From her earliest years DJing around the Detroit rave scene, to a decade spent rising to the top of the international DJ circuit with Richie Hawtin’s Minus label and her new label Items & Things with long-time collaborators Marc Houle and Troy Pierce, Poland-born, Detroit-bred and Bertlin-based DJ Magdahas always had a special ear for new sounds to move the dance floor. URB caught up with Magda before her gig opening up for Hawtin’s Plastikman Live 1.5 performance at ADE.
URB: You recently left Minus to focus on the imprint Items & Things with longtime friends Marc Houle and Troy Pierce. Was running a label always a goal you have had and what is the vision for Items & Things?
Magda: It was never a plan or a goal. We just wanted an outlet for the interesting music we were receiving from people and friends. Nowadays, we still want to keep things simple and just release what we think is special. If the label can help the artists get more recognition then I’m happy.
Your vision statement seems much more open ended than the direct vision of Hawtin’s Minus and ties to minimal. Is this intentional? And does this reflect any personal taste changes or general want of flexibility for the imprint?
Its not intentional. Between the three of us there is a broad spectrum of influences, not just minimal. If we hear something that is ambient or new wave or whatever else, as long as all three of us think its unique, then we can release it.
Regarding your personal productions, are you working on anything new at the moment?
Besides some podcasts and remixes I did this year, I’m back in the studio to record a second album. I also started a project with Chloe from Paris which I’m quite excited about, as well as collaborating with my friend Suade from Newcastle. We did a track called “Fixation” that recently came out on Items and Things.
I recently had the chance to see you in England at a larger warehouse event where you were slotted to play an 8 hour set. Is this time frame something that you have come to prefer or is it still particularly daunting?
I wish i had the strength to pull off 8 hour sets all the time, but thats definitely not the case. Then again, it makes those times special. I had so much fun that night from beginning to end—starting with ambient in an empty room and slowly building and building the night. The eight hours seemed to fly by somehow.
Coming from Detroit, that environment of a warehouse seemed more in line with your roots. Do you prefer that setting when booked for engagements to the more above board club setting?
Every situation is different. I’m not a huge fan of giant warehouse raves, but when they are done right it’s great. hHowever, my favorite atmosphere is a small simple space with tight sound and dim lights where people can be all around and are not limited by roped off areas and fancy VIP tables.
Over the years you have undoubtably seen more and more friends and acquantainces make the move to Berlin. How have you seen the city change and do you think that what was special about Berlin five years ago is beginning to fade?
Things have changed in Berlin as in any city. Back then, the low cost airlines were not so big and the crowd was more Berlin- based. Nowadays, people just fly in for the weekend to party and there is definitely a tourist feel in the clubs. Even so, that doesn’t mean the parties are bad. Berlin is just as crazy as I remember and there are always new parties and locations popping up. That hasn’t changed.
As you are focusing now on Items & Things, what sounds happening right now are you specifically interested in? Are there any young producers that are specifically catching your eye?
I’m always looking for dark disco tek. I just love spacey, freaky sounds. There are many young and talented producers from France who have caught my ear recently (Clement Meyer, Tomas More, Darabi). They have taken that special funky, synthy French sound in an interesting, more stripped down direction.
I understand you spent your early childhood in Poland, but your adopted home of Detroit has also been the topic of discussion in regards to a renaissance of the scene. Do you agree with some of these opinions regarding a Motor City rebirth, and if not, do you see this happen at all in the future or has Detroit had its moment?
Detroit has a special place in my heart. That’s where i grew up. That’s the environment that shaped me. Unfortunately, I don’t go back as often as before because I don’t have family there anymore. Last time I was there, the city seemed more alive and positive. The music coming from there is strong as ever so I do hope the scene grows stronger as well. The city has such a unique raw feel from its gothic architecture to the empty spaces that I really do wish for a renaissance.
Magda plays ADE on Friday Oct. 21 with Plastikman Live 1.5, Marco Carola and Ambivalent @ Heineken Music Hall.
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