Interview: Five Minutes with Anja Schneider

Image credit: Jacqueline Wiesner

Perfection is a continuously evolving concept to Anja Schneider, as she displays with a string of reworks, remixes and new edits of her past work. The talented producer, radio broadcaster, DJ and label boss has just unleashed five new works of art. Well known for her single, ‘All I See’ (originally released in 2018), Schneider has reworked her own creation into a 2021 edit, then invited some rising talent (BAUGRUPPE90 and Matrefakt) from her label (Sous Music) to try their hands at remixing her work. Bitten with the remix bug, the producer quickly turned her eyes to an older single – ‘Dubmission’ which was released in 2014. Here, Schneider allowed herself to go in two startling different directions with the 2021 edit displaying soft, percussive framework while the 2021 rework enveloped progressive breaks and strong drum work.

Stream / Download ‘All I See’ and ‘Dubmission’

Somehow, despite her busy schedule, Anja Schneider has found time to act as an official spokesperson for the artists under the Booking United umbrella. The association stands for the rights and interests of DJs and booking agencies within Germany who have had their livelihoods affected by the COVID lockdown. Her involvement here has been vast – from organising demonstrations on the streets of Berlin to submitting petitions to parliament and she has been considered as one of the forerunners in this initiative.

While we only had a few minutes with the busy producer, we were eager to touch on as many intriguing points as possible in the exclusive interview below:

‘All I See (2021 Edit)’:

You’ve recently chosen to release two separate EPs on the same day (All I See and Dubmission). These both follow the release of your EP, Turning My Head earlier in January. What are your plans for the rest of the year – can we expect an equally busy schedule?

Yes, this is a special release as its new edits of two of my biggest tracks, one from AMobilee and the other on Sous along with both of the artists doing a remix for me on the ‘All I See’ package. I have been supporting BAUGRUPPE90 and Matrefakt since discovering them last year – they are both new and exciting duos who you’ll be seeing more on Sous this year. Matrefakt is from Liverpool and the UK and BAUGRUPPE90 from Berlin. I can also let you know what I have signed Black Girl/ White Girl for an EP later this year – really excited about that one, the girls are very talented, and I love what they have been doing. On a personal level, I am going to concentrate on my podcast series ‘Backstage’ and continue to bring on interesting guests from the music scene. I may have a couple more streams planned this year, as I didn’t do any in 2020.

Tell us about the two artists you’ve selected to remix your track ‘All I See’ (BAUGRUPPE90 and Matrefakt). Why does their sound stand out to you in particular?

BAUGRUPPE90 are a very young duo, and their music got me hooked with how fresh it sounds. Their strength lies in being able to mix any styles together without thinking about crossing over genres. They just make it work. I love their 90s approach, especially considering they are in their early 20s and have never been to a club!

With Matrefakt, I am a huge fan of their warehouse-style techno. Its techno but it has so much groove and funk. I think that it sounds very English, but fresh as hell. They are again a young duo who fear nothing and have a long future ahead of them. They made me dance a lot during the dark times of last year.

‘All I See (BAUGRUPPE90 Remix)’

You’ve taken your single ‘Dubmission’ in two very different directions, the one light and airy and the other progressive and driving. Tell us about your creative process as you revisited this track?

The year 2020 allowed me to experiment a bit in the studio, which I feel was healthy and exciting. I have always loved breaks and felt that this was the time if any, that you don’t have to produce tracks designed for the dancefloor given the clubs are closed. The enormous freedom you get when you can experiment is such an amazing feeling, and something I want to ensure I continue into 2021.

Last year you began to champion the Booking United initiative in an effort to assist thousands of German artists and creative agencies. Between organising demonstrations, petitions to parliament and lobbying politicians directly, do you feel that the German government have heard and respected their artistic people while providing them with the necessary support? 

The fact is that we still need a voice, and we need to be heard somehow. We have to help each other and save our culture which we have tried so hard to build to what is it today. I don’t have the feeling that politicians can’t see what we have done in the past and don’t look at the music industry from a business perspective. We pay our bills and taxes live all others, and yet we have been given no support from the Government, in comparison to constriction companies or airlines etc. Our jobs build an industry which is a huge revenue stream which seems to be forgotten. With Booking United we helped a lot of artists, agents and all industry workers with no jobs, to be placed into new positions in vaccine centres etc and help where they can. Not only to help alleviate the current situation but also to generate some sort of revenue for them.

‘All I See (Matrefakt Remix)’

Your own label, Sous Music has allowed you immense creative freedom. How do you select which artists to work with and encourage in a similar way?

I choose music that I love for the label, and the same goes for the people I work with too. I like to have a connection with that person and what they do. It’s quite simple, if I like it then we do it! When it comes to encouraging others, I think they just need to know and understand that everything is possible, and don’t be scared to branch out and do something different, just make sure whatever it is you do or make, you are doing it for yourself.

As times are uncertain for the music industry and the arts industry as a whole, how would you like to see people come together and support one another?

Being there for one another is the first step in providing support for your friends, family and colleagues. It’s such a simple thing to reach out and check in on people, I don’t think we are doing it enough. We need to talk to find new ways to survive and be creative and use your skills where you can apply it. As a speak for Booking United, we speak regularly with politicians to get our points across and some clarity on the situation. Listening to problems together, and trying to find ways to battle those united is the way to get through this.

‘Dubmission (2021 Rework)’

Finally, one last thought to leave your fans with?

We need support! The arts, including music is something that has helped many people get through these dark and depressing times. I think a lot of people take for granted how much music can bring and forgot what life would be like without it. Support your artists, buy their music and help them to continue to do what they love for you. I am so grateful than my fans have been there with me throughout the last year, following me on socials, interacting with my music, listening to my radio shows and more. It means the world and I love having that communication with everyone, as I miss everyone so much from not being at shows and feeling the energy from the crowd. We’ll be back sharing those moments soon. Much Love!

‘Dubmission (Original Edit)’

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By Sarah Britton