Features

Paul SG

Paul SG is an up-and-coming drum & bass DJ / producer from Germany that now lives in Vienna. Championed by Good Looking's LTJ Bukem and with his Jazzsticks label getting off the ground things are definitely looking up. High time for an interview and a guest mix then...

You're one of an exciting wave of new talent to emerge from Germany and Austria in recent years, how is the scene in Germany and Austria at the moment?
Based on what I know and feel, electro and minimal are still very big here. The Austrian drum & bass scene is quite lively, especially here in Vienna. There are several crews doing parties throughout the week, some are more underground whilst others are going down the commercial route. I love the professional setups over here in most of the clubs. Germany seems to have some great parties all over the country. I recently played a gig with Furney in a little town close to Heidelberg and the whole place went off. People just loved it!

What got you into drum & bass in the first place?
A guy I knew from a place where I worked for a year. His name is Alphonze and he widened my horizons as I was never really into music with an "electronic" touch. He showed me stuff from Moving Shadow and all that jazz. I loved the broken drums: snares seemed to be everywhere filling every gap just right.

Your work is quite soulful, but very melancholy: more jazz than funk. How did you find combining a musical format that is traditionally fairly slow and disconsolate (jazz) with one that is usually very fast and upbeat (drum & bass)?
I don't really see drum & bass as something fast. Of course it is, but combining the tempo and rolling beats with jazz notes and soul vibes just feels right to me.

You've had some involvement with heavyweight LTJ Bukem so far in your career, and you can definitely see a link between your work and his. What have you learnt from him?
He showed me that it pays to work hard on everything - his stamina is very impressive. His music and way of performing is inspiring and he pushed me in a very positive way. Danny is a living legend and it feels great to deliver his ammo!

Is there a particular musical form as of yet unexplored that you'd like to utilise in your work in the coming years?
Not sure about that, I'm doing whatever I feel. Always expect the unexpected from me.

You're scheduled to play Fabric in May, what does Fabric represent to an up-and-coming drum & bass artist?
It's my third time at Fabric and I always enjoy it. The vibe of Room Two is brilliant. People love the musical sound we all represent in there. They adore it and, more importantly, they appreciate it. London is exciting, but a bit too hectic for me. I still love the vibe of places like Fabric or Brick Lane. The world capital! I really like Bristol too, I go there quite often and it's always a pleasure to hangout with my boys there!

Anything else you'd like to tell us about?
Keep an eye on my label Jazzsticks Recordings. The second 12" will be out around March or April. Shouts to Recline, Andy Sim, Furney J, JayRome, MC Conrad, Danny LTJ, Marky, Makoto Piotr, Ally/Load, Grimm, Bevan, Decon, Jazzsticks Camp, Think Deep Camp and everybody else that is supporting the sound we all love so much!

Words: Max Glover

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Track Listing