Underground house and techno legend Lars Sandberg (aka Funk D’Void) talks to us about his latest venture in the world of streaming, guiding the next generation of producers and the art of DJing.
With a discography spanning over twenty years, appearing on a diverse range of highly regarded labels from Cocoon to Bedrock and remixes for everyone from New Order to Laurent Garnier, revered producer Lars Sandberg has stamped his mark on the electronic music scene.
His selection skills have earned him a reputation as a true DJs DJ, so we were delighted to get him on board for an exclusive mix here on Trip Radio. We caught up with the Barcelona-based producer to speak about his transition into streaming, his work mentoring emerging artists and the art of putting together a seamless mix.
Your DJ mixes are some of our favourites here at Trip Radio. How do go about putting one together and what is the secret behind a great mix?
Basically, I test out the flow of tracks I like by measuring their combination of BPMs, key and melodic content. Mixed In Key software has been a lifesaver for years but now all major DJ software programs include this tool for you so there’s no real excuse for making a bad mix.
It was a bit more tricky when I used only vinyl as I had to start the mix recording all over again if I made a boo-boo. The Cocoon DJ mix I did was a good example – a lot of stops and starts!
You started your mentoring scheme Fixed by Funk a little while ago. Can you explain what made you decide to do this and how have you found the process of helping new producers?
It’s very rewarding – I get the same buzz from getting good feedback from clients who found my services valuable as I did finishing a track or remix. I always remember that one friend who told me truthfully about what he thought my production needed back when I was starting out. Honest friends are really important for your growth.
With Fixed by Funk it’s like having that friendly second pair of ears that can guide you In the right direction. I see this as another string to my bow and a natural next step in my journey of sharing music. I now offer 1:1 mentoring video sessions for more focus on the individual’s needs and questions about sustaining a career in the music business.
You were an early adopter of Twitch as a platform for your live mixes, studio feeds and feedback services. What appealed to you about Twitch as a platform and how do you see this developing in the future?
I’m a very private person so to have a camera on me and talk into it was a huge hurdle for me (it still is). I had seen Twitch years ago but really took to it when the pandemic started, watching streamers like Scottish comedian Limmy every day and watching the connection with the viewers.
I stepped out of my comfort zone and just went for it. I’m a tiny streamer but I missed that connection with people I had with my gigs and I get a similar satisfied buzz after I complete each of my streams – so it fills that void (ahem).
If I can make a living from it then that would be great but there’s still a lot of work to be done to achieve that. You gotta grind! I love all of the setting-up aspects of streaming, it’s good fun. Everyone should give streaming a go to see if it’s for you.
Have you got any advice for emerging producers and DJs trying to break through in the highly competitive industry today?
- Make music for yourself and your own enjoyment.
- Try not to copy – aim for making a more unique stamp on productions or sets.
- Don’t be afraid of failing or being “good enough”.
- Keep your ego in check with a sprinkling of self-doubt.
- Be humble. Surround yourself with supportive friends and communities.
- If you show good character in your performance and music then you will be remembered.
- If you pay for likes and follows then you will burn in Hell! I could go on…
We have enjoyed your Detroit classics Twitch mixes. Can you tell us a bit about your association with and passion for Detroit techno?
Where do you think the electronic music scene is right now? Does the scene seem to be in a state of flux post-Covid?
There are pockets of good stuff out there musically, and it’s always worth the hunt. As far as the club scene goes, I’m not sure if we will ever fully recover from the “Event” of the last two years.
I’m focusing on finding inspirational sounds now, trying to keep my spirits up after having the wind knocked out of me. I don’t pay attention to scenes really, nowadays I just search for things that make me happy.
We’re still in the embryonic stages of how modern culture has changed the artistic musical landscape.
We’re connected more remotely now, and producing music is an extremely insular experience. But I think a lot of us have been producing that way for a long time for me anyway! Big shout out to the introverts.