Interview with Ilan Kriger

By Bert from Percussa

What music styles are you playing as a DJ these days?

A mix of Techno, Tech-House and Progressive House.

Can you give us a point of reference, for readers who are not yet familiar with your work?

My track Capoeira with the original mix with Ant and the remix with Scott Mac (both from UK). It’s techno with Brazilian vocals.

Tell us about your other projects.

I run the biggest DJ school network in Brazil, with 4 schools, at Curitiba, Campinas, Balneário Camboríu and Porto Alegre. More than 3.000 students graduated the past 5 years.

In the past I’ve released tracks under 12 different aliases (Ilan Kriger, Lighthouse, Br909, The Renegades, I. Kriger, Virtual Folder, Eletrodomésticos, Audio Buzzz, Projecto João Gaiola e DJ Edinho).  My lastest releases under Ilan Kriger were Fierce Life at Definitive Records (Canadá) and TAF and True Colors remix at Plasquam Records (Germany). You can find my music on Beatport if you search for my name.

In your career, what is the achievement you are most proud of?

I run two labels, Eletrodomésticos and Br 909, and I have been spinning, playing live and producing for about 10 years, but I think helping other people achieve their goals is the best thing ever. That’s why I think my DJ school is my biggest achievement …

How did you decide to start making music?

I have a friend who started producing music a long time ago, and I used to spend all afternoon at his place, watching him play his keyboards, Tr 909 and Tb 303, … This triggered my interest in music production,  so I decided to do my own thing. I went to London to work on my skills, at Point-Blank.

When you start working on a new song, do you already have it in your head or does it develop as you experiment?

Most of the time I try to decide on a theme before starting to work on anything. I can collect ideas around this theme and if I can’t use them immediately save them for later.

How did your music evolve?

In the beginning I produced track with a lot of noise, with high tempos, but my style these days is much more varied.

What attracted you to the AudioCubes when you first heard about them?

The possibilities of controlling effects and instruments using MIDI continous controllers were very interesting to me. The sensor mode of the cubes gives me a different kind of interaction than with knobs or faders. The colours are interesting too, for visual feedback of what’s happening in my setup.

How was it to use them for the first time?

The experience was great, I was playing with a band (4 people) and I was controlling our setup in Ableton Live using the AudioCubes.

How do you feel about new technology in DJing?

I’m really for embracing new technology. In the past I used to think that DJing should be done with vinyl, but I think that today this is no longer true. These days I just use a laptop and controllers.

How many AudioCubes do you use?

I use two in my setup.

Do you use them in the studio, for live performances, sound design, DJing, … ?

I use them for live performances and DJing.

What other tools do you use?

Vírus Classic, Alpha Juno 2, Allen Heath Xone 2d, iPhone, Wii-mote.

Can you recommend AudioCubes for other artists? For what applications?

Yes, of course, they are very easy to set-up and use. They are great for live work, DJing, ….  They give you immediate access to your music software.

Do you have a rough idea about how many performances you’ve done with AudioCubes?

In almost every performance since I got them, so this must now be around 300 times.

Should making music with technology be fun?

For me it should be about fun. I spend so much time with music it would be impossible that it would feel like a job routine.

Links to Ian’s work:

http://ilankriger.net/en/