Daniel Bortz is a unique figure in the underground scene, gliding under the radar past trends and genre boundaries to a point where he is one of the most respected producers around.
At a time when artist’s personalities are often mitigated, simplified, or exaggerated to fill the perceived requirement of social media, Bortz remains genuine. He is able to connect with the exterior world in an untarnished barrage of instagram stories; an insightful peek into the day-to-day of one of the most low key individuals in the dance community.
The Augsburg-based aficionado is a homebody, spending the majority of his days fiddling on synths and listening to records, often under the guise of a joint. While the industry has inflated the need for its most successful artists to be constantly on the road, Bortz is extremely selective with the shows he takes. Rarely playing more than two or three gigs a month, most of which are in his hometown, he is able to dedicate a tremendous amount of time to creating music.
The commitment to production is evident in Daniel’s incredible catalogue. A stalwart on the esteemed Permanent Vacation, Bortz has also graced enigmatic labels such as Innervisions, Suol, and Watergate. Through collaborations with Marcus Worgull and remixes of James Blake, His music remains impossible to categorize.
During his formative years, he leaned minimal and deep. One of his most telling EPs, The One, is a moody and sexy groover laden with enigmatic samples. By twisting Cassie’s R&B gem Me & U into a low key club tune, Bortz exercises his knack for blending musical worlds. The Beautiful Boyz sample further displays his mastery of uniting approachable and underground influences.
2013’s full length Patchwork Memories LP touched upon disco and classic house kicks, with remixes from Acid Pauli and Tuff City Kids exploding onto labels such as Defected, Bedrock, and Get Physical.
Bortz’s recent releases sway between more obscure tones, with acid and electro at the forefront of his sound’s character. He recently launched his DJ Hotel alias with a couple records on the trend setting Permanent Vacation, including an masterfully playful remix of TB’s Night Heat.
To begin 2020, Alejandro Mosso’s Caravan caught the ear of Bortz, who’s laid a stiff rhythm and acid-vibe to percussive groover. Through keeping the original’s minimal-oriented kick, the Caravan remix is primed for dark rooms with crisp sound. Bortz’s rework of Mosso marks his debut on XYZ, a pillar for the label thus far in their growth. He’s been a massive favorite of the label team since their early days in electronic music, and it’s a true pleasure to connect see the project come to fruition.
We caught up with Daniel following the release to discuss his journey thus far, insights into life as an old-school modern producer, as well as the immense predicament artists face during the COVID-19 crisis.
WWD: Daniel, it’s a real honor to have you with us! First and foremost, I hope you are keeping safe and entertained in these troubled times.
Thankfully, I’m lucky to be safe and sound.
WWD: As somebody who seems to enjoy spending time cooped up in the studio, has self-quarantining been an issue for you?
I guess i speak for others as well, but honestly it’s not such a big thing for musicians, producers, or other self-employed people to stay home these days. We know how to waste time to survive!
WWD: How have you been affected, personally, with the rapid halt in music-related proceedings caused by the pandemic?
Well all the clubs are closed… all my shows are canceled for the foreseeable future.
WWD: Some of the artist responses to the isolation have included live-streaming sets and Spotify playlists. How have you adapted to the keep the music flowing?
I just do what i always do – upload mixtapes on soundcloud, and continue to produce music and make remixes. Sometimes i do playlists, but im not so into spotify. I’m doing some more livestreams on Insta or Youtube, but it’s not the same as playing real shows.
WWD: I’d describe your music as moody. Lots of people will be left with their moods as we are cut off from the outside world. What moods do you try to assert through your music?
I just want people to be inspired from life, with their own vibe.
WWD: How do you get your creative juices flowing in the studio?
Jamming and sampling helps me to get in the flow.
WWD: You’ve got an impressive ability to utilize samples. What’s your process for finding sounds?
I’ve listened to music every day since I was a child. It’s like a memory in my mind, what sounds trigger a certain mood or emotion. When I hear it, I just know, then I try to catch that feeling in my use of the sample.
WWD: Vinyl plays a unique role in the electronic scene, as labels and artists juggle the benefits and risks of utilizing wax. Explain the importance of a physical record for your music.
I think it doesn’t matter for my music in particular. I just prefer vinyl, maybe because I’m used to it and it makes playing music more fun.
WWD: You’ve appeared on some of the most sought-after labels of our time. Which releases stand out to you when looking back on your career thus far?
Hmm, there are different EPs that stand out for different moments throughout the years. For me, everything started with my debut – Südwind EP on Pastamusik.
WWD: You’ve pay homage to hip-hop and pop characteristics through many of your projects. Explain the importance of non-dance music in developing your tastes as a producer and DJ.
Hip Hop is dance music! My production environment is dance music in general, but not only house music. I still spend a lot of time doing rap, hiphop, and pop productions for artists on major labels as well.
WWD: Very good point! Which artists or groups were influential in your path towards making music?
Rolling Stones, The Cure, David Bowie, Daniel Bell, Robert Hood, Prince, Herbert, etc, etc…
WWD: If you could collaborate with an artist who has passed away, who might that be?
I can’t say, to be honest. I have to know people first in person before knowing if I can work with them.
WWD: You aren’t afraid to slow things down a bit, asserting a laid-back groove as the backbone for many of your tunes. Do you try to live life in the slow lane?
I just try not to calculate so much…
WWD: What have been some of your must-play records recently?
Crystal Waters – Gypsy Woman
WWD: An absolute classic! You do a party with long-time friend Sascha Sibler in Augsburg called Forza Electronica every month or so. What’s special about these parties for you?
Parties at home with friends and homies are always the best . I’ve run Forza Electronic since 2007. It’s really nothing special, just a cool vibe with people I love to hang with.
WWD: Where did DJ Hotel stem from? What will be different about the music coming from your alter-ego?
I just like to use different names for different projects. It’s not new for me to do this – i find it boring to be doing the same style all the time, and new names give me a bit more flexibility.
WWD: Which labels, in your opinion, are leading the charge for quality music these days?
Nobody is ‘leading’, labels are all about taste and some things work for different people. I like Mountain People… always high quality music.
WWD: Can you clue us in to some projects you have in the works for the rest of 2020?
I just finished my second album ;). Remixes from DJ T, Marco Resmann, and some others…
WWD: Daniel, many thanks for joining us. Wishing you all the best over the next couple weeks, and hope to see you on the road soon!
Yes, hopefully!!!!
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