From attractive blond TV presenters to IKEA and saunas, the Swedes' contribution to the modern world has been considerable. Leaving ABBA aside their input to the world of music has been no less substantial, especially in techno.

So it's no wonder I leapt at the opportunity to speak to Swedish techno marvel Carl Falk last month exclusively for motortechno.


RA:

Carl you've firmly established yourself as one of Europe's finest techno DJs and producers although I gather you haven't always been producing the tough driving beats synonymous with your name. On your Myspace you cite 1999, your year in London, as the time you first started banging-out techno, what's the story there?

CF:

It was my roommate that turned me on to proper techno. He had a couple of turntables and showed me how to mix, and it was probably from there a lot of inspiration came. I mean, the mixing and djing is a huge part of my whole perspective on the music. Back then everyone was playing with three decks, I remember being so impressed by all the techno DJs who were doing this. I was barely managing on two decks at the time and three deck super-fast mixing seemed like almost impossible. But you know...one practices and learns.
The bottom line is that I'm always focusing on the groove, the mixability, and the dance floor when I'm in the studio. This is reflected in my productions... I hope! But if I was to do it all over again. I think my sound would be similar. I like the groove, funk and the drums and I really like djing and mixing records. All music doesn't let you mix all the time.


RA:

Here at motortechno we have been massively impressed by the contribution Sweden and other Scandinavian producers have made to techno (Hertz, Beyer, Joel Mull to name but a few). What's the techno scene like there at the moment and if I was to hop on a Ryanair flight this weekend where would you send me?

CF:
Here in Stockholm the techno scene has always been quite small, believe it or not. Most clubs and promoters are doing minimal/electro or trance. But there are some promoters and clubs that are doing techno nights once in a while.
I would definitely recommend you to check out Monday Bars promotions. They have a broad spectrum and are mostly doing trance parties these days, but when they do a techno night... man, it's awesome.
There is also the club Vardagsrummet, it means "The Living room". They do special "Vardagsrummet Loves Techno"-nights. It's a super small venue but it attracts a big crowd on these nights. It's furbished as a living room with cosy sofas and coffee tables, but it always ends in total mayhem on the dance floor.



RA:

It was legends like Beyer and Carola, amongst others, who were major protagonists of your music before you had even left college. Their sound has obviously changed recently, is this just mellowing out with old age or are do you think they have other motivations?

CF:
It's a good question. And it's difficult to answer without sounding like I'm "against change" and progression. Music has always been about progression and development, especially techno. Sounds change, people change and the tools change. A lot of DJs and producers decided to make drastic changes to their sound a couple of years ago. I think that some were a bit too quick to abandon their style when they felt like "everyone else is doing it". In my opinion - music will always develop and progress. It's the natural way. But it's also easy and tempting to just jump on a trend, and it's too bad that so many heroes decided to jump on this one.

The bottom line is that there's nothing unusual about these trends and changes in style. It is going on constantly and it's important because it opens doors for new artists and new fresh sounds. I think the reason we're talking about this is because it happened so fast. But hey. That's the way it is... A lot of DJs who are synonymous with techno these days started out playing something completely different in the beginning of their careers.



RA:

The record industry has been going through some tough times recently, especially for small independent labels. Is it really on it's arse at the moment?

CF:
Yes. But this is not a problem just for the techno scene. The decline in sales is affecting the whole music industry, so I don't think its a genre thing. It's likely that it is due to the rise of digital media and the torrent of piracy that followed. Free downloads (piracy) results in bigger exposure, more people will listen to your music but you won't make any money. The piracy thing is devastating for bigger labels that rely on sales to be able to do the necessary promotion and marketing and even more devastating for the ultra-small indie labels that just barely are braking even these days.



RA:
Unlike many producers you are yet to collaborate with someone else to produce a track. Is this a conscious decision?

CF:
I'm kind of a loner when it comes to producing. I really like to be by myself in the studio. Not having anyone hanging over my shoulder following every step. Doing things my own way, you know. Some days I work really intensively and some days the wheels simply aren't spinning at all.
I'm not saying that I will never try a co-op, but to date I haven't felt the need for it because I feel that I get so much creative exchange from remixing other peoples tracks.



RA:
You are, as you say, a prolific remixer. Are there any records you're aching to meddle with but haven't had the chance?

CF:
There are a lot of tracks that I would love to remix/rework but if I have to choose one it would be Roger Devlins track "Scorpion". Its an acid track from 1996.


RA:
Last year seemed fairly a busy one for you productions -. Your Pirate Audio tracks were given a caning on the show. What have you got in store for us in 2008?

CF:
I definitely have good hopes for 2008. Just released Shuffle EP on HzTrax014 in January and I have some great releases in the pipeline. I think that I have refined my sound a bit over the last year in a good way. The tunes get bigger and better and the rhythms, funk and drums play a big part.


RA: Ok, to finish the interview I thought I'd change the topic slightly.. if you were throwing a party and could pick any 3 DJs to play, who would they be and why ?

CF:
Hmmm... only three DJs you say...

Dj Murphy - He is a great showman! Scratching, lighting turntables on fire and a good DJ too.

Ben Sims - He is the man! Great DJ, impeccable mixing skills, great producer. I'm a big fan.

Jeff Mills - Comment unnecessary :)