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Pole's Life Experiments
Интервью · 23.04.2007
By Илья Розов
The German project Pole, in the person of Stefan Betke – an explorer of sonic textures and a recognized authority in the genre of electronic-atmospheric dub music – performed at the Abracadabra festival. Before Stefan flew into Moscow, we managed to put a few questions to the maestro of unhurried experimental electronica.
Is this your first visit to Russia? There are musicians who flatly refuse to come here – some are offended by Russian pirates, some are simply afraid. How do you feel about the rumors about the state of affairs here?
Yes, I'm coming to Russia for the first time. Honestly, I can't wait to finally see Moscow. Even if I did hear some scary stories about Russia, I ignored them – I'm sure they're just rumors. I travel a lot all over the world, and I've seen a huge number of cultural differences from the German things I'm used to. And most of them are simply amazing.
What do you expect from the audience that will come to your show?
I really hope the people who come will be free-thinking and well-versed in music, and not interested only in a straight beat ("four to the floor" – a 4/4 rhythmic meter – 44100hz note) and this endless minimal. I mean, I've seen the lineup, it's diverse and amazing, and if people engage and understand what's happening – it'll be a fantastic event.
Tell our readers, who haven't yet heard your latest album "Steingarten," how it differs from your previous work, and what it's like in general?
I think the main difference with Steingarten is the presence of a fairly distinct beat; it's much more concrete and defined than on my earlier work. Besides that, I tried to make the sound harder, used a lot of distortion, and on top of that most of the tracks came out faster than I used to make. But you'll still be able to hear the sounds typical of me – it's Pole, after all.
You're famous for your passion for hip-hop. What did that turn into, and how do you see the hip-hop scene now?
Well, in 2003 I recorded practically a hip-hop album together with MC Fat Jon. It came out on Mute Records. I think the time of electronic hip-hop has passed and it's no longer interesting. But I would never claim it won't come back one day. Right now I'm more into dubstep from London, artists like Shackleton and Appleblim, or Peverelist from the Punch Drunk label. The hip-hop I still like was made by Jay Dilla (rest in peace). The new album Ruff Draft is amazing.
So you think dubstep is the future?
Yes, minimal, as you can see, is no longer at the top. Dubstep hasn't reached that peak yet, but there are already several excellent musicians who will make the style the most relevant. I never particularly liked minimal, I'm more into dub and reggae, so dubstep is closer to me. I think it's more interesting and futuristic. Not all of it, of course, but there are simply magnificent tracks.
Do you believe in the saying "two heads are better than one"? Who would you like to work with?
I don't know. Of course, there have been brilliant duos: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Sly and Robbie and the guys from Autechre. But there are even more solo artists, and they make decent music. So when I realize that only duos can make good music – I'll quit this occupation.
What future do you see for human civilization? Is there a chance of survival?
I'll answer briefly. Humanity will vanish from the face of the Earth if corrupt, selfish politicians keep spitting on human rights. But there is hope! Creative people all over the world are fighting ignorance and succeeding. Slowly, but still... And festivals like "Abracadabra" are an important part of this movement, because here "unusual" people can meet and listen to good music.
And what music did you listen to while recording your latest album?
Oh, I don't listen to much music while working on my own, but if I did listen, it was old reggae or jazz. I need to distance myself from all that "noise" to stay unique. I went back to listening to music right after finishing work on the album.
If you had the power to control people, what would you use it for?
I hope that never happens. I don't like the very thought that a person could be controlled by someone. Stay independent.
Describe the goal of your life in two words.
To be a good person and make the world better.
