[Rewind 2016]
Oliver Koletzki Interview
Sonus, Crotia + Aus Tour 2016 Interview
While the esteemed Berlin-based artist, DJ and Stil vor Talent label-owner Oliver Koletzki can look back onto an impressive career since his 2005 debut release ‘Der Mückenschwarm’ on Sven Väth’s Cocoon, he challenges the status quo with every single new production and set, drawing from an ever-evolving plethora of styles and moods. Inspired by his extensive travels around the globe, which have taken him from the deserts of Burning Man, Rainbow Serpent and – this spring – Coachella to the beaches of Tulum, Tel Aviv, Ibiza and beyond, Oliver’s output shines with the maturity of an artist at the top of his game and the playfulness of a youthfully curious mind.
Testament to the fact were his last albums ‘The Arc of Tension’ (2017), ‘Fire in the Jungle’ (2019) and ’Made of Wood‘ (2021) – a trilogy exploring the musical space between organic psychedelia and synthetic floor-focus. Meanwhile, Oliver has continuously enabled, fostered and furthered the artistic paths of countless musicians. Looking back over the past 17 years, Township Rebellion, Reinier Zonneveld, KlangKuenstler or HVOB are just a few of many names that link to his label Stil vor Talent. Now, in 2023, Oliver Koletzki is set to release his 10th longplayer ‘Trip to Sanity’ and embark on a live concert tour, marking yet another milestone at the forefront of contemporary electronic music.
We grabbed some time with German DJ and producer, Oliver Koletzki, to discuss his collaboration with Niko Schwind, his appearance at Sonus Festival in Croatia this August, and his approach to music and life.
Hi Oliver, whereabouts in the world are you right now?
I’m on the northern island of New Zealand playing a small hippie festival called Shipwrecked.
How’s 2016 been for you so far? It’s been fantastic.
I’m doing a mixture of holiday and touring since the first week of January. Thailand, Bali, Australia, New Zealand and back to Germany next week. Life is good to me.
Your most recent EP ‘Black Walls’ is in collaboration with your label’s Niko Schwind. How did this project come about?
We’ve been really good friends for over 10 years and have the same taste and understanding of music. I wanted to start a new more techy live act where I can play all the melodies live on stage. So I asked Niko to help me and we produced the first songs two years ago.
How different or similar was the production process for “Black Walls” from your previous solo efforts?
We are producing in Niko’s studio with Ableton, so this is a big difference because I’ve been working with Cubase for 25 years. But when it comes to ideas and creativity we are a perfect team with a constant flow.
Do you have any plans for solo releases or new collaborations this year? What kind of creative direction do you have in mind?
I started to work on my sixth solo album which will be released in spring 2017. I think this will be much more mystical and dark than the other ones. With Niko, I will make a whole album, too.
We have to congratulate you on Stil vor Talent’s 10th year! Are there any upcoming projects that you could share with us?
Thanks! Our birthday compilation, of course, coming out 1st April with 25 exclusive tracks of all our artist.
You have some amazing festivals lined up for this year including Sonus Festival. Zrce Beach in Croatia seems like a beautiful location. Are you excited?
Yes, of course. I only played once over there and it was amazing. Beautiful beaches and a crowd that knows how to party.
The line-up looks great with yourself, Seth Troxler and Apollonia. Do you think you’ll get any time to check any of the acts out whilst you’re there?
For sure. I’m staying the whole five days. Really looking forward to hearing Dixon, Seth and Ricardo.
Where is the most amazing location you’ve played?
Last week I was playing deep in the jungle of Byron Bay, Australia. That was impressive and inspiring. Just like Rainbow Serpent Festival the weekend before.
Finally, how do you stay inspired and relaxed balancing your own music, collaborations and business?
I have been DJing for 23 years. The last 10 years I played 150 shows a year. Last year I finally started to make a change and took much more free weekends and holidays. Since then I have a good and healthy balance.
Catch Oliver Koletzki at Sonus Festival 2016!
