20 Questions: Apparat

Apparat
DJ-Kicks
!K7

“Sasha Ring’s work under his Apparat moniker has always been evolving; over three albums on the Shitkatapult label and the collaborative full lengths with Ellen Allien and Modeselektor as Moderat on Bpitch Control, he’s surprised a lot of listeners with his output. Confined to little or no definitive style his music has always been in a constant state of metamorphosis, simultaneously breaching new waters and staying true to his unique spirit of musical openness and his obvious passion for sound design.” — !K7 Records

1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?

I just saw Inception which didn’t make me cry, but it definitly impressed me and made me start writing down my dreams again. I´m pretty certain this can be a huge source of inspiration and by forgetting them every morning — just cause I´m too lazy to grab my little notebook — I´m wasting a lot of ideas…

2. The fictional character most like you?

Maybe its this one smurf that hates everything? Seriously. I used to be pretty grumpy but I think it’s under control now. I figured out that I´m the one who suffers most under my own bad mood.

3. The greatest album, ever?

Never really been into the Beatles. So no Sgt. Peppers here. I have many favorite albums and they keep changing. If you want to hear one: Autechre’s Amber definitly changed my life. I heard it when I was 17 and it made me realize there is so much more than just techno. I can’t tell how many times we were sitting in the little basement-flat of my best friend tripping to Amber completely stoned. We also had this old blue VW Golf 1. Think the number plates were stolen and noone really had a driving license. I installed the soundsystem. Sometimes we just drove through the night listining to something like this. Good old times…

4. Star Trek or Star Wars?

Star Trek when I was younger, but I recently got into Star Wars. I was in Chicago three years ago, mixing my Walls album with Josh from Telefon Tel Aviv and this guy knows every dialog of every Star Wars movie. I just had to watch them. He was here a few weeks ago and episode three was on TV, a German version. He was like “No problem bro” and started lip syncronizing every character. Guess he´s seen it 50 times…

5.Your ideal brain food?

Its really hard to “feed my brain” when I´m in my usual environment. Berlin somehow just keeps me busy with little things and whenever I want to take some time off and read I get distracted right away. The last time I succeded reading something interesting was during winter in Mexico. I got up at eight in the morning and started reading a nerdy book about KYMA. A sound computing language.

6. You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?

I´d say its all about the contrast. Working with people can be easier as you can just pass the song over when you get stuck. But it also includes endless discussions you dont have to deal with when you’re doing your own thing. When something is finally done it dosnt really matter if I did it on my own or as a part of a team — it feels like its my baby in any way.

7. You want to be remembered for…?

I don´t know if I really have a desire to be remembered for something special at all. I usually don´t really make music for the audience. It’s something I have to do and of course its super nice that people care, but I would do the same if they didn’t. I don´t really have big ambitions to become legendary or something like that. I´d already be really happy if I manage to be alright during my lifetime.

8. Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are?

Kevin Shields, Eric Satie, Arvo Pärt, Thom Yorke, Richard D. James, Brian Ferry, Jeff Buckley, Steve Reich — just some random names coming to my mind.

9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?

If I would have done it I´d surely be not convinced it’s a masterpiece. No matter what it is.