Having been producing and releasing music since the mid ‘90s, German artist Mathias Schaffhäuser has seen and done it all, and three decades later he’s still keeping the pace.
His next outing will see him make a welcomed return to the Suleiman imprint, for the release of his forthcoming ‘6 Uhr Morgens’ EP, which includes 5 new versions of the original mix – which came out on his 1999 released ‘Lido Hotel’ LP.
We spoke to the Cologne-based producer to talk about the new tracks, his approach to working with different record labels, and where else we might see him release his music in the near future. Read the full interview with Mathias Schaffhäuser below.
Hi Mathias, we hope you’re well at the moment, how is life in Cologne?
I’m fine, and Cologne is as lively and as interesting as ever.
And did you get up to anything particularly special during the summer months?
I spent my summer holiday in Bavaria at a beautiful lake, I love the area and the food there. But I also worked on my next album a lot, which will be released in 2024.
You’re preparing for the release of your forthcoming ‘6 Uhr Morgens’ EP, which brings new edits of your 1999 original, what made you decide to revive the track more than two decades later?
The idea to write lyrics came after I’d already written the original. If I remember correctly, it was in the middle of the night, probably half asleep, maybe even dreaming about it, but I got up and wrote down the lyrics. When I had finished the vocal version, it was clear that a club mix had to be made, so one thing led to another.
The release includes four new versions from yourself, how would you describe the tracks in your own words?
On the one hand, the new versions are very close to the original, but the vocal adds a whole new dimension that compliments the synth melody. They give the track a new flair, something light, and with more pop appeal. In the club mix, it becomes a hybrid of dancefloor rocker and pop, which is something I like very much.
And there’s a remix from Pawas, what’s your thoughts on that?
His mix is great! I sent Pawas an early version of the vocal mix, as we’re friends, and every now and then we send each other new stuff that we’re working on. He spontaneously made a remix of it without a commission. Darem is the boss of Suleiman Records, and he agreed to put the remix on the EP, as he really liked the reworked version.
You’ve previously worked with labels like Snork Enterprises, Ware Records, and Suleiman, what tempts you into working with one record label over another?
It varies. Sometimes labels ask me if I have something new for them, sometimes I approach them because I think my new production would fit well with them. I have quite a wide stylistic range, and there are hardly any labels that cover it completely. Except of course for my own label, WARE Records, but I can’t release all my productions there, as the label is too small for that.
And which labels might we see you on over the next few months?
In March 2024, the third album of my project FANATICO X will be released on Miami’s Hallucienda Records, which is run by DJ Three. FANATICO X is a collaboration with New York singer Jorge Socarrás from the great indie band Indoor Life, and he’s also worked with Patrick Cowley in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. In autumn 2024 I’ll also be releasing my first solo album, which features me singing on every track. Until now, my releases usually had only one or two tracks with my vocals or none at all, so I’m quite excited for this release. The album will be called ‘Singing About It’ and I’m currently in negotiations with a few labels who are interested in releasing it.
Is there anything else you want to mention before we finish up?
Stay healthy. Thank you to all my fans who have supported me over the years, I hope you all enjoy the new version of ‘6 Uhr Morgens’.
Mathias Schaffhäuser – 6 Uhr Morgens EP is out November 17th on Suleiman.