In the past five years, Philipp has gained work experience in places such as the Fabric Studio in London, the Herbal Night Club and at SAE London. Next to his DJ sets in the USA, Switzerland, Norway, Greece, Latvia and Poland, Philipp Ort played at several popular club nights in London such as Fabric London, Cargo, Herbal and Aquarium, just to name a few, as well as at his own monthly label nights. In Summer 2008 Philipp took the next step in his music career and setup his own record label Black&White Orange Records. In 2010 Philipp Ort has been signed to Resopal Schallware in Berlin and has successfully released several original tracks and remixes. From this point on Philipp has released his music on labels such as Roots & Wings Music, Natural Rhythm, Inmotion Music, Global Underground, Alive Recordings, Talk Musique, Trend Records, Draft, Tanzbar Digital, Blackrose Records and many others. In 2011, Philipp Ort setup his second record label Pins and Needles which is concentrating on the deep and groovy side of House and Techno music and will release music of many talented artists world wide. Philipp Ort’s House/Techno music is original, upfront, of high quality and most of all very recognisable.
…there are no restrictions, no limits, you can do and try out whatever you want. It’s total freedom in House and Techno and this is very important for me to be able to express myself with my music.
Tzinah Records: So how did all begin for you?
Philipp Ort: It all really started with Hip Hop in the 90s when I was mc-ing with a couple of mates and did a few gigs but then got more and more into dj-ing and began playing Drum n’Bass. After moving to London, my passion became House and Techno music and it didn’t changed ever since.
Tzinah Records: Where did your name come from?
Philipp Ort: Let’s give you a hint…it’s almost my real name!
Tzinah Records: What role does the artist have in society in your opinion? Why do you do what you do?
Philipp Ort: As an artist you have the ability to express yourself with different mediums and entertain people and make them feel good with what you love to do. In my case it’s obviously music and I love to make people dance and give them a great time with music they probably never heard before.
Tzinah Records: Why did you choose to play this music?
Philipp Ort: Since I have started clubbing regularly and switched from Drum n’Bass to Techno over ten years ago I just couldn’t get enough of the 4/4 beats. As well production wise, there are no restrictions, no limits, you can do and try out whatever you want. It’s total freedom in House and Techno and this is very important for me to be able to express myself with my music.
Tzinah Records: Describe a real-life situation that inspired you.
Philipp Ort: Every day inspires me in a different way and from there I take ideas with me to the studio.
Tzinah Records: What is your point of view on labeling genres? Music is so complex and genres get intermingled so often these days. What is your opinion regarding this blend and you think we should find names for them or just let them be?
Philipp Ort: I do not care about labeling genres at all. It just doesn’t matter to me. If the track is good and I like it, I like it whatever genre it may be. I appreciate musical diversity and I believe you can hear that in my dj sets as well.
Tzinah Records: What do you think about the music scene in your country? What is your opinion about European underground music scene, new talents, old producers, what do you think about Romanian artists?
Philipp Ort: I believe the scene in the UK is very healthy and at the forefront of dance music but it definitely has changed a lot in recent years. I don’t think change is only negative though as a lot of new ideas are jumping up constantly and it’s a very creative competition which drives the music into totally new directions which you never thought would work before. The same counts for Europe in general in my opinion and there are so many established as well as upcoming artists, promoters, brands, etc. who push the bounderies of dance music not just in Europe but world-wide. I’ve been collaborating with Romanian artists for a few years now and have also released a lot of their music on my labels which obviously shows my appreciation for the scene and talent coming from your country.
Tzinah Records: If you could pick one place you would like to play where would it be and why?
Philipp Ort: The Awakenings at Gashouder in Amsterdam is definitely a place I’d like to play. The style and production of this venue is just out of this world!
Tzinah Records: If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry what would it be?
Philipp Ort: I think it’s a natural progression of what’s going on in the music industry and to be honest with you it totally reflects the time and society we live in. Therefore I don’t think I would change much, just keep evolve it instead.
Tzinah Records: Out of all tunes you have made, which one you think ‘never fails’?
Philipp Ort: I Need Some Freedom ft Joe Le Groove
Tzinah Records: How do you see yourself changed over the years, both personal and music-wise and what did you learn?
Philipp Ort: I have learned and experienced a lot about the music industry during the past 10 years and I believe I can use this knowledge and skills to keep inventing myself, stay fresh and on top of things over the coming years.
Tzinah Records: What inspires you to keep going and how do you keep yourself motivated?
Philipp Ort: It’s my passion for music and life that keeps me going and motivated.
Tzinah Records: What else do you do besides playing music?
Philipp Ort: I’m working on a lot of different projects at the moment, not just musical projects and I run my own business which keeps me very busy.
Tzinah Records: What makes you angry?
Philipp Ort: Ignorance and arrogance.
Tzinah Records: What is your favorite food?
Philipp Ort: Well that’s a hard one to answer. I love food in general and I’m always interested to try out new things but I’m a big fan of Asian food.
Tzinah Records: What computer/gear do you use?
Philipp Ort: I’m working with Logic 9 on an iMac with lots of Arturia and NI Komplete plug-ins as well as a Virus B and a Korg Electribe MX.
Tzinah Records: It sounds quite easy to make music today, with the amount of software programs/synths being readily available for everyone. What do you think about this evolution?
Philipp Ort: I love technology and I do agree it makes it a lot easier to produce music, it’s available for everyone now. There is a lot of music out there which is cool but unfortunately the quality is suffering a lot nowadays. I like that the options are limitless with all the plug-ins, effects, etc. and that’s what music is all about in my opinion – being able to create whatever you want without any restrictions.
Tzinah Records: Dark electronic music has been never as “popular” throughout the scene as it has been in the past few years. Why do you think there is this newfound fascination for darker music?
Philipp Ort: Well I just think it’s an organic development in dance music and there is always one style more ‘popular’ than the other and it looks like that at the moment it is the more darker music, as you call it.
Tzinah Records: Do you have the fondness for playing vinyl or have you developed a preference for new media, such as CDs or a purely digital format?
Philipp Ort: I’ve been playing vinyl since over ten years now and still can’t get enough of it. On my gigs I usually play CD’s and vinyl but I like the idea of a pure live set with Ableton and lots of analogue gear too.
Tzinah Records: What are you working on at the moment? Any present and future projects that you want to share with us?
Philipp Ort: I’m working on my new EP for Wiggle Records which will be out next year. I have also signed my follow up EP on Natural Rhythm and one on Decay Records which I’m really looking forward to release in 2014. Apart from that I’m working a lot on my labels where I signed some amazing music and artists, so it’s looking very exciting for next year!