Counting with
1
Apparat
memorable line in a film or song:
“This was the worst show in music history.” (The Mighty Boosh)
2
decisions I regret:
Doing this interview, for one. It’s pretty damn hard to squeeze your experiences or opinions into a numerical matrix—which is also why I don’t enjoy computer-generated music so much anymore, by the way. Too many numbers. I also regret never learning to play any instrument perfectly. When techno happened to me at age fourteen, I thought nobody would need to play instruments ever again. Embarassing, but true.
Few artists have been able to bridge the gap between electronic music and independent rock as easily as Sasha Ring, alias Apparat. Having reached the top of the heap as a producer of techno and various electronic sub-genres, the self-described sound designer has recently begun to embrace the imperfection only live instruments can provide. Here, the introspective Ring discusses the difficulties of forcing his opinions into a numbered list.
Apparat, photographed by Simone Gilges in Berlin.
3
people that should collaborate:
Mohammed, Moses & Jesus? That would make one hell of a religious superhero. But seriously: So much crap in this world is caused by narrow-minded interpretations of really old books. Where’s the love?
4
things I haven’t done yet: 1) Act in a film. 2) Buy (or rather build) a house. 3) Do nothing for a long, long time. 4) Move away from Germany.
5
things I used to believe:
1) The musical possibilities of a computer are endless. 2) Drugs
are fun. 3) Berlin is the greatest place in the world. 4) Capitalism works. 5) I’m responsible enough.
6
hours ago. . .
I was having an incredible time in Sicily together with Daniel Mateo. We took our time driving through a bunch of quaint, small towns until we arrived in Scicli, where we talked about the calm before the storm of my album’s upcoming release.
7
days I barely remember:
That would probably be the last week of production for my new album. I’d never found finishing albums so difficult in the past, but this time it felt like one big, long 168-hour blur. .
After
8
p.m. . . .
. . . is when my day usually begins. I used to really enjoy evenings— way more than the daytime. Everything is so much quieter, and the later it gets, the more the city empties out. For me, it’s also the most inspiring time of day.
My
9
lives . . .
. . . are over pretty soon, I would assume. I sacrificed way too many in my rave-youth.
10
years since 9/11 . . .
What a shitty decade. I don’t see improved dialogues or the emergence of more sensible politics. More than anything, I’ve noticed a rise in different forms of “security”, which have turned into big business. It’s getting worse and worse. Sometimes it seems more about making people feel afraid. ~
EB 3/2011
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