Johannes Volk runs Exploration Records and is also known for releases on Axis, Sistrum and Dolly. We hope you enjoy number 18 of our podcast series!
Hi Johannes how are you and what have you been up to recently?
Hey, I’m fine! Thanks for having me for this interview and your podcast! Besides music production I’m just really into things like Hyperspace, Wormholes and how dimensional questions influenced the art during the history. Paintings by Salvador Dali, Picasso and stuff like that. It’s a big inspiration for my music and for new concepts.
How is your label Exploration going?
Exploration is going well, it’s been a while since the last release, because I’ve worked on many other projects. I’ve learned a lot during the last years and it’s still a lot of fun to paint the artworks, think about the track titles and creating sonic landscapes. EXP-009 coming in October, you can already listen to a little preview on soundcloud.
You live in Gießen. How would you describe the city and how is the scene there?
Gießen is a very young city, over 30000 students at a populution of only 80000. The pace of life is not so fast and expensive here, we have a nice river right on the doorstep. The botanic garden is the oldest in germany and in combination with the weekly market it’s a tip during the warmer months. I really like it, especially since we have a child I appreciate these advantages. There’s no real scene here anymore, but a little network. You can definitely find a few soul mates which are into electronic music too. Back in the days Chris Liebing started his Spin Club in Gießen and Downtown Records was the heart of the scene here. I think today there are 3 or 4 good partys a year, that’s it. Maybe I’m already too old to know the underground hot spots.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you choose and why?
Too be honest, It’s very difficult for me to make music with other artists, I’ve tried it a few times and I was never really satiesfied with the result. For me it’s much more interesting to listen, dance and talk about music with friends or other artists. That’s the biggest inspiration for me.
Some new and some old shit you’re digging right now?
Voiski is definitely my favourite artist these days, his music sounds so fresh and it has this raw energy, I can’t get enough of it. I’m always on the search for old records, during the last weeks I’ve tried to get a overview of Vince Watson’s discography, I really like his Nico Awtsventin pseudonym.
What annoys you or has pissed you off lately?
I think racism, religious fanaticism and social exclusion reached a new level during the last months. It’s so sad to see what happens in Syria, Iraq or at the borders to Europe. All these nationalists in many european countries and stuff like this.
What excites you besides music?
Our daughter, cooking, movies, books
Anything coming up you want to share with us? Any shout-outs or final statements?
There’s a couple of new Ep’s coming out during the next months on Dolly, Tief and Finale Sessions with beautiful Remixes of Efdemin and Luke Hess…and finally the new Exploration in October.