Patrice Meiner is a dj and producer living in Berlin, Germany. You may also know him as part of the duo Kabuto&Koji. Recently Patrice decided to move to Berlin after living in Costa Rica for 20 some years and playing extensively throughout north and south America to branch off from the duo and start to build his solo career. As Kabuto&Koji him and partner Leo Falfan, have a discography of memorable remixes and productions, their music has been embraced around the world by the leading new crop of label such as Viva ldt ,the massively influential Get Physical (and its sister sub-label Kindisch), Supernature, Sven Vaths cocoon anual compilation, Connaisseur and Mexico’s have all featured Kabuto & Koji remixes and original productions.
His solo career now has now taken off and will be releasing on labels such as Karton, Moscow,Genial, Red Panda, Tzinah, Infuse and Half Baked.
Be sure to look out for future solo productions and along side some really amazing collaborations.
TZINAH RECORDS INTERVIEW
Tzinah Records: So how did all begin for you? Tell us a little about how did you start Djing/producing?
Patrice Meiner: I started maybe around 18 years old ,1st time I went to a sort of rave kind of thing while I was living in costa rica, dance music was not really known there, but our crew of friends started doing the 1st parties in costa rica and one of my close mates Leo Falfan was one of the 1st guys to start djing and collecting records there. About 2 years later Leo started teaching me mixing and kind of saw my deeper level of wanting to understand dance music instead of just dancing to it. I started collecting records and djing by myself and really owed a lot to him for showing me the ropes. Then we started getting into production together and we formed a group called Kabuto and Koji. And we went separate ways in 2010 and I moved to Berlin.
Tzinah Records: What role does the artist have in society in your opinion? Why do you do what you do?
Patrice Meiner: Hmm ….I wouldn’t know our role to society as artists. I think your role should be honesty! don’t play shit just to play it…play music that represents you…and do it for the love of it, don’t do it for success or fame or anything else for that matter, just do it cause your madly drawn to music! everything else is just waiting! ….of course we all want recognition but this shouldn’t be what fuels us. I think Freddy Mercury said it best “ Im just a musical prostitute” .
Tzinah Records: Describe a real-life situation that inspired you.
Patrice Meiner: Moving to Berlin after living in Costa Rica for 20 plus years definitely inspired me…..seeing a new light to dance culture and club culture. Also all the great people I’ve met since I’ve
moved here they inspire me everyday. There are so many moments of inspiration in life. Oh and hearing Radiohead and Mr. Bungle live …..and my mother which is my main
inspiration and light in my life!
Tzinah Records: If you could pick one place you would like to play where
would it be and why?
Patrice Meiner: I think it would be Panorama, just cause I love that place and I see how much people enjoy themselves when playing there….the system and the crowd are pretty amazing . Or just
playing on a private get together with friends on a tropical beach.
Tzinah Records: If you had the opportunity to change something about the
music industry what would it be?
Patrice Meiner: People bitching and judging others to much. See too much of it now a days!
Tzinah Records: How do you see yourself changed over the years, both personal and music-wise and what did you learn?
Patrice Meiner: I see myself doing what I love to do with loved ones close by and maybe on a nice tropical beach. I also see my self making music better and better each year…..hope to get to a point
were I am satisfied with what I create but who knows if that will ever happen.
Tzinah Records: What computer/gear do you use?
Patrice Meiner: At the moment I use mostly machine and computer but wanting to switch back to logic and when i can I use friends hardware.
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?
Patrice Meiner: For me its not what you have its how you use it!
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 new-found fascination for darker music?
Patrice Meiner: I think this music goes through phases just like people and life does. People might chill out more and enjoy music that makes them think more instead of having a cheap thrill…For me its more about sounds that make you think and wonder as to the term “dark”…….theres a thin line where music can become cheesy dark as well (but thats my opinion) groove is a very important key ..I just like hearing mature, elegant music.
Tzinah Records: What are you working on at the moment? Any present and future projects that you want to share with us?
Patrice Meiner: At the moment just released the new Red Panda with my mate Rainer and finishing up some rmxs ,collabs and solo things, and trying to make the new label Sol Asylum grow together with Julie Margilhano and Miss Jools. These are my primary projects right now.