DJ AND PRODUCER CORD LABUHN

Posted on June 6, 2012 by MINGA BERLIN

Since 2006 Cord has been bringing open-minded electronic dance music to an international audience through numerous releases and countless performances as one half of the Berlin-based production and DJ duo ROBOSONIC. Right now their actual release „Worst Love“ (http://www.robosonic.cc/2012/05/03/worst-love-ep-off-recordings-31/) is a growing club hit for the sunny season – certified by high-profile DJs worldwide and international sales charts. Just a few weeks earlier ROBOSONIC publish the mixalbum SWEET AND NUTS.

Cord, tell us about the inspiration for this tape.

CORD: This mixalbum I made with my lovely companion Sacha is a collection of our own production work basically inspired by the dancefloors we are playing for. I would say Robosonic is known for the sweet in techno and the nuts of house music. The stuff we produced in the past wasn’t really made to be played in our performances. Maybe that changed when we realized that people attending our shows want to hear us playing our tunes.

When we’ve had a bunch of new tracks together and some EP releases lined up („The Sweetness“ on JACKMODE / „The Punchi EP“ on 0001), we decided to put it all together in a continuous DJ-mix and just share it with the people. This mixtape-concept is a little different from our complex debut album in 2007 („Sturm und Drang“). Now we step up our game and the anticipation of a second album!

You are about to publish a mix composition which doesn’t aim the dancefloor, alongside some very personal songs under your own name.

Tell us what will be different in the new production HEART SHIP HOME from other releases by your team Robosonic!

CORD: It’s some sort of balance I am seeking. My passion for hiphop music and the rather slow feel of beats and subtle songwriting have been neglected for a while. Touring and producing 4×4-club music on a professional level is quiet a rush and a dominant rhythm for your body clock. To stay open minded and laid-back I would listen to a lot of converse music.

When my Robosonic partner decided to pick up a solo carreer and raise a personal profile as a producer I seriously had to think alternative ways of channelling my creativity. Back then I had the dream of juggleing all my artistic ambitions in one insane band project, with not too much focus on the individuals behind it. After times of crisis I’m blessed that both – the team Robosonic and it’s single members – are still alive and even more productive and successful than ever.

I think the whole experience of living music as a profession made me reflect about my musical identity and passion. „Heart Ship Home“ luckily has no business model and is only driven by my urge to capture and store certain moods, memories, feelings. It’s about hardships, travel, love and my current home sweet home, Berlin Kreuzberg!

It’s is a little bit of a relief then to present and share the goods you found, so that my people can have their own trip with it.

On the press shot and in the info-artwork of this upcoming tape you’re styled with MINGA BERLIN socks in your own bed. How do the socks designs suit your music style?

CORD: Haha, it would just fit well. Music-wise maybe cosy and colourful. Otherwise funny, but serious. I don’t know too many people from Minga, but under my roof, up there on the 5th floor, live some beloved ones. I normally visit them in jogging suit, socks and slippers. Need to catch up for Berliner Weisswurst.