Mr Spencer takes a deeper look into the music of Filterwolf in this exclusive interview. Supported by the likes of Luciano, Zombie Nation, John Acquaviva and Dubfire this Euro Sensation is igniting dance floors and sound systems of the world.

We asked him what the story was about the new album:
“Night Patterns” was created in my new recording studio in Munich last year and is influenced by the music I was listening to and gigs I visited at that time. The input factor is really important in my creative process that’s why I own a huge record collection. The record is influenced by the otherworldly sound of the Trax label catalogue from Chicago, lots of R & S material, producers who release on the same labels as me like DJ Hell and Abe Duque and futurists like Kraftwerk, Underworld, Cobblestone Jazz and dOP.

What’s inspired this album?
It is intended to be versatile and colourful, a sonic oasis for the people who don't admire genre fetishism and music ghettos. Today’s electronic music landscape is so grown that I don’t want to cut my horizon and be a strictly tech house or minimal artist like lots of producers do, to fit into the trends and get some bookings, which is just boring. Freshness and innovation are the only premises I have to my music. Genres are not relevant in the year 2011 anymore, labels like Kompakt have realized this already and is releasing music from acts like The Walls or Gus Gus. They have put house and techno spirits in their productions, but it sounds like something completely else. They sound new.

When you receive support from BBC Radio 1 and big names like Groove Armada, Slam, Dirt Crew and Coldcut. How does that feel to get this feedback?
It gives you a feeling that you are on the right way. As Coldcut contacted me through the internet, I felt like I was blessed. Those people are one of the guys who started the whole sample culture and if they call themselves fans of mine, it is a kind of dream that comes true. The same thing goes for John Acquaviva, who started the rave revolution with Richie Hawtin and their Plus 8 imprint. It is incredible that those artists show their respect to what I do, simply amazing! By the way, I’m really proud to be in the BBC Radio 1 rotation with my music, this radio station has influenced lots of my tracks and to be played in the rotation of the “Best New Music” show is like an extra quality seal for me.

Your music is so unique, creative, full of fresh ideas and  it sounds like the past and the future in the same melting pot. But how do you describe your music?
I often hear the adjective “fresh” and “original” in the feedbacks from producers like Ivan Smagghe, Luke Solomon or Moodymanc, so I think that fits really well. It is original and fresh electronic music which works in the club and at home too. My purpose is to make timeless material, tracks which can stand the zeitgeist and are not genre-limited. Some of my favourite producers these days like Paul Kalkbrenner and Riva Starr are just making their own genre; you can not tell straight if it is house, techno, electro or the mix of all three. That is my aim, to make music in my own genre. That is the only way, if you want to produce something special, something which has its own character.

What are the differences between you as a DJ and producer?
DJing is a journey into the depths of the groove, with two purposes: To let the people dance and experience something new. I never plan the setlists and never know what I am playing in the next fifteen minutes of a gig. It all depends on the crowd and the atmosphere. Producing is more a personal matter than collective experience.

How does the rest of 2011 look like for you? Are you working on some new projects right now?
An album promo-tour and a couple of DJ gigs for the summer are being planned and I’m really glad to travel through Europe presenting my new material to the fans. Live-gigs are always a pure pleasure. New projects: I started with the recording of the third album already. I don't see a point in releasing just tracks or EP’s, it’s like, what if you were a Hollywood movie director and you have the choice to release a short or a feature full length movie. I would always go for a feature full length movie. It is like a large concept which realises itself after a year and you can see the results on the big cinema screen. I really like an album as a concept, in that point I am maybe like those jazz musicians from the 60s like John Coltrane, every year could get its album.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Producing more innovative and genre-breaking records. Doing some interesting music cooperation’s and producing other acts. Recently I’ve got an offer for doing a movie soundtrack, so yes, maybe doing more music for movies could be one of the future paths too.

Closing statement?
Check out the new Filterwolf album “Night Patterns” - it is supported by so many different and miscellaneous people like Luciano, Dubfire, Claude VonStroke and many more. And yes, many thanks to Berlin FM for playing my tracks in the hot rotation between my childhood heroes Moby and Beastie Boys in the last weeks. Now that was ace!

Filterwolf – Night Patterns is digitally out on FILIGRAN Records and available on http://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/366835/Night%20Patterns and all other online music retailers. The album will be physically available from June 17th.

Filterwolf - Night Patterns Album Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx6mWc1JFVU&feature=related
Music Video: Filterwolf - Klezmer's Revenge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR1eyg4uQ78

Interviewed by Andrea Steyn