Interview: Five Minutes with Christoph Dahlberg
Music producer Christoph Dahlberg has just announced a brand new song ‘Never Goodbye’ from his forthcoming album Time which is set to be released on the 8th of May 2020 via Sonderling/Fruehling records.
“This album has changed a lot for me, personally and creatively. I felt like turning numb emotionally. By working on the new songs I have felt all those great emotions again, which really floored me. On one hand, this was kind of scary, but for me as an artist also extremely inspiring.”
Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
Because I have to do that and I discovered it must be that way.
To me, it is essential to have creative output.
It is my way to speak and interact with my environment – without using any words.
Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
At first, there is an idea out of which I create a beat and play the first notes.
After that everything just starts to float.
Does your material feature any collaborations?
On my first single `Guardians´ Saskia Arndt (Audia) joined me with a unique vocal line.
Furthermore, I often use other vocal samples that I find here and there or I record with vocalists, to cut reinvent their lines afterwards.
What’s on your current playlist?
Ben Frost
Olafur Arnalds
Rachael Boyd
Apparat
Chopin
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
It’s a melancholic silent situation. I like to have my instruments set up on the floor so that the audience is able to follow the process of the live set and the tweaking of my machines. Although it looks like an electronic live act at first, to me it is a heartwarming concert experience that’s different every evening. I’m truly nervous before getting on stage as if I was a solo instrumentalist.
Take us through a day in the recording studio.
Get up at 8 am, prepare a black tea with brown sugar and oat milk.
Take a shower and run the machines at 8:30 am
Starting my production and finding ideas up to 11/12 am.
An hour of walking the dogs at the Baltic Sea.
Lunch
2 pm second step of composing: having a look for a small first arrangement
and finishing between 6 and 8 pm usually.
Sometimes 1hour of sleep and hanging out with my machines up to 11 pm.
That´s my favourite situation.
Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?
When I was 18 years old, my flatmate came up with an interest in Djing and video projection. We started to do visual experiments and created tiny light installations by projecting to the walls of the building on the other side of our street. In these days I fell in love with losing myself in the process of creating something.
Any emerging artists on your radar?
My friend Marta del Grandi! She is an amazing vocalist and musician from Italy and you should check her out. For more Info scroll down, please 🙂
Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.
Dave Smith Prophet 6, Clavia Nordstage 3, Korg Minilogue, Sherman Filterbank, Elektron Analog 4,
Dave Smith Tempest, Native Instruments Maschine, Moog Delay, Strymon Timeline Delay,
Knas Reverb and Venice&Midas F32. My main DAW is Cubase.
Any side projects you’re working on?
My second main project is the visual arts. I create contemporary sculptural and installation pieces, also as Christoph Dahlberg.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
When the album release of `Time` is through, I will focus on a next record featuring the voice Marta del Grandi, which I mentioned earlier. May you stay awake for this one. I´m very much looking forward!
Follow Christoph Dahlberg online
