Wankelmut Interview

Wankelmut is the kind of success story that you’d see in a Hollywood biopic. Just two years ago he was a philosophy student who DJ’d on the side, but then his remix of ‘One Day/Reckoning Song’ blew up and became one of the biggest House anthems of 2012. We spoke to the man himself about his hometown of Berlin, his remixes for 2013, and exactly how he came up with that name…

Hi Jacob,
How are you today? Where in the world are you right now?
I am in Berlin right now working in the studio on new tracks and a remix for my Get Physical Music label-mate, Fabio Gianelli.

So ‘My Head is a Jungle’ has just dropped, and I absolutely love it, but what’s the response been like to the track in general?
Musically I am very satisfied with it. Good production, great vocals and also very good remixes. Couldn’t do better. ‘My Head Is A Jungle’ was the follow up to the 1.4 Million selling remix of ‘One Day’ so that’s quite a challenge. Overall with platinum in Italy and Top 30 in Germany, I am very happy with this next chapter in my release history.

What was it like working with Emma Louise? How did the collaboration come about?
After discovering her music and making contact, it went very well. She did the vocals on my first instrumental layout and it worked out quite good from there. I really like the final outcome.

Obviously ‘One Day’ was massive too! What led you to using the Asaf Avidan & The Mojos sample?
That was a very naïve approach. I was introduced to the track by a friend whilst on a US road trip. Went home – sampled the vocals and the guitar – put it together in one night – uploaded it on Soundcloud. That’s it. Thank God the legal issues which followed have been sorted out professionally.

You create very melodic tracks with a clear narrative, which sort of separates you from a lot of Electronic producers. What music inspires you?
Different sources from Rock to Techno. I have a certain feel for my sound on each track or remix and I try hard to express that feeling with all the technology.

You started off in Berlin, a cosmopolitan city with its underground music and art scene. If there were three places/things our readers should do whilst there, what would you suggest?
That’s a difficult one because people have huge expectations arriving in Berlin. Not that easy to fulfill that. I would suggest:
Berghain – for a legendary club
Hardwax – for a legendary record shop
Friedrichshain – for a great area to visit

You’re playing at Le Name Festival in France soon, what are the crowds like over there?
France is a very good turf for Wankelmut. The music was quite successful and the crowds in the clubs really appreciate my work. It really works very well for me with the French people.

We have to ask… why “Wankelmut”?
My favourite word in the German language. The classic “two sides to every story” phrase. Quite remarkable and unique from the current point of view. Nothing was seriously planned when picking that DJ name years ago.

Have you made any new discoveries of late that we should download?
All the work done by Konstantin Sibold  – biggest newcomer for 2013. Check his track ‘Madeleine’ for Innervisions and his remixes for DJ Yellow, Jazzanova and Chasing Kurt.

Any more collaborations in the pipeline? Is there anyone you’d love to work with in particular?
I just finished a new EP for ‘Get Physical’, which will be remixed by Ian Pooley. I remixed Bo Saris and Fabio Gianelli. More stuff will be out by the end of the year if things go on as planned.

What’s your plan for later this year?
The booking schedule is almost finished until the end of the year so I am pretty busy with the DJ-ing. Might touch down in USA for a few dates. Apart from that it’s all over Europe.

Thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us, and have a great time at the festival!

By Hannah Shakir