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In my mind Martin Buttrich's work ethic pre ‘real-name' was like that of the archetypal producer. Dance music is one of the only genres where being an artist goes hand in hand with being the producer. So the role of the dance music producer is somewhat enigmatic.

Since Martin Buttrich became ‘Martin Buttrich' he has released a staggering amount of tracks and remixes, and started the credible Desolat label with one time employer Loco Dice. For any electronic producer, making a debut solo album is a big step. Martin seems to be really throwing his hat into the ring with the self-aware title of debut Buttrich LP ‘Crash Test', which he will support with a tour- the official release party being at Timewarp.

I wanted to find out how it was, after making music since 1992 under different names and aliases, to finally make the ‘Martin Buttrich' album.

So how long did this album take to make from start to finish?
From start to finish, it took 15 months. I decided to do it in Summer 2008, and started collecting ideas. In October I took 3 months out from gigs to focus on the production and to finish it off.

Are you happy with it?
First of all, I'm happy I finished it. It's the first electronic album I made by myself without any production partner.

How much does this album represent your own style and influences?
It definitely represents the more danceable part of me. I wanted to keep ‘Crash Test' as an electronic dance album without filling it with too many different genres or styles. Though elements of funk and jazz will appear in most of my tracks, it is more as a feeling or thought than a sample.

Are you looking forward to playing your new album live at Timewarp?
Yes I am, it's my first gig in Europe in almost 5 months. I'm curious about how people will receive ‘Crash Test', and of course I'm looking forward to performing it live. It's another exciting chapter; Time warp is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and it's a great opportunity to show electronic music fans and my peers what I have created. Timewarp has some serious visuals and you're definitely going to hear new music from the album and more.

Do you think events like Timewarp- that celebrate all facets of electronic music during the week leading up to the event- pave the way for an evolution in the genre? I wasn't really anonymous. It's just the nature of the producer and composer to spend more time in the studio than anywhere else...
Yes! It's not only about raving; there are workshops and ‘Jetztmusikfestival'. You spend the whole week in Mannheim seeing and hearing interesting stuff and then dance your ass off at the end. People invest lots of time and passion into it, and I'm glad to see Timewarp developing in that direction.

So what made you feel that the time was right to release under your real name?
There was never a point where I felt "now it's time that I step into the spotlight," I just ran out of project names!

Do you feel that there is more equality for you as an artist next to Loco, now you are both definitively separated as artists?
Loco Dice and I started Desolat together almost three years ago, we've been friends and partners for much longer and we compliment one another pretty well.

Do you like the anonymity being behind the scenes gives you, or did you use to and it changed?
I wasn't really anonymous. It's just the nature of the producer and composer to spend more time in the studio than anywhere else. All that changed was that I started performing live in front of an audience, so people who just love dancing became aware of me, not just people who read album credits.

How active of a presence are you in the studio?
I'm definitely a very active person when it comes to music. I'm straightforward; probably not always the easiest person in the studio, but certainly an active one!

What does it mean to you to have production as a professional career?
I'm very thankful that it's possible to do my favourite thing as a profession. I never thought that I was going to do what I'm doing now. It all happened by accident. At a young age I was kicked out on my own but fortunately things came together. If it didn't happen I may never have started making music.

What happened?
I got kicked out of an apartment my parents were renting for me at the time.

I wanted to keep ‘Crash Test' as an electronic dance album without filling it with too many different genres or styles...That sucks. What did you do?
I crashed at a friend's apartment for a while. He had 2 pieces of equipment: a sampler and a synth. I just asked him if he could show me a few things on them. After that we worked together for a while.

Did it give you more focus?
Yeah, it definitely put the fire up my ass to push me into finding out what it was that I wanted to do. Without being kicked out I don't think I would have ever been so attached to music.

So did that affect your whole work ethic?
There was never anything in the past that caught my attention for longer periods of time. I always got quickly bored of stuff. Music is the only thing where it was and still is different.

So do you utilise this experience with your label and music?
As long as I have fun and can afford to make music, I will keep on doing it. I'm lucky to run Desolat with Loco; we have a good team and great artists. Sharing the responsibility of the business side helps the creative side. And with Desolat we definitely try to help younger people get the exposure they might need.

Tour Dates
10/03/2010 - THE LOFT - Minneapolis, USA
11/03/2010 - MOCT - Milwaukee, USA
12/03/2010 - SPY BAR - Chicago, USA
13/03/2010 - RELIV - Detroit, USA
16/03/2010 - MAI - Nashville, USA
17/03/2010 - BRISTOL BAR - Columbus, USA
18/03/2010 - FOOTWORK - Toronto, QB
19/03/2010 - STEREO - Montreal, QB
20/03/2010 - PACHA - New York, USA
21/03/2010 - PACHITA - New York, USA
23/03/2010 - AQUA - Washington, USA
24/03/2010 - SPACE - Miami, USA
25/03/2010 - WMC - Miami, USA
Official album release party
27/03/2010 at Time Warp, Mannheim.
www.time-warp.de

www.martinbuttrich.com | www.myspace.com/martinbuttrich | www.desolat.com | www.myspace.com/desolatmusicgroup