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2009's been a busy year for German producer Nick Curly. Seemingly overnight, the native of the small satellite town has been at the vanguard of a wave of producers who are breaking down the walls between house and techno, to the extent that it's now sometimes impossible to see where one begins and the other ends.

Not only is he a highly respected producer and DJ, but he's also behind the labels 8bit and Cécille, both of which have their first compilation CDs coming out over the next month. 8Bit Reasons, mixed by Nick himself features tracks from Joris Voorn, Nima Gorji and Johnny D, with a lot of unreleased material.

Meanwhile, Cécille launches it's 'From Frankfurt to Mannheim' series with a double CD mixed by Reboot and Sascha Dive. It features labels and artists from around the Mannheim and Frankfurt area like 8bit, Oslo, Playhouse, Deep Vibes, Raum and of course, Cécille itself.

You're sometimes described as being one of the main exponents of a so-called 'Mannheim Sound'. How would you describe it to somebody who hasn't heard it yet?
"I´m not sure what the people mean when they say 'Mannheim Sound'. Everybody is speaking about that at the moment, but for me and my friends from Mannheim, it's a sound that we've been playing for many years. We're only doing what we did five years ago! It´s definitely house music - OK, sometimes we also play some techno tracks or other stuff, but the main thing is house."

How do you think Mannheim has influenced you?
"Mannheim influenced me a lot. Especially my friends, and the early parties here. Ten years ago, me and my friends went to a place called Vibration Club. It was in a forest  between Mannheim and Karlsruhe, and these where the first steps which got me into this music.  A place here in Mannheim called Club Milk was very important for this whole scene."

"It was a very interesting time for me, and maybe the best time when it came to club music. The people where free, very euphoric, and very much into the music. My first steps into music and parties where when I became resident at Vibration Club. After that, I started the  Project with my friends Johnny D and Ray Okpara,  and the Clash parties once a month with my friend Stefano Libelle. From these experiences, I decided to start the 8Bit label with my partner Gorge, and two years later the Cécille label with my partner Marc."

A lot of people are talking about a 'house revival' at the moment: do you think it's genuine?
"I think. house never left! The people are happy that the 'real house sound' is back again, and the time of the dark minimal sound is over. People like the fresh sound, which perfect for the summer!

Who have been the biggest artists to influence you?
"One of the biggest artists that influenced me is DJ Sneak. I really like most of his stuff, and I´m totally happy that I have a track from him on our Cécille Records Summer Compilation."

Outside of music, what has influenced you?
"Good question. Lot´s of things influence me every day. Maybe a good book, things that happen every day in my life, something positive or negative."

What's the best gig you've ever played, and the worst?
"Very difficult question. I had many really good gigs this year yet. Not sure which one was the best. The Cécille night in Gran Canaria in February was really nice. Worst gig? That was one a gig promoter cancelled a few days before..."

What things irritate you about dance music culture?
"I´m really happy with the situation in the dance music culture, really. I think one thing that I would change is that the clubs should open a bit earlier, and the people should arrive in time, but I think that will be a dream for ever."

Which artists excite you at the moment who we might not have heard of yet?
"There are a lot talented artists on my labels -  people like Ethyl & Huxley, Alex Niggeman, Veitengruber are great examples. But I'm also always exited when I hear the new stuff from my friends like Gorge, Reboot, SIS, Johnny, Ray, Robert, Markus. All of those guys produce amazing stuff."

Do you have any particular philosophy towards life?
"Live now, enjoy every second and be happy!"

And finally... What's your all-time favorite filling for a sandwich?
"It´s salmon, salad and a good sauce!"

www.myspace.com/nickcurly8bit | www.myspace.com/cecillerecords | www.myspace.com/8bitrecord