of intension. I try to avoid being surrounded by loads of gadget, so I only rely on a couple of controllers, my drum machine and a keyboard for improvising. The most important is the interaction with the crowd. The central piece is obviously my laptop computer running Ableton Live. But my favorite machine is the Roland TR8 drum machine. It’s loaded with sounds from all these old legendary drum machines (TR808, 909, 606, 707 and so on) and gives me different options for improvising, making things either deeper or harder.

You’ve become an integral part of the Mobilee family, a testament to the diversity of the label’s sound. Can you tell us why, as a producer and DJ, you found this particular chemistry with the Mobilee team?

Rodriguez Jr.: That’s basically a trust relationship. We know each other for such a long while, so they let me produce whatever I want. That’s a chance because I couldn’t refrain myself to do different kind of things, from deep house music to electronica or techno. I respect the fact mobilee has such a wide spectrum of genres and influences and am very proud to be part of this chemistry.

Is it different when you perform at a Mobilee showcase versus a solo show? How so?

Rodriguez Jr.: After so many years, we know each other so well music wise that we can actually connect each set and tell a story together all along a night, from the beginning to the end. That’s a fantastic feeling, really, and I guess the audience can feel it.

You recently stated that Watergate is your favorite club… and you’ve played many. Do you have a favorite venue in the US?

Rodriguez Jr.: There are so many cool venues in the US now! But the first one coming to my mind is Public Works in SF: the crowd, the sound system, the two different rooms, the vibe, the crew… It’s like performing at home with a bunch of friends. It’s definitely one of my 10 favorite clubs in the world, alongside Watergate in Berlin, or D-Edge in Sao Paulo.

What are your views of the electronic music scene in the States?

Rodriguez Jr.: It’s getting extremely exciting at the moment. I’ve been touring the States quite a lot during the last past two years, and I’ve been amazed about the diversity of clubs and festivals, even in unexpected small towns. It’s not only about New York, Miami or Los Angeles now. Furthermore, I feel very close to people such as Robot Heart, Desert Heart… lots of burners. And somehow I have met the people I create my music for.

Connect with mobilee records: Online | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

Connect with Anja Schneider: Resident Advisor | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

Connect with Rodriguez Jr.: Resident Advisor | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud