Interview with FreedomB: “Traveling educates you and that is priceless today, given the way the world is”

Despite the times we live in, all of us who are clubbers and electronic music lovers continue to continually seek to satisfy that inner call that screams out to us to go out and party and socialize. From the team at Basspirit Magazine We have to admit that we love going from club to club looking for the best sound accompanied by good music. But not just any sound, quality or atmosphere is good enough for us.

A couple of weeks ago we went on a trip, for the second time, to the city of Techno to let ourselves be captivated by the atmosphere and the scene of this wonderful city. On one of those nights, we dropped by KitKat Club where we had the opportunity to dance to the rhythm of FreedomB's mixes. We have to say, without a doubt, that in addition to putting musicon, his technique is impeccable.

Alberto or FreedomB He is a DJ from Madrid based in BerlinFor those of you who don't know him, Alberto began his career in the world of electronic music in 2007, where he started working for booking agencies, media outlets and multiple events. On January 10, 2012, he decided to move to Berlin to begin a new stage. Well, we envy you.

Why did you decide to move to Berlin? What were your motivations?

I loved the introduction. Thank you. The truth is that it was an incredible night, especially the part where we started talking in English without knowing that the other was Spanish. A classic of my Berlin nights accompanied by Spaniards who think I'm German.

The truth is that I went to Berlin by my own decision. I have always said that I consider myself privileged since I moved in 2012, the year in which the blessed economic crisis broke out, by my own decision, I did not leave or had any problem in Madrid. Something I thank my parents for, as they have always provided me with a lot of stability so that I can work hard at what I love. They are the best!!!

At first I was hesitating between London or Berlin, at that time I had many Spanish friends in London, but from what they told me about their day-to-day life, it wasn't what I was looking for and without thinking twice I decided on Germany. It was my first time, I had never visited the city and I arrived on January 10, 2012, a little scared, but eager to learn and grow as a person. The balance to date is very, very positive.

We have been able to taste the magic that Berlin's clubs give off for ourselves, How would you define the Berlin scene? What clear differences do you see compared to the scene in Spain?

It is well known by everyone the musical quality that the German scene and more specifically Berlin has always had. It is something that impacted me greatly when I arrived in 2012, although I have to say that things have changed a lot since then. It was something that was coming due to the capitalist movement that has slowly taken control of the whole world and the German capital was not going to be any different. I always tell my German friends that they should be proud and happy of what they have achieved during these last decades and all the wealth they have brought to the industry. Now is the time to approach a new era with positivity and adapt to the new situation.

I have always liked the freedom of schedules and creativity that the city has had since I first set foot there. It is a scene that has things to improve, perhaps my ten years in the city have given me that critical point of view but at the same time it has made me remain neutral both for the good and the bad.

The big difference that has the Berlin scene or German with respect to the homeland is the total and absolute respect that is had both for the figure of the DJ and for the concept of what it really means: ELECTRONIC MUSICThey consider it a national heritage site and they take care of it as such. In fact, there is currently a campaign in Berlin by certain artists who propose that both the clubbing scene and certain clubs be protected and recognized by UNESCO.

You can still breathe in the atmosphere that rebellion and constant struggle to protect the scene and those who work in it. It's admirable. I promise you.

In which clubs in Berlin have you had the opportunity to delight the public?

The truth is that except in Berghain / Panorama Bar and a couple more of purely cut TechnoI have had the privilege of being able to act in almost all of them. It makes me very happy to remember all these moments and the achievements made. Now from a distance and with a few more years under my belt, I realize how difficult it has been but how rewarding and the good taste in my mouth I have had since then.

If I had to give you my starting five it would be: Sisyphos, Katerblau, Golden Gate, Watergate & TreasureI might even include Kitkat, as you know, the atmosphere is indescribable. It's something I recommend everyone to experience and enjoy in their own way.

The music style you produce and mix is mainly House. Berlin is undoubtedly the city of Techno, but you still went to live there. Was and is your musical style well received in the city? Did you encounter any obstacles when you arrived there? How did you start out, how does a Spanish DJ start to have a presence in the Berlin scene?

It is important to know that it is not your culture and without losing your essence as a person and professional, adapt and understand the circumstances of everything that surrounds you and everyone around you.

I realized that Berlin and the national scene are very self-protecting. Labels, clubs and artists support the national product from start to finish, perhaps sometimes too much, not showing the quality of other artists with a foreign passport. I am in favor of betting on and supporting your own, but I think that we should never forget those artists who are not German and who contribute and work just as well or better than many national artists.

Maybe that's why after arriving and starting to produce music I saw how important it was to release music on a local label with a name in order to have greater visibility. Heinz Music, Katerblau's label, was my first stop and since then I noticed that I started to perform a lot more in Berlin and the rest of Germany. Learning the language was also a turning point in terms of being able to communicate with everyone, especially outside of Berlin. Being able to write to clubs and promoters in German was a very positive thing for my career.

As for my style, I have always been very sure of it. I think that techno and its derivatives dominate the national scene right now, I would dare say that it also dominates the world scene, but I have always believed that variety is the key. Let's say that there are 7 artists in a certain Berlin club, most of whom are going to play techno, well, the possibility of bringing my "groove" and being the distinctive note of the orchestra is something that has worked very well for me.

I have always said that what people want is to dance, enjoy themselves and above all to disconnect from reality for a couple of hours. I consider myself a tool for this and if at the end of my DJ set they have managed to understand what I wanted to convey and they go home with a smile from ear to ear, I am more than satisfied.

There is a track of yours that we love: “Wish I?”. We often ask ourselves, what factors do you take into account when it comes to creating a good track? Of all your works, which one would you highlight the most and why?

Thank you very much for the compliment. The truth is that it is a track that unfortunately could not be released by any record label. I contacted Universal because of the acapella, to see the possibility, as well as other labels, but at that time they said that the economic investment to pay for its use, that of the vocal, was very high and that I as an artist was not one. There was no profitability anywhere and it was not possible.

I always knew that the song was good and that somehow I would make it work and that it would reach as many people as possible. I spoke to the people at “Data Transmission” and we released it as a “Free Download” and the truth is that the response has been incredible since then. A lot of people keep writing to me to tell me how much they like it.

I also did a promo campaign to reach media, DJs & producers and as I mentioned before, the reach was great. Perhaps one of the nicest memories was when my friend Juanito sent me a video of Marco Carola closing the party with “Wish I?” at Destino Pacha.

That song, along with “Nane” & “Strong Enough” are my favorite songs, perhaps because when I “slow-cooked” them I was living an important moment in my life. I let myself be guided by life, by my feelings, by the music I hear in clubs, by recommendations from friends… What influences me when it comes to producing is very varied. I feel very lucky to have all kinds of channels to reach that creative point. Sometimes it is better, sometimes it is worse, but it is always there, whether it is to produce music or to live life in a more intense and real way.

How do you think Berlin and its culture have influenced you as a person and in your projects?

Berlin has been and will always be a turning point in my life. It will always mean the beginning of a new life, of a new me, both personally and professionally.

I recently thought that Berlin was the test that life put in my path to realize that I am stronger than I thought, that you should always try, that you should not be afraid and that, if you are, it's okay, it's part of the journey. Maybe I have become a little more independent and decisive, or so my mother says, but nothing to worry about.

As for my sound, I'm happy that I didn't sell out to the current trend, I've always been faithful to house music and its aspects. It's what makes me happy and I'll never change it for anything. In the end, as the classic says:Not everyone understands HOUSE MUSIC. It's a spiritual thing. A body thing. “A soul thing”

I recommend to everyone who wants to and has the opportunity to leave their comfort zone for a while. It will change your life. I have no doubt about it. It opens your mind completely, it makes you get to know other cultures and therefore understand that there are millions of realities and ways of understanding, comprehending and living the same situation. Traveling educates you and that today, given the way the world is, is priceless.

How would you define your style as a producer?

The truth is that as I have said, my love for House music has no limits and although I am better known as an artist tech-house, since my productions are more tech, as you could hear in my set in KitKat, as a DJ, I have many brushstrokes house & funky.

You can hear the kind of bassline I like both in my productions and when playing. It has to be very groovy. For me it is the main element both in the studio and in the booth. A few months ago I decided to stop my tech sound, which I am very grateful for as it has positioned me in the market, but in the end you have to do what makes you happy and house music is my passion.

Now that I have quite a few releases already lined up for next year, I'm going to start taking time to dive back into new work methodologies and focus on what makes me happy since I started in this electronic music world. HOUSE MUSIC ALL LIFE LONG!!

On which labels have you had the opportunity to release your projects? Do you have your own label?

Pufff, the truth is that I haven't stopped releasing music in the last few years, but if I had to highlight the ones that have made me the most excited they would be: Hottrax (Jamie Jones' label. It came out a couple of months ago), Knee Deep In Sound (Hot Since 82's label), now in January a track is coming out both digitally and on vinyl for Get Physical, of course Toolroom for its history in the scene and logically the remix I released on Ultra Music since MK has left a big mark on my way of understanding American house music. Not so much the current MK, but the MK of the 90's.

A question we often ask the artists we interview is whether they know how to play and/or appreciate a particular instrument, since an artist who knows how to appreciate an instrument undoubtedly has more sensitive and sensitive skills with respect to sounds and melodies. What do you think about this last statement?

No, I don't have the artistic ability to play any instrument. It's something that is in my personal debt drawer and that I will do at some point. Taking piano lessons, since it is one of the instruments that, when it comes to producing electronic music, is practical not only for composing but also for understanding many processes.

Of course, having the knowledge helps you to better understand music, melodies and different sounds. I believe that sensitivity depends on the person. I am a sensitive person, which allows me, in my humble opinion, to feel and enjoy music in a way that others perhaps cannot. Or at least, not to the same degree that I achieve.

I am going through a very emotional stage in my life and now more than ever music is helping me channel all kinds of feelings that are currently running through my body and mind. I respect the rest of the artistic disciplines a lot, but I firmly believe that music transmits and makes you feel like no other. It is the most powerful artistic expression.

To conclude, we would like you to tell us what your next plans are for 2022, both for new releases and your next dates as a DJ.

Well, due to the current situation in Europe and especially in Berlin, dancing is prohibited until further notice (ridiculous), taking advantage of the fact that I had a tour planned in South America at the end of the year and looking to recharge my batteries after such a bad year and a half, I'm going to be there until May with what will be, to date, the longest tour I'm going to have, covering almost the entire continent. I'm very excited about everything that's coming up.

I want to thank the entire Shortcut Bookings team for the work they are doing, Till, who is the one who manages all my management, my parents and myself. I think it is important to congratulate yourself if you do a good job. And believe me, I am fighting hard to achieve all my goals. Some of them work out, others don't, as expected, but I am very satisfied on a personal level with the effort made.

As for releases, I have confirmed: Get Physical, Muna (Mathias Kaden's label), a remix for Origins RCRDS (Josh Butler's label) and a couple of interesting things that I can't announce at the moment. It's true that with the situation in Europe again due to the damn pandemic and all the clubs closing or cancelling events again, it's better to slow down the releases and wait for the situation to clear up, since I don't want the music to only be heard through Spotify, I want it to be listened to and, above all, danced to on the dance floor. That's my goal and I think that of any producer.

It was a pleasure to interview you and have had the opportunity to meet you in person. We hope to be able to go see you, dance and enjoy the rhythm of your mixes many more times in the wonderful city of Berlin.

The pleasure has been mine. Thank you very much for your time, attention, dedication and of course to all the readers for taking the time to know a little more about me. See you soon. In the meantime, KEEP GROOVING!!!