Düsseldorf, Germany. On 7th March, right before the venue - called Zakk - there was a long queue and some people were asking for tickets. The reason is, the concert of Parov Stelar this evening and all others are totally sold out. The Austrian electronic jazz musician with his band has rightly a really good reputation. The audience were dancing hilariously. The band members cheer up each other and their audience. The venue was full of beats and sax and trumpet sounds. Also, the singer and her incredible voice make the evening for everybody memorable. Probably the pictures above can show you that.
Keep reading
Cause, I talked to Marcus Füreder aka Mr. Parov Stelar himself. Below, you could read the whole interview. We talked about his tour, the audience, vinyl vs. download, and many more. Enjoy it! And pre-order his now album "Princess" which is coming out on 20th April!
DukeAlbert's Tour:
"Hi Marcus, first of all, thank you for having me here right before your performance in Düsseldorf."
:Marcus Füreder
"Very Gladly!"
DAT:
"In the moment, you're visiting a bunch of cities with your PRINCESS TOUR. It's rather big one, isn't it?"
:Marcus
"No, the bottom line is, it's actually a smaller one. Two years ago, for example, the Coco Tour was bigger with 28 gigs in 32 days. But, technically, we are touring the whole year."
DAT:
"I see. So, since 2000 you've making music and since 2004 you've been playing as Parov Stelar. In the case, if somebody is asking you which kind of music you make, what would be your respond?"
:Marcus
"Well, it's always difficult to put your own music in scheme. That's normally the task of journalists. And, they name it in most instances Electro Swing. With this description I'm not totally happy. Of course, there is a little bit of it in my music. But - just when you hear the old and the new stuff - there are much more genres which would also describe my music. Personally, it would be boring for me to put it only in this same scheme. I think, it's rather manifold. And, i would say, my music is based on samples. These samples are often of tracks which are simply older. So, you could say it's a touch of retro in combination with modern music."
DAT:
"My impression is, that you have enthused a lot of people for this kind of music, in your eight years of Parov Stelar. Today, you're a kind of institution. How does it feel to you?"
:Marcus
"Personally, I'm very happy with it. And, for me it's also a kind of honor. Cause, I can feel it, too. It's similar to the days, when I started to fall in love with Jazz. In these early days, I'd always thought this music is only for elitist people. I didn't understand it until I'd found out that it's much more. You can combine it with other genres. And that makes me very lucky."
DAT:
"This acceptance is reflected in your ticket sale. Düsseldorf and Munich, for example, are completely sold out."
:Marcus
"Yes. And not only these concerts. I think, the whole tour is sold out, too."
DAT:
"So, this is your acknowledgement, right?"
:Marcus
"Yes, that's right."
DAT:
"On the one hand, you're also touring with a Dj-set. And on the other hand, you're performing with a five-headed band. What does excite you more?"
:Marcus
"I believe, you can't compare these situations directly. Cause, the Dj-set isn't a classical one. I'm playing in a trio of a sax, a trumpet and me at the electronics. And the band is more magnificent, you know. Festivals, bigger stages, but also smaller clubs etc. The Trio, instead, could better build up a familiar atmosphere. It's more hypnotic and you are getting more a feeling of clubbing. But I can't tell you which one makes more fun. Cause, both are so different."
DAT:
"What are these differences?"
:Marcus
"It starts with the set up. The Dj-set doesn't only contain songs of mine and, mainly, I'm in the centre of attention. Whereas, I avoid consciously to be in the centre of attention when the band si playing."
DAT:
"In Middle Europe you are known all over the mainland. Which goals do you follow for the future? For example, keyword: America."
:Marcus
"Well, America is its own issue. With 'Booty Swing' we have a #2 in the electronic charts there and the Americans totally go nuts with it. But I'm very patient and careful before we start with a big U.S. tour. Cause, I just want to do it when I feel comfortable with it. So, Europe and UK are completely sufficient until autumn. I don't need a hype, but a constant growth. However, a U.S. tour is planned for autumn."
DAT:
"So, you don't like to be hyped like Foster The People who has been exploding in their awareness level since their appearance."
:Marcus
"Yes, cause, I don't believe in such things and I'm also afraid of it. I think, first of all, you should build up a fundament like our supporters. From day to day, they grow in a constant speed. But I don't want to build up the fan community on a hype."
DAT:
"Do you have a model? Someone who you still look up to."
:Marcus
"With models I've always had difficulties. There are a lot of artists which I respect in what they're doing. And I like a lot of the french method. For example, the french artist 'Air' was a good one and, of course, I like a lot the early days tunes of 'Daft Punk'. But there are much more artists and music styles I like. And I try to transport this also over my own music."
DAT:
"What do you think about analog vs. digital? Vinyl vs. notebook? I noticed your notebook on the stage."
:Marcus
"It depends on which perspective you have. First, the context of working looks like that. I'm professional dj. That is, I travel all over the world. Therefor, I'm everyday on another place. And I have to carry cases. I think, for me, the times are over for vinyls. Of course, there are always some freaks who are only mixing with LPs. But in my opinion, you can provide your visitors a better quality when you play digital. For example, you have no feedbacks, no record will be stolen at the airport, no turntable pick-up will be dirty, etc.
Second, I could see a movement. Vinyl is becoming another significance in the context of collecting records. People say, I want to have a material release. And that's why a download would be not enough."
DAT:
"At the beginning we talked about your PRINCESS TOUR. In this tour you traveling from Scotland to Greece. And you've already seen a lot of your audiences. Which audience is the best?"
:Marcus
"I believe, we could be really happy with our audience overall. It isn't like in the Coca-Cola commercial where you get a blindfold and you have to differentiate between Pepsi and Coca. That's not possible with our supporters. And, I couldn't notice a difference. They're cheering everywhere in the same volume. I'm very lucky about it."
DAT:
"Short question about your new album 'PRINCESS'. What did change to the forerunners?"
:Marcus
"Generally, this have to decided by the people. Cause, you're totally stick in the middle of the progress - if so, three years - that you can't barely differ it. I know something changed, but the style didn't. What is, for me, really important."
DAT:
"Do you have any favorite track?"
:Marcus
"Well, you could compare it with having children. You couldn't really say which one do you like more. I think, it's difficult to exclude a track now. First, you have to get more distance and listen to it in another context before you could answer this question."
DAT:
"Yes, I could totally comprehend it. Cause, as artist, you put always emotions and feelings in your songs."
:Marcus
"That's right."
DAT:
"Ok, Marcus. This is the end. Thank you for the interview."
:Marcus
"Your welcome!"
DAT:
"Have good time on the stage and on the rest of your tour."
