Sebo K is signed to Anja Schnieder’s Berlin based record label, Mobillee and is a well respected DJ and Producer in Berlin. His release in the summer on Mobillee `Back up Vol 1′, explores the depths of underground house music. He is scheduled to play a sold out UK gig for Issst at a secret Warehouse venue in East London on Saturday 3rd November alongside another top producer, Danton Eeprom. Sebo is definitely one to watch on the scene at the moment, and is not only a great DJ, but has fired out, and is still firing out, some A1 productions- pretty impressive considering he is also a full time student…

What is your background? Where did you grow up?

I was born in a small town in western Germany but I moved to Berlin when I was 4 years old. So the place where I was growing up was Berlin.

How did you first get into music/ who were your main musical influences in creating a musical career for yourself?

I was always into music. I had piano lessons when I was a child and when I was a teenager I was very interested in Hip Hop but also in lots of other music.

How did you get involved in the club scene, and where was your first ever gig?

In the age of 17 I started djing. A friend of mine knew Alec Empire and he was searching for some DJs for his Bass Terror Parties. So I came in touch with him and became a resident.

How do you describe your style and sound?

What I do at the moment is House and Techno music. I love it when it has a soulful deep vibe and I’m influenced by any music I like which is not necessarily electronic music. But for sure a main influence for my sound is the early Chicago and Detroit Sound.

When did you join Mobillee, and what attracted it to you as a label?

Anja Schneider who runs the Label is an old friend of mine. I already worked with her as a producer for two 12″s on PIAS and when she told me, that she wanted to start the label, there was no doubt for me to be down with it.

What do you think are the components for a really good record label?

The music just has to be good! ; )

How does the scene in Berlin differ to that of London from your experiences?

The Minimal Sound has been very popular in Berlin for a while now and a lot of the leading Minimal producers and DJs are from Berlin or live in Berlin now. But actually it’s also very popular in London too now so I think the difference is not that big at the moment.

What excites you musically at the moment?

I’m a bit bored of 100% minimal sets. Don’t get me wrong- I love minimal and I also play a lot of minimal stuff in my sets but when it’s only that I miss the soul at some point. So I’m happy that there are a lot of good deep house tracks at the moment.

Tells us about your recent compilation release, Back up Vol 1

The compilation features a lot of deep House tracks. I wanted to do a mix which isn’t too temporary and includes all the actual hits. My idea was to make a mix that is still nice when you listen to it in two years.

Which other producers do you feel are up and coming on the scene/ the ones to watch?

Actually there are too many to mention but to name a few:
2000 and One / Shinedoe, Dial Records, Objektivity Records / Ibadan, Daniel Stefanik, Alex Under, Matthew Dear, Ame & Dixon and of course all Mobilee Artists.
But as I said there are too many good producers to mention all …

What does the next year hold in store for you?

Next year I’m going to marry my fiancé.

What’s it like working with Anja Schneider? How does her style of producing differ from yours?

I think and she’s more the Techno lady and I’m a bit more the House guy.

What one piece of kit could you not do without and why?

My clothes as I don’t like to be naked in the public.

What’s your favourite footwear?

That’s the right question for me as I’m a sneaker freak.
I’m really into old school sneakers. My favourites in my collection are a pair of authentic Adidas Ewing Rivalries in Black with white Stripes / Sole from 1986 and a pair of Nike Air Jordan 1 in the classic coulourway Red / White / Black from 1985.

What is (and when was) the best party in the world you’ve been to and why?

There were too many to mention.

What is the best piece of career advice anyone has ever given you?

Keep on and be patient. That was the photographer Ali Kepenek.

If you had one week to live, what would you do with that week?

I would try to have the best week in my life.

What are your favourite electronic tracks at the moment?

Anja Schneider “Belice”
Dachshund “Lariam Side Effect”
Gene Hunt “Inspired” (Abicah Soul Remix)
Cobblestone Jazz “Put A Lime In The Coconut”
Sascha Dive “Down Edit”
Brendon Moeller “Jazz Space EP”
Deep Chord “Vantage Isle EP”
DJ Swap (Smallville 04)
Dennis Ferrer “Son Of Raw” (Locodice Remix)

Do you feel that producing the popular track `Rancho Relaxo’ with Anja Schnieder was a turning point in your career?

Sure. It was the first track I did, that earned a bigger attention.

What are you plans for the next 12 months?

I’m also studying and the only time for me to produce is in the vacation time in the summer. This summer I’ll work on a new Mobilee 12″ to be released in October this year and I’ll also work on a couple of Remixes.

What’ your favourite place to play and why? What is it that makes a really good venue?

There are so many great venues but my favourite is the Watergate Club in Berlin where I’m resident. They have an amazing view to the River Spree, they always have great Line Ups and a good crowd.

Words: Anna Wharton