Chris Liebing is a well-known figure in the world of techno music, coming from Germany. He wears many hats as a DJ, music producer, and radio host, and he’s also the person behind the record label CLR. Chris Liebing is incredibly influential in the techno scene. His contributions to the genre are significant and lasting, but he continues to improve and develop his skills.
Interview with Chris Liebing
Hello Chris, The LoudLife team is happy that you could find the time to chat with us. Could you describe the moment that catalyzed your passion for techno music and led you into the techno scene?
That was in the early 90s. I was already DJ-ing for quite a while, yet no Techno. I played Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Acid Jazz, and stuff like that and it wasn’t really one single moment that catapulted me into Techno music, but if I had to pinpoint an especially significant situation – there actually was one. I was with my older sister and her boyfriend in a club in Karlsruhe. I think the place was called“Normal” and I was standing at the side of the dance floor when the DJ dropped Jaydee´s “Plastic Dreams”. So I was standing on this dance floor and it just hit me. I said to myself that THIS is the music I want to play because with this music I will be able to achieve what I always tried to achieve, to create this wall of sound, this never-ending mix of beats and grooves and music you can get yourself lost in. That was the moment when I realized this and I still remember it very well.
Facing the challenges of a long-standing career, where do you find fresh inspiration and how do you push the boundaries of your musical creativity?
One of the upsides of a long-standing career is that at some point you have built up quite some experience and have gained knowledge of when you are creative and when you are not. I found out that it doesn’t help if I force myself to be creative and once in a while I also need a break in order to motivate myself in the studio again. Luckily those phases are very rare. I really like to live in the moment and I don’t have the tendency to indulge in the past. I try to stay in the moment and that’s where creativity is happening. I never really felt like I’ve made it and I think that continuously pushes me to keep up with what’s going on. There is so much fresh talent out there and new ideas you can learn from. It’s really exciting to be able to combine the knowledge, the routine, and the experience you have gained over the years with all the new things that are happening.
Nowadays, parties and DJ sets take place not only in clubs but also in special locations, have you played in any unconventional places lately where you enjoyed it?
A friend of mine here in Switzerland, in the mountains where I live, regularly does full moon parties. He calls them “Reverence” and he chooses pretty high up, wild little locations where people really have to make an effort to get there. It’s usually a small, intimate but amazing crowd and it’s normally unannounced. Playing out there in nature, looking at a full moon that lights up white mountains is always a pretty beautiful sight.
One of the extraordinary locations, where you’ll be performing is COAL Hall in the Czech Republic – a historic industrial space. How do you anticipate the Czech crowd in such a combination?
I have looked up the location online and I am very, very looking forward to coming and playing there. I always had a special love for the Czech crowd since the beginning of my DJ career and I am so looking forward to be able to come back to play and have this awesome combination going on.
Can you tease any upcoming projects, collaborations, or directions that Chris Liebing is excited to explore in his music?
I am really enjoying the music that I am playing right now. It reminds me of the – let’s say “good old Techno days”, but with a very modern touch. I usually try not to talk about things I haven’t finalized or finished yet, but I am currently working on a new album, here in my little studio in Switzerland. It’s gonna be a Techno album that lays out the way I feel Techno at the moment. I am pretty excited to hopefully still release it this year. Apart from that I am very happy about how my label CLR is doing at the moment. I have the pleasure of releasing the music of so many new amazing artists, so keep an eye out for that. The next release will be by The Southern called “Particles EP” and it’s pretty big.
The LoudLife team enjoyed your performance at the MYSTIK event, hosted by Ida Engberg at Club Chinois last year. Are there any plans for more performances together and possibly a residency at Chinois this year?
Oh, you were at this event, that is amazing, so nice! Yeah, Ida and I had a lot of fun playing together. We are kind of looking into more possibilities to play together here or there. Her MYSTIK night in Ibiza was the perfect place to do so. Ida hasn’t yet finally decided if she wants to do another season this year, as there really is a lot of time and work involved in an undertaking like this. But keep an eye out for it, because it might happen sooner or later again.
Thank you, Chris, for your time, and enjoy your time in the Czech Republic soon!
Thank you very much for your interest, I am really looking forward to coming back to the Czech Republic!
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