Patrice Meiner: Globetrotter

It is often said that you can unearth someone’s personality from the music they make, and in Patrice Meiner’s case, it’s perhaps no coincidence that he was born in Italy and lived in Africa and South America for some time before returning to his mother’s home, Germany, a few years back. If that sounds like a diverse mix on paper, then wait until you check out Meiner’s music. As likely to be stripped back and dark as it is colourful and joyful, it’s very much the sound of a producer at ease in his eclectic skin. His latest release crops up on Sol Asylum, a new Berlin-based label that’s been turning heads of late thanks to a similarly vehement regard for the underground. And with earlier releases on the likes of Supernature, Cocoon and Connaisseur, we might be listening out for Mr.Meiner for some time yet. We nabbed him recently for a quick chat, as he talked us through Berlin, childhood and how he’s grown up recently…

So how was the summer? Many highlights?

Summer was great! I got to do my first proper American tour, That was the highlight for me. I visited many great places and met many wonderful people.

You’re from Germany, right? Was it a good place to experience electronic music as a teenager? What were your first experiences of it all?

I am German from my mother’s side, but I never lived in Germany until 4 years ago. I was born in Rome, then moved to Africa for 5 years, then Venezuela for 5 years and lastly Costa Rica for 20 something years. I experienced my first electronic parties in Costa Rica where my group of friends basically started doing the first parties there, so it there where it all started for me.

What’s it like in Costa Rica?

It was great! I love Costa Rica! It’s a magical place with beautiful people and the nature there is amazing. I consider it my home away from home. I try and go back every year to visit my mother as she still lives there and of course, my dear friends. Costa Rica is known for its beautiful beaches, which I miss very much. I wish we had more of those in Berlin!

So are you qualified to talk about the changing face of the Berlin scene?

Well I never lived in Berlin or Germany until 4 years ago. So I can’t really be a judge of how much things have changed but I can tell you that it has taught me a lot and that I have found lots of inspiration here. The music scene here is very special indeed. I have met many people I would have never dreamed of meeting and become friends with here so it’s all still very exciting and new! And I must say, the music I’ve heard in Berlin has been the best music I’ve heard anywhere else.

Did you move there purely for musical reasons?

Actually, I wanted to move to Barcelona initially but my agency and manager at the time advised I move to Berlin. I did come here for music reasons and I had a German passport so it made sense.

How important do you think living in Berlin is to a DJ’s career these days? Could you easily live somewhere else? Would you want to?

I think it’s important to live it, but I don’t necessarily thinks it’s important to live here. There are many places in the world a DJ or a producer can succeed. Honestly I could live somewhere else but not in my plans just yet.

So do you still spend Sundays in Panorama Bar or are you usually playing yourself on the weekend?

Well I mean I used to go frequently, but I’ve kind of grown out of going out every single weekend … I have to pick my battles nowadays. Plus, I need to get things done. Gig-wise, I’m honestly not the busiest DJ in the world, so no! If I’m not out I’m enjoying home with the Mrs. or attempting to make music.

How did you end up getting your tracks signed to the likes of Cocoon and Supernature? Did it take a while before someone picked up on your sound?

Well that was with my old duo Kabuto and Koji. We became really good friends with the Audiofly boys and they were kind of our mentors for some time. And with Cocoon well that was all my manager’s doing… Tania Cappelluti from Playkula. She had good connections with the guys at Cocoon and Sven chose one of our tracks for his annual compilation. It was a very exiting time for us. I think that’s when I took the decision to come to Europe.

So what do you consider your first ‘big break’? Or are you sill waiting for it in a sense?

Well Cocoon was a big break for myself and Leo at the time, but I’m working on solo stuff now. I’m not really waiting for a big break, I’m just doing it day by day cause I love it… I have no expectations.

So is music a full-time thing for you? What are your other hobbies?

I do wish in a sense that it was, but I can’t rely on money from gigs. So I have to have a job in between. Besides, it keeps me sane and occupied. I like walks in the park, candle lit dinners, knitting and crochet and square dancing too!

Can you tell me a bit about the EP on Sol Asylum? How did it come about? Have you know the guys there for some time? Are you a big fan of Dana and Jools’ work also?

Julie asked us to make a track so I did. And yes, I have known them for quite some time now and yes I like the work of Jools and Dana very much. Apart from being great people they are very established girls in the music scene and I admire them a lot!

Are you very picky about where your music gets signed to? Is it important that the label has a similar ethos to yourself?

You do have to be picky these days. There are so many people starting labels so I do it for friends or people I like. Music has to be good, of course, but I mostly look for a connection personally as friends. Those are my main key points!

What was the last record you bought? Do you still go record shopping or have you coverted to digital at this rate?

The last record I bought was Kenneth Graham and Ghal Sasson – ‘Children of the Light’ on Nexus. I am hooked on buying records but I still get great music digitally … best of both worlds.

What’s next for you that you’re particularly excited about?

Well at the moment just trying to make music. I’m excited to have winter around the corner to lock myself indoors and make as much music as I can until next summer arrives and going to the Americas again in December…

Sol Asylum Volume 03 featuring Patrice Meiner, Dana Ruh and Miss Jools is out now on Sol Asylum