Next up in our Berlin Mixtapes series we welcome Kymatik aka Torsten Fassbender, following his recent debut with our good friends in Berlin, Monog Records. His stunning remix of Folksaga released in November, certainly had us hit the repeat button in the office. Torsten has been in the game for a long time bursting, onto the scene with his partner Markus Geisberger as a well-known duo called Wellenrausch in the 00s. Fast forward to 2020 and Torsten's solo projects have given him ample of hits on numerous respected labels including regular releases on classic label Platipus. We caught up with Torsten to chat all things Berlin, Kymatik, future projects & more.
Hi Torsten, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Hi Buddy, I'm fine and just recovering from a lot of remix work and a bigger sound design job. So currently, I just enjoy time in my studio and collecting ideas for my first artist album under my real name. Very excited about this one.
With 20 plus years in the music industry, what got you into electronic music?
The answer is simple, music. Maybe a little bit different kind of music than you expect though. It was the music made on computers (today that's called chip music) which blew me away. I don't want to miss those times, as they were very special but so important for my work today.
How long have you been in Berlin and what made you make the move?
I've been in Berlin now for more than 10 years and the reason was love.
I remember you very well as Wellenrausch with your partner Markus and followed you guys in the 00s. How did that project come about?
We just met at a friend's studio, he was on a visit. From the first second we understood that we can benefit from each other's work. I loved to work with him, he is a great chap and we had such a great time when he was here in Berlin.
Your Wellenrausch remix of Danilo Ercole's 'Daylight' [Vasilek 2016] is still an anthem at our Berlin parties. Can we expect any future Wellenrausch projects?
I fear I have to make people sad about this, but I'm focusing fully now on my Torsten Fassbender stuff, and my synonym Kymatik. Wellenrausch was a great time, with lots of beautiful moments and memories. But sometimes you have to move forward, to express yourself in creativity and motivation.
Your current alias is Kymatik, how did that come about and how does the
sound differ to that of Wellenrausch?
Well, first of all, its slower, the arrangements are more simple to understand. With Wellenrausch we did some different stuff, especially when you listen to our last album "The Pages Of Time".
You also release under your actual name Torsten Fassbender and have remixed superb tracks from our friends at Platipus and our good pal Luke Brancacccio. Can we expect any future collabs?
I love to work for Platipus, and when I say it was a dream to release on this classic Label it's not a lie. With the releases of Union Jack or Art of Trance, the techno scene became a
different vibe in the 90s, a vibe that made me happy. "Two full moons and a trout" was a game changer, sound wise, arrangement and composition. There will be future collabs for sure and just by mentioning this I'm getting goosebumps.
You are also now part of the Monog Records crew in Berlin after your remix of DreamAwaken - Folksaga - Can we expect more projects there too?
Yes sure, I've followed this label for quite some time and loved their releases as well. Bruno (Owner of Monog Records) does an amazing job collecting all those beauties and there will be more tracks coming out on Monog. Not only as Kymatik, just saying *smile*.
What else can you tell us about future releases, anything exciting in the pipeline?
Lots of Torsten Fassbender Remixes will come, as well as Kymatik remixes, plus as already mentioned an album. If you are looking around for music as a producer, you will no doubt hear my name too, as I've made a lot of sound design already and coming out in the near future.
Where was your first gig in Berlin?
My first Gig here in Berlin I had in the RAW Temple, as Wellenrausch. That was a crazy night and the people were singing our tracks when we played them.
You have been in Berlin for a good few years now, where's your favourite place to just to kick back and chill?
My boring answer, its my studio... *smile*. Did I mention I am a workaholic and I love to make music?
And equally, where's your favourite place to let loose?
Workaholics don't have such places. LOL ... but I can let loose in a good restaurant, and we have lots here.
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
A lot... Just to name a few: Sebastien Leger, Guy J, Ruede Hagelstein, Namito, Stephan Bodzin, Patrice Bäumel, Kas:st
What are your go-to labels?
Platipus, Afterglow Records, Monog Records, Strangetown Recordings, Languages Music, Yomo Records, Bedrock, Lost&Found, Afterlife.
You have compiled our latest Berlin Mixtapes Series Episode 037 - Tell us more about your mix.
Just to play good music. I have no direct explanation about what I play. I try to make it as I mix it. No planning, and I try to surprise myself at first. With my show Audiobahn I did exactly this, to play unexpected tracks. Meanwhile as Kymatik, my deeper alias, I try to keep it consistent.
What else can we expect from you soon? What's next on the horizon for you DJ gigs wise? Where can people see you next?
Just follow me on instagram or facebook, there will be gigs, and a big one in July (which I can't speak in detail of right now). But a follow won't hurt I think *love*.
Thanks for spending some time with us, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
The pleasure was mutual, and I just wish that everyone stays safe and healthy, at the end of the day that's the most important thing in life.
Quick-fire round:
Genre: Melodic Deep
Favourite Colour: Blue
Where in Berlin are you: Neukölln
What do you put on your chips: Nothing
First record ever bought: Kim Carnes - Bette Davies Eyes
Apple or Android: Apple
Pioneer or Denon: Both
Ableton or Logic: Both
Can you juggle: NO
Weirdest/Coolest Item of clothing: An old Casio clock from my dad
Favourite place to hang out in Berlin: My studio
Best club: The one I play
Favourite Bar/Pub: Britzer Mühle
Best Beer: Schlösser Alt (from Düsseldorf)
Favourite place to eat: Britzer Mühle
View on Sauerkraut: Sometimes good
Favourite Wurst: Currywurst, what else... but from my hometown near Düsseldorf
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Favourite Footy Team: Dortmund
Favourite Track right now: Changes every five minutes, I know this is weird.
Favourite word: Peace
3 words to describe your mix: Deep, Deep and Deep
Links:
Tracklisting:
1. Roy Rosenfeld - Shadow Of Truth (Original Mix)
2. DreamAwaken - Folksaga (Kymatik Remix)
3. Khen - One Day Of Independance (Termoment Remix)
4. Re.you - Karpfengasse (Original Mix)
5. Tim Engelhardt - A Thousand Moons (Original Mix)
6. Budakid - On An Empty Page
7. ID - ID (Kymatik Remix)
8. George Bloom - Phoebe
9. Audiojack - Paradigm (Guy Mantzur & Roy Rosenfeld Remix)
10. UNKLE - Catch Me When I Fall (Fabric Club Mix)