He says; “Everytime you go to a club and listen to a new track, which gets you, it might be like being kissed by a stranger. Sometimes thats all you need for the moment and sometimes the track is so big to you, that you go and ask the DJ and get the track the next day and listen to it for the next months or years. Like a love affair, which resulted out of that first encounter.” This is an excellent summary for Phonique’s new LP named “Kissing Strangers” which is full of collaborations and a two years of hard work.

He has compiled the album and chose the best fitting tracks while working for some of them for months. And the result is astonishing. With the likes of Louie Austen, Kiloo, Ian Whitelaw, Gui Boratto, Georg Levin, H.O.S.H. and many other names, Phonique has build up a new exciting sonique universe of his’.

I really love this album and fort he ones who are enjoying Phonique tracks with a lot of vocals will love this album. For sure it is one of the most delicious albums of this summer. We had the chance tp ask him questions while he is in Brasil, touring. Here is the Phonique interview.

This third album seems and sounds like so much fun. Did you enjoyed or exhausted more while doing it? What is the taste you get now, right before the release date?
Producing music is always fun. Especially if you have a great partner to work with. Of course if at the end of the album production process you go back to the first track from 2 years ago and work on it again to be sure that it still fits style and soundwise to the newer tracks. Its a bit more work than fun, but you always get rewarded in the end by a sweet product.

How long did it take you to finish and select all tracks?
About 2 years.

Do you have a favorita track in the album? For example mine is your remix of Ofrin. it is for me one of the most delicious remixes you have ever did...
I am glad you say that as it wasn't so easy to convince the label why I want a remix on the album. But I really love it too and I thought it would have been a perfect album track, so why not trying to make it happen. My favorite is “Amy's Heart”. I listened to it over 200 times and I am still not tired of Ruben’s sweet voice.

I am curious about the art direction (those girls) and the name "Kissing Strangers". Can you talk about these?
The artwork developed when meeting with the photographer Alex Gnädinger, who is one of the highest profiled persons in this business making world wide campaigns for Adidas and others. He is an old friend of mine and for the last two albums I always worked with his assistents for the artwork or the press pictures.

This time he found a free slot and really wanted to work on this. The artwork somehow developed out of the album title. The album title was in my head for a long time as you can compare it easily with music. Everytime you go to a club and listen to a new track, which gets you, it might be like being kissed by a stranger.

Sometimes thats all you need for the moment and sometimes the track is so big to you, that you go and ask the DJ and get the track the next day and listen to it for the next months or years. Like a love affair, which resulted out of that first encounter.

What are your plans for the summer. What will you be doing and where?
In the past years the booking situation changed a bit. Now bookings are coming in for next month or so, while back in the days you would already got booked 5-8 months ahead. So I can't really say what's happening in the summer. Right now I am touring Brasil and Chile for 3 weeks and we will also have a little label showcase in Kazantip and at the end of the summer I might do an Australian tour.

Is Ibiza on focus too during the summer? Where is the best spot for you to spend the summer both as a DJ and as a tourist?
Although i won this ibiza 'deep house' dj award in 2008, the last time i played there was 2007 and i don't think anything is scheduled yet for ibiza. The best time to spend the summer as DJ or tourist is definetly Berlin. We have so many great clubs here and during the summer we have those open air spots like Bar 25, Cub Der Visionäre, The Berghain Garden or The Weekend Terrace.

What about remix treatments and other solo EPs from you?
We just did a remix for Louie Austen’s new album and we will have a Tigerskin vs Phonique split 12" on my label 'Ladies & Gentlemen'.

What do you think about the current deep house scene and music?
I think its really great. There is so much good music out there these days and deep house is doing a great job from clubs like Tresor to Panorama Bar. I am really glad about it.

What about Dessous' Best Kept Secrets?
I don't know. Steve Bug knows all the secrets and every now and then he likes to share some with us in releasing those EPs, hahaha!

Would you like to come again to İstanbul? what are your memories about our city?
İstanbul is one of the few citys, where I always spend more than just one night when I get booked there. Because I really love this city. I am an urban guy and I love these huge cities like İstanbul, Sao Paulo or Tokyo. And I am a fan of the Turkish cuisine.

How is life in Berlin these days, here is too hot!
When I left for the Brazil tour it was still raining a lot, but I am sure when I come back it will be nice, but too hot, that only happens 2-5 days a year.

Would you like to say something to your Turkish fans regarding your new album?
I hope to see you this summer for some kind of album release. I remember, that you guys really know how to party!


Interview: Christopher Çolak
Photography: Alex Gnädinger
12 June 2010