Doctor Dru is one of Germanys most respected DJ’s with a longstanding career that’s seen him play all over the world. He has also released labels on many iconic labels including Diynamic, KATERMUKKE and Exploited.
Most recently Doctor Dru has collaborated with exciting up and comer M.E.M.O. who’s a Spanish artist who already featured on Bedrock and Yoshitoshi.
The guys collaborative release is a two track EP out now on the influential Mobilee Records, and we caught up with the guys to find out more about the release…
> For the people reading this who haven’t heard your music before, how would you each describe your individual style, and the key elements that define it?
Doctor Dru: I’m coming from the drums so this is most of the time how I start . Laying down a groove that inspires me. I like deep and darker vibes, melodic and a touch of funk. Arpeggios are also often part of my tracks. The rhythmic shifting ones I love.
M.E.M.O: I really like music with a good groove and find the balance between the underground and something that is difficult to forget. At
these times of musical massification I think it’s very interesting to make timeless tracks and to get that I think a good hook is essential.
> Your most recent release is a collaboration on Mobilee, is this the first time you have made music together, and are there plans for future collaborations?
Doctor Dru: Yes, it was the first time we have collaborated. I haven’t done music with other producers for some time but I was missing the communication in the creative process. Throwing ideas back and forth. With Memo it was super fluent as he s a very relaxed guy with a lot of knowledge and openness. I also did a very fruitful collab with Audiofly this year resulting in a release and more to come beginning of next year. I personally want to collab more with other artists. You can learn and also give so much of your own knowledge and for me it’s a more natural process of making music.
M.E.M.O: I had fun and learned a lot working with Dru, it’s very interesting to be able to share knowledge and creative processes with producers I have always admired. I would love to repeat the experience soon and work together again. I am currently working in a collaboration with Pig & Dan, it´ll be our second ep together.
> Can you talk us through the release and the concept behind each of the tracks?
Doctor Dru: The setting was very nice. Memo has a beautiful house in the hills south of Malaga. In spring it is already quite warm down there. That was the vibe we have created in. “Barial” was the first idea we came up with. There was no real concept behind the tracks as we never worked together. So we let it flow. We both like the analogue stuff and Memo had machines I don’t have , like the Andromeda or the Monopoly. So thats what we fiddled around with of course and the melodies appeared.
M.E.M.O: Yes, all we thought about was letting go and experiment.
> How does the creative process of putting a track together differ when working in collaboration with another artist?
Doctor Dru: It s all about to give the each other the room to evolve and try to get the best out of each other. It’s about respect and being open to learn different approaches to making music. And in the right moment to retreat and let the other do and finalise an idea even if you maybe think you have to say something super important right now. I find it very exciting to learn different characters and finding your role in the creative process.
M.E.M.O: In the creative process we find the balance very easily because I used to put many tracks one after the other and Dru is more in the thought to erase and return to the essentials, so this way we don´t lose the focus. It´s very interesting to see how you can change the road absurdly with a track in excess.
> Who has been supporting the release, and are you scheduled to play any B2B gigs together?
Doctor Dru: We received a wide feedback throughout all genres. I don’t have the obligatory video of “ ..is playing my song” for you but received warm words and support of a lot artist I respect. I’m as well always very happy about feedback from Djs maybe not so known supporting my tracks and sending messages and charting our music.
Regarding any planned b2bs : You ll may find us on the line up of one of the next mobilee showcases and well let’s arrange an afterparty b2b.
M.E.M.O: Yes, we have received fantastic feedbacks from producers that I really admire and that is very positive when you have just launched a new work. I hope we can play together soon and share a good time outside the studio.
> What’s coming up next in each of your schedules, do you have any exciting gigs or other big releases in the pipeline?
Doctor Dru: I’m currently finalising my EP that should come beginning of next year. And I ‘m working on remixes and another exciting collab I hope to finish by the end of the year. Best is to watch my social media profiles where I will announce in time.
M.E.M.O: I have a few remixes that I am working on for the end of this year and preparing a new ep that will come to light very soon. (beginning of 2020)
> Could you each give some advice or words of wisdom to any aspiring producers who might look to your music for inspiration?
Doctor Dru: It’s the way to find balance between pushing and letting go. I’m still learning and sometimes I force myself too much. If you are not getting anywhere take a break and go for a walk. What helps me as well is to stricly take a break every two hours and reflect what you wanted to do. To not loose yourself in details that are not leading to a result.
Aside of this you need a lot of drive to make it as a producer / artist. Finding your sound takes time. Be patient and consistent. All the artists with a long spanning career took one step after another. Shooting stars are shining bright for a moment and then disappear real quickly.
M.E.M.O: I think the most important thing is to be happy and find a way to really do what you like, not to get carried away by trend.
I know it’s hard not to think about labels or artists that you like while you’re producing but what really counts is what comes out of your heart.
> Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today, we like to finish our interviews with a couple of questions that are a little bit light-hearted… without getting to personal, could you tell us something many don’t know about you?
Doctor Dru : I’m a fan of senseless knowledge. Did you know for example that hair knows when you sleep ?
M.E.M.O: I can check if my car is closed more than a couple of times 😉
Doctor Dru: Yes, I witnessed this. :=)
> You don’t need to mention names, but what’s the most “outrageous” thing you have ever seen happen in a club… was it something outrageously brilliant, like a blindfolded DJ mixing seamlessly and scratching with their elbows, or something outrageously cringe-worthy, like some embarrassing drunk person urinating on the dancefloor?
Doctor Dru: There are some outrageous things already so well documented in Insta world that I sometimes can’t believe my own eyes. And if it is not.. then.. yeah..leave it like this.
M.E.M.O: Seeing many new DJs with laptop and controller is outrageously shocking.
> Thanks for taking the time to speak with us today, is there anything either of you would like to add before we wrap up the conversation?
Doctor Dru : Did you know that taking selfies now causes more deaths than shark attacks? Keep your phones in the pocket and enjoy the moment!
M.E.M.O: Love is the only real way <3
> You can pick up a copy of the guys release on Mobilee Records from …HERE…
