Das Sechste   super & bleifrei

ouk interview: Abe Duque

Loboman

The world may be harsh and it might be hard to escape from these stressful situations. But then, some lobos definitely donīt seem to take the world very seriously. They always know how to brighten up your day and never seem to stop fooling around. But when it comes to playing those lovely records, nothing will stop their concentration. Abe Duque is not only a lobo, but a very sexy one, too. And he sure knows how to spin the vinyl.

ouk: Patrick Pulsinger told us, it was him, who introduced you to the disko B people.

The Duque: Actually, a guy named Constantin. But, hey, why are so many people asking me the same questions? They are asking all the same questions. How did I meet Patrick Pulsinger? He must be a really important guy. Well, we were in new York and there was this woman named Moneypenny, who was a friend of mine. Patrick was working for a record label called Vortex and I met him thru her.

ouk: So how did you get in contact with disko B?

The Duque: Well, I knew Pulsinger, I knew Tunakan, I knew Constantin, all the guys from Vienna. Constantin was doing my bookings in that time and he was the one who booked me at Ultraschall and there I met Upstart for the first time. First I thought Upstart didnīt like me and I thought it didnīt really work out, but actually it did work out fine at the end.

ouk: What about the story of Peter Wacha comming to New York, which is printed in the Kirlian - Chicken wings and beef fried rice booklet? Is it true?

The Duque:

Thatīs so funny. Except for some facts, where it says "a 85 dollars cab-ride" and silly things like that, it was completely true though. He came to New York for a few days, but we never got a chance to discuss anything. We had so much things to do and smoke, there just was no time. But yes, the essence of the story is true.

ouk: Was that the time when you started producing?

The Duque: No, thatīs not true. I started producing 14 years ago. But at that time, I was trying to get away from the session-music. I was working as a studio musician sometimes. At that time I really had the confidence to make my own productions.

ouk: Your style is very experimental.

The Duque: It has been. Now Iīm having a hard time, I have to admit. I am not as prolific as before. It is really hard for me, now. There was a time, were I could sit down and start making a track in a day, or even a few hours. I could say: "Yeah, I did this track in 20 minutes". Now I sit down and nothing happens. And I sit down again and nothing happens. Then I sit again and nothing happens. And at the 10th time, something finally happens. So it is a little hard these days. Producing with the Rancho Relaxo guys was fun though. It is really fun to work together with them. It went like butter. Almost like magic. But this doesnīt happen all the time.

ouk: So did you always listen to electronic music?

The Duque: No, I never did listen to electronic music, only. There is no real pattern in my way of listening to music. I listen to jazz, metal, whatever is cool.

ouk: How about country?

The Duque: Naaa, I must admit that country never really got me. No country, sorry.

ouk: What was it like to produce music in these days, compared to 1997?

Was there a different feeling?

The Duque: There were less people doing it. It was a transition period and a lot of people treated artists like they treated them in the old days, which was a little warmer, u.k.w.i.s. And there was less people doing electronic music. Now everybody and their grandmothers are doing it. You know, my grandmother just bought a MC 303 the other day.

ouk: But isnīt there some variety comming up, nowadays? Just think of Cheap in Austria, or Clear in the U.K. or even M.A.W. whith their Nuyorican Soul thing. Musicians are trying to create their own things again.

The Duque: I hope so, I really hope so. Especially the Cheap people are doing a great job. They are one of the few that are trying to break out of this cliché music, that becomes common now. And to me, Patrick is the best producer around. He really nows how to work those machines. But the french musicians are rising up too. There will be some good french productions in the future.

ouk: So what is the "hot-spot to be" in the future?

The Duque: I was in Slovenia about a month ago and I was really impressed by the Slovenians. They are doing something special there. Itīs all brand new and fresh. They are a little awkward, but itīs cool. The East is definitely rising now. Itīs time for the East.

ouk: Have you been to Moscow?

The Duque: No, not yet. Itīs gonna come though. And I heard they have really beautiful girls there.

ouk: Do you have more bookings in Germany, or Europe in general, than in the States?

The Duque: Thatīs a good question. Since disko B does my bookings, I get booked a lot in Germany. We did 4 tours and 90 percent of the places I played where in Germany. But on the last tour, I was everywhere. France, Scottland, Slovenia, and so on. I do get to see more countries now. And there is definitely more money in Germany than in the States. I used to be booking director for Limelight, a big, disgusting club. So I know these things. It is not usual to see a 1000 dollars. We just play records, u.k.w.i.s. If you are a hometown guy, a regular hometown dj, the usual fee is 200 dollars, maybe 250 dollars. If you are really good, 300 dollars. If you are something so special, maybe you will get 500 dollars. But see, in the States you can buy a lot of things for 350 dollars!

ouk: Do you belive in aliens?

The Duque: Do I believe in aliens? You guys like asking weird questions to people you donīt know, huh? Well, I never met an alien, so I canīt tell you if they are there or not. Itīs like believing in pygmys. Sure people showed me pictures of pygmys, but I never saw or met a pygmy, u.k.w.i.s. So I donīt care, itīs not my story. Neil Landstrumm is crazy about aliens. He loves them. I think heīs waiting to be taken by aliens. But no, I donīt believe in aliens.