Scottish stalwart Hans Bouffmyhre has been trailblazing for many years, from running the Sleaze club night to launching Sleaze Records in 2008, a label that has gone on to be a worldwide influence to many new generations of Techno artists.
Aside the labels success, his productions and remixes are highly sought after working with some of the most established brands around like Soma and Electric Deluxe. In 2012 he embarked on a new alias known as Secluded to experiment with a new sound inspired by Detroit and Berlin, with an altogether more industrial feel that has already been released through London’s hotbed EarToGround for example.
> 01. Which artists and genres inspired you to start producing music?
Honestly, the first proper techno DJ I went to see was Jeff Mills back in 2004. I think it was during his Exhibitionist tour and I was completely blown away. Amazing performance and I was definitely hooked on Techno after that. In terms of producing my own music it was just a natural progression after I started DJing. I was hearing all these great tracks and wanted to try and have a go at making my own.
> 02. What production hardware or software do you get the best results from and what does it bring to your work?
For software I use both Reason and Ableton. I learned on Reason to begin with and in some ways I still prefer it, because I find it really easy, quick to work with and I’m so comfortable on it. Ableton is a program I’m using much more nowadays, especially for live sessions. Hardware wise, I only have a few bits and bobs. I have a Arturia MicroBrute analogue synth, which is a great piece of gear and you can get some really mental sounds out of it. I’m also really enjoying using the Roland TR-8 in the studio. Perfect for using in live sets as well!
> 03. Which track from your own back catalogue is a staple in your DJ/Live sets?
In recent years probably my remix of Locomatica “Rootkit” because everytime I play it, it goes off!
Locomatica - “Rootkit” (Hans Bouffmyhre Remix) [LCMTC] (2015)
> 04. What aspect do you enjoy the most from working in music?
I think the satisfaction you get when testing out a new track to a big crowd is a great feeling. There can be moments in your set when you are playing a big gig, where you actually get goosebumps from the crowd reaction. That’s definitely the most enjoyable part for me!
> 05. What would you change or improve about the music industry and/or club culture?
I think sometimes there’s too much politics involved in some of the Techno scenes across europe. I hear stories from a lot of promoters about different groups and organisations working against each other, rather than supporting each other. That’s just life though and it’s probably never going to change!
> 06. What’s your passion outside of making music?
I love watching and playing sport. Football, tennis, boxing and many others. I go to the gym regularly as I think it’s important to keep fit and be healthy! I also have a family run Horse racing business, which I enjoy being a part of. We buy horses and train them up to win races. Weird but true!
> 07. Where has been one of your most enjoyable gigs to date and what made it so special?
My debut at Berghain a few years back was pretty special. I was sandwiched between Marcel Dettmann and Ben Klock on the line-up and I had already heard so much about the venue from other DJ’s. It definitely lived up to the hype! I think I stayed in there for about 14 hours and then went for a pancake breakfast with Dustin Zahn afterwards. It was a great night!
> 08. Which track by another artist has really caught your attention recently?
A new Mark Broom track called “Frontline” I’ve been playing a lot, it has a real infectious groove! Also need to give a mention to Johannes Heil’s new album The Black Light which is simply great. I’ve been playing almost all the tracks at some point in my sets.
Mark Broom - “Frontline” [BeardMan] (2015)
> 09. Which artists do you keep a close eye on and rate highly for the future?
I’d give a shout to a guy called Robert S from Portugal who has released on Sleaze Records recently. He also has a new EP coming up early 2016 called ‘One Night In Texas’ - I’m playing a lot of his tracks. Very promising producer!
Also an Italian producer called Uncode. I’ve just signed a 3 track EP from him and I love the old school vibe on his productions.
> 10. What forthcoming projects or releases are we yet to see?
I have a new Hans release called Damage Limitation EP coming on Planet Rhythm in February.
Then a new Secluded release called Eternal EP featuring remixes by Roman Lindau and TWR72, coming on my new Secluded label in March. Keep an eye out for those ones!
