Berlin-based duo Booka Shade, aka Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier, have carved out a reputation as one of the most celebrated electronic acts to come out of Europe over the past two decades. Entering into another new year with fresh material arriving straight out of the studio, Blaufield Music bosses Booka Shade are looking to pick up right where they left off in 2023 after celebrating a monumental 20th Anniversary of the project across the past twelve months. Following up the intense year of shows, with tours across Europe, North America and Australia, the legendary pairing reveal two new productions to kick off the 2024 schedule via their excellently crafted two-track EP, ‘No Memory/Out In The Fields’.

 

Hi Booka Shade, thanks for talking to SIX AM and how are you both doing?

Hi, we’re on a short break from touring and we’re spending some weeks around Christmas at home with the family, before we return to North America for shows in Toronto (Dec 28th, The Future) and Brooklyn (Dec 31st, Brooklyn Hangar with Tinlicker). As usual, we’re also preparing some new songs for the shows.

 

Congrats on finishing up your international tour. Can you share some highlights from your recent tours across Europe, North America, and Australia in 2023? How did these experiences shape your music and creativity?

A highlight was certainly celebrating 20 Years of Booka Shade this summer, with a selection of special European shows in London (three shows this year !), Berlin, Zurich, and Vienna.

Playing in the U.S. and Canada this year was a great pleasure. we feel that in addition to our beloved loyal audience that´s been with us for many years, especially young audiences that we play for realize that the recent melodic electronic sound that´s been promoted by many DJs is based on a sound we´ve been producing for many years. So year after year, new young music lovers find us and dig into our musical history.

Your 20th Anniversary celebrations were undoubtedly a significant milestone in your career. How did this celebration impact your perspective on the electronic music industry, and how did it influence the direction of your music moving into 2024?

We only celebrated 20 Years since the Get Physic Music era started (the label we founded together with M.A.N.D.Y., DJ T. and producer partner Peter Hayo in 2003). Our first Booka Shade 12“ vinyl releases date back to 1995 but, that´s a different story…. our perspective on music and the industry around it hasn´t changed much since we started.

As teenagers, we idolized bands that used synthesizers because we were fascinated by electronic sounds: Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Soft Cell, New Order etc. We had the dream to produce the music we love and be as independent as possible (most of the bands I mentioned were on indie labels). Techno Music in the early 90s changed the landscape of the music industry, you didn´t need the big major record label deal to start a global career. With our first label Get Physical we realized what was possible. Today, with Blaufield Music, we continue. 

In terms of music direction, it´s the same: we produce music we like and enjoy playing at our shows, and if people happen to like it, that´s amazing.

 

'No Memory' and 'Out In The Fields' from your new EP have distinct vibes and inspirations. Could you elaborate on the creative process behind these tracks? What were the key influences that led to their creation?

We found a very old demo of the song that is now called ‘No Memory‘, probably 10 years old. We loved the glittering synths and the children's choir in the song..we added some new elements and reworked the groove and bass. The riding chord sequence, in the beginning, is a bit inspired by the early classics from Lil Louis. The track has instant energy, that’s why it’s a great first song for our live sets since a couple of months ago.

 

'Out In The Fields' is described as being reminiscent of classic UK summer festivals. How has the festival culture and atmosphere influenced your music, and what do you hope listeners will take away from this particular track in terms of emotions and memories?

We were always fans of the festival anthems of the Chemical Brothers or Underworld, they were definitively an influence for 'Out In The Fields'. The majestic, epic break in the middle of the track is always a highlight in our sets.

 

Thanks so much for taking time for our audience is there anything you’d like to add before signing off?

We look forward to seeing you at one of our shows next year!

 

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