Hailing from Poland, via Detroit to Berlin, Magda, a name synonymous with the very best the current upfront minimal house scene has to offer, has now also found herself a home here in Leeds. It's all part of Technique's fourth birthday at the Mint Club. Chris King - For those that have never heard you play before, please describe your sound? Magda - I never really know how to describe my sound because it’s always slightly changing but I guess no matter how minimal, weird, hard or slow it may be, I always try to make sure it’s led by a thick dirty groove. As a clubber first, DJ second, Producer third; Would you say that Dance music is as strong today as it was when you first started DJing in ‘96? I think dance music is very strong today, especially since people in all parts of the world can find out about it and all its genres through the Internet. However, I do think it is much stronger in Europe than in North America at the moment. There seems to be more interest. Richie Hawtin is a huge admirer of your DJing talent. How much would you say your recent popularity in the UK is down to his support? Or through the time you have spent slowly crafting your own sound and style? I think both things happened. Actually, the UK was one of the first European gigs I did. That was with Richie at The End in London and we have played there several times after. I think those shows really did a lot for me. Richie and I have always played differently but we compliment each other well. Through time people got used my sound more as I played gigs on my own and that’s how its developed. You’ve clearly embraced the current developing trend in DJ technology (Final scratch being a clear example). Is this technology improving the scene, or is it inadvertently removing the need for talent from your average club DJ? I think as technology simplifies the work of the DJ, it also creates many new opportunities that were not available before. This is why the role is becoming much more complex and interactive than just playing vinyl. You can really be as creative as you want with modified mixers, different software, and other tools and gadgets. The line between a live performance and a DJ set is getting blurred and that’s what makes things unique and interesting. You’ve played at some of the biggest clubs in the world. What is more important to you, the club sound system or the atmosphere the crowd produces when you play? The sound system is the most important factor because that’s the one thing that can really affect everything. If the sound is c**p then people can’t hear how the records should properly sound and it takes away from the atmosphere. If I can’t hear what I’m doing I can’t get into it as much and it shows. At the same time, if there is no crowd there is no party and no point to have sound at all, so it’s also important. 2004 was a very big year for you. What should we expect from you in 2005? Many more releases and collaborations as well as a minus mix cd. Technique fourth birthday,
Mint Club,
Magda & Steve Bug - Saturday 5 February 2005
James Zabiela & Meat Katie - Saturday 19 February 2005 | 
