Metronome #085: Raumakustik

Insomniac’s Metronome series features mixes from some of today’s fastest-rising electronic stars, as well as championed legends. It takes listeners deep across a wide range of genres, movements, cultures, producers, artists and sounds that make up the diverse world of electronic music.

The last time we checked in with Volker and Seb, together known as Raumakustik, they were on the brink of resounding breakout success from a certain record you might recall, by the name of “Raider.” It’s the same one Jamie Jones snatched up for release on his lauded Hot Trax imprint, which would then go on a royal rampage for the remainder of the year. While the rest of the world took some time to commit their name to memory, we automatically grouped the German-based duo into the category of groove-generating geniuses.

In the course of a year, the Raum gents have taken up massive reinforcements through a string of highly receptive releases that have landed on Suara, Toolroom and Formatik. However, the fuss is hitting an all-time high as they get a renewed stamp of approval from Jones in the form of their latest Emerald City signing. “Dem a Pree,” due out September 23, is an uninhibited tech house beast that’s all business with room for little else. The chunky, membrane-zapping club tool has been wearing down floors from so much rinsing, we’re fighting the urge of letting out a big, fat “I told you so.”

Instead of blabbering on about how bomb they are at shaking out the good stuff, we’re going to cut to the chase and let them show you firsthand. In their hour-long mix, Raumakustik lets us know how they go about owning the room.

With summer quickly coming to a wrap, walk us through some of the finest moments you had this season.
One of our highlights this season was playing at the Untold Festival in Romania and at the SonneMondSterne Festival here in Germany. The atmosphere and the attitude of the party crowd were incredible. Also, the number of people who listened to our music made these moments very special for us.

What’s your favorite time of the year, and why?
For us, the best time of the year is in summer. In this season, there are a lot of parties, festivals, and the mood of the people is better because of the high temperatures.

You’ve got a new single coming out on Emerald City. What can you tell us about the track?
After the success of “Raider” last year on Jamie Jones’ Hot Trax imprint, we had the aim for a even better single, and this one really came together very fast. Fortunately, we found the singer who inspired us for this track.

The song is about sticking your nose in someone else’s business. Do you remember the last time this has happened to you personally?
To be honest, we can’t remember any situation like this in the last years. I guess we are very lucky.

Patrick Topping and Jey Kurmis had a go at the track. What do you like about each of their remixes?
Both mixed our track with their own sound. For us, it’s very interesting how other artists interpret the single and build their own version of it. For example, the bassline of Patrick Topping is very significant.

Jamie Jones has been a supporter of your work, playing it out in his sets and signing it to his labels. How did he first come across your music?
We are lucky that our manager sent “Raider” to Jamie Jones, who was very enthusiastic about our track. After hearing it, he immediately started to play it out in his sets. We really appreciate that.

Your name means “room acoustics”; are either of you overly technical with gear or on the engineering end?
We are both lateral entrants, so we had to teach ourselves all about the music on our own. Volker, as an example, is a skilled librarian.

Which studio you’ve worked in previously would you say has the best acoustics?
We only worked in our own studio so far, so for us, it’s the studio with the best acoustics.

How about the best place for natural acoustics?
In our opinion, you can find the best natural acoustics in a forest. Silence, in conjunction with the voices of the birds and the sound of the trees, makes us feel comfortable and helps us relax.

What’s one thing each of you couldn’t live without?
Seb: For me, one thing I couldn’t live without is my family. They are behind my work, and home is a place where I can refresh myself.
Volker: Books.

Track List:: Matt Sassari “Project Liefs”
Purple Disco Machine “Walls” (Monte Tool Remix)
Patrick Topping “Taking Libz”
Adrian Hour “That’s It”
Made in Riot “Sable”
Addvibe “Brothers” (David Keno Remix)
Sonny Fodera, James Puentes “No Reason”
Pascal “Younger Days” (Tobi Kramer Remix)
Tiger Stripes “A Feeling”
Leroy Burgess, Reflow “This Is How We Do It” (Tiger Stripes Remix)
Mauro Venti “Desvelado”
Raumakustik “Dem a Pree”