Get your tickets now at www.sonus-festival.com
[Rewind 2011]
Oliver Koletzki You are producing music since you are 12 years old, first on C64, then an Amiga and you started DJing when you were 18 years old. Looking back at your extensive musical history and taking your great talent in account, why did the world actually have to wait until 2005 to really hear about Oliver Koletzki?
I never was confident enough to let anyone hear my productions and I would have never thought of presenting my music to record labels. The first 10 years of my music-producing-career only my closest friends were allowed to hear my songs. This changed in 2005 and I pressed 500 vinylcopies of “Mückenschwarm” and delivered it to several record-stores in Germany.
You had your breakthrough with the hit ‘Mückenschwarm’ which got pushed by Sven Väth. I heard this song was more a crazy idea after a long night at Berlin’s Watergate. What is the truth behind this story?
That´s actually true! Back then I used to live very close to the Watergate – and it was (and still is) one of my favourite clubs.
After a long night full of inspiration, I walked home and started producing music – I was more playing around than focussing. … but within a few hours the track was nearly finished.
Stil Vor Talent – For our English speaking readers I would translate it with ‘Style Over
Talent’. The name says a lot. But what’s the philosophy of your label?
When I was young, people often told me that I am musically not talented because I couldn´t sing. but still I felt that music is the way to express myself. So talent is what is “given to you” by nature. In contrary, style is something that you have to develop yourself -and that´s what I did over the years. Also, it is important to me that all Stil vor Talent artists do have their own style.
Your label Stil Vor Talent is dedicated to push new artists. How are you doing this? Also Australian DJ Murat Kilic signed at Stil Vor Talent. How did you meet him and how does it work cross-continental?
Yes, it´s close to my heart to give young artists a platform.
I met Murat on my first Autralia Tour three years ago and he offered me some tracks that I really liked. Since then we see each other twice a year – I visit to Australia, he visits Berlin. The rest happens online.
Since 2010 you are touring with The Koletzkis. Are you performing the two latest
albums ‘Großstadtmärchen’ and ‘Lovestoned’ on stage?
How is it when you do live gigs with The Koletzkis – instead of just you, how many are you on stage and what are the instruments you are using?
I toured Germany twice with The Koletzkis and it was a great success – sold out! I wanted to perform Großstadtmärchen and Lovestoned live, so I had to start a bandproject – and I simply asked my best friends. Chris van Liebling plays the bass, Björn Störig plays the drums, I play the E-Piano and Fran is on the microphone. Djing can make you feel quite lonely, so I love to go touring with my band!
In 2000 you moved from Braunschweig, a medium sized city in the middle of Germany, to Berlin. 9 years later you produce the album ‘Großstadtmärchen’ which sounds like a homage to Berlin. What inspired you to produce this album and how do you feel about Berlin after travelling the whole world?
Berlin is a melting pot of so many different styles of music, arts, creativity, cultures and lifestyles. It’s a very tolerant city and people are open-minded.
The nightlife in Berlin is very unique. After I travelled the world, it’s still my favourite city and it became my home.
A transition from Techno and House towards more pop-influenced sounds can be
noticed when listening to your 3 albums ‘Get Wasted (2007)’, ‘Großstadtmärchen (2009)’ and ‘Lovestoned (2010)’ in a chronological order. Does your musical focus shift away from Techno towards Pop and what does it mean for Oliver Koletzki as DJ?
I wrote Großstadtmärchen because I became a little bit bored by minimal Techno and I wanted to set myself a new goal and produce an other kind of music. Lovestoned sounds even more pop-influenced because it was written and recorded in this special mood beeing lovestoned. Now I feel I want to go back to more housy productions.
Last year you released the album ‘Lovestoned’ together with your partner Fran. You met her online, when you were looking for a singer for ‘Großstadtmärchen’. What induced you to produce this album ‘Lovestoned’ and does it connect to your life?
Fran and I fell in love and it felt like the most natural thing to produce an album together. It was fun for us and we captured the first year of our relationship in this music.
Interview by Kerstin Keimling
Oliver Koletzki @ Civic Underground, Sydney – Essential Events Management
[Fast Forward 2024]
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