www.dallasdancemusic.com
...Continued
What kind of music can we expect to come out of Iron Box?
Bernhard: As mentioned before, I want to aim for minimal, deep, but funky techno and tech-house. But what exactly the direction of the label is going towards is hard to tell. Things change all the time, and what inspires me today, won't inspire me tomorrow. All I can say is that I definitely want to release music, which will be worth everyone's while.
Eric (Maetrik): Consistent music with integrity. Minimal and deep techno to be precise.
What are your thoughts on Dallas electronic music compared to the rest of the nation, do we have our own sound?
Bernhard: When it comes to techno, Dallas doesn't have a sound. If you think of all the serious techno DJ's and producers, you can count them on one hand. Being successful as a techno DJ in Dallas is virtually impossible. Dallas right now is very much into jungle, house, and high energy. It might be fair to say that Dallas does have its own sound in those genres, but I don't know enough about them to be the judge of that. But when it comes to techno, you have to know right people to find it in Dallas.
Eric: In my opinion, there are many potentially great artists in Dallas, but the scene and its lack of intelligence is severely impaling each artist's growth. Fortunately, those of us that can make music with a deep understanding, and inane seriousness, can move on to positively impact an industry filled with locally invincible artists. In other words, think nationally and internationally, not locally. One day we may have "Our own sound."
Do you think Dallas producers get the recognition they deserve?
Bernhard: That's hard to say, how many Dallas producers are there that really do the work to get recognition? I think the producers that go out, promote, release records, and for short, work their asses off to get there, I think they don't get enough respect. Some do, but most don't. Then again, there are a lot of producers and DJ's that ask for respect, when they didn't do anything for it. Also, if producers really want the respect in Dallas, they have to leave Dallas and work from the outside in. but that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Eric: Producers never get respect and recognition in their own town. It's a fact of life. People just can't believe that a guy from their own backyard can make music along side their favorite artists
Where can we go buy your music?
Bernhard: Any local record store should have it, but your best bets would be, Illmatic Records, Core Records, Tech-sun Records.
Who inspires you musically and/or otherwise and why?
Bernhard: Everything. I'm a big music head; I listen to anything and everything all the time. I grew up on heavy metal, and I'm still a big listener of Metallica, Tool, Pantera, and so on. But on the other hand, I'm an electronic music nut as well. Industrial like Skinny Puppy (Cevin Key, Download), and Nine Inch Nails; To many other types of music (film music, jazz, trip hop, reggae). I have many influences, and I'm a fan of a lot of music. In the past, it has happened that Tool has inspired me to write a hard techno song. So I can't mention one or a few names that inspire me.
Eric: Without listing many artists, all the innovators of electronic music new and old. Sometimes even obscure artists that make music out of a cave somewhere in the world.
What do you think of the current state of the Dallas Scene?
Bernhard: It sucks and I think I'm not the only one feeling that. Especially when it comes to my kind of music. In general, the police have shown very little tolerance when it comes to parties. On the other hand, I think they have a good reason to shut down so many of those parties. There are so many drugs and fucked up kids at these parties that it's not even funny anymore. But that exact excuse is used by the police to shut down much more parties than they should. However, I think if we want to the police to respect us, we have to respect them. As stubborn many around here can be, I don't see any positive change like that anytime soon. And with clubs gaining popularity, underground parties are having serious trouble keeping up.
Eric: I'm sure that anyone who knows me would understand my militant attitude about Dallas. I dislike many things about the scene. Plus I'm pretty sensitive, and the scene has a direct affect on how I feel periodically. Right now, I'm depressed.
When is your next release?
Bernhard: The next release on iron box is available in July, the one after that featuring Ill76 (Lacy Lawson) and Maetrik (Eric E.) will be out in September. If you want to know more about it, go to the website ironboxmusic.com and check the releases section.
Do you want to thank anyone?
Bernhard: I'd like to thank Mother Nature for creating something as cool as music. I also have to give big thanks to my Mom and Dad who have been supporting me all the way with my musical venture. I'm totally blessed with having them as my parents. Big thanks to Eric (Maetrik) for helpful advice and great music! Also, thanks to Stefan Anion (The Mind Theory) for introducing me to Techno and for good times! Thanks to all the people in Dallas who do appreciate techno and tech-house-and have bought my records *smile.* Last but not least, all my friends that have made my stay in the US a pleasant one! Thanks!
Eric: Thanks to my close friends, peers, and of course my family. Also those of you that support our Tuesday weekly at the Red Blood Club.
Do you have anything else you would like to add?
Bernhard: DALLAS! OPEN YOUR EARS TO TECHNO! IT'S SOOOOO COOL! And don't do drugs, they just fuck you up and cost lots of money!
Eric: Support your local artists. Especially the ones that miraculously put Dallas on the map.