5 questions for... James Blonde

James Blonde has been dabbling in music all his life. He grew up in Tel Aviv and played in new wave bands in the 80's, before moving to L.A. to indulge in grunge music. Now a berliner, he manages the Sweat Lodge booking agency (representing artists such as Error Error, Guy J and Remute), and recently launched an internet radio station broadcasting electronic music 24/7, Sweat Lodge Radio. He has recorded two EPs with Chaim for My Best Friend and also just released a new EP with Sebastian Roya, Slamboya, on Konsequenz.



You recently launched Sweat Lodge Radio, a 24 hours running station based in Berlin. Tell us a bit about it.
Sweat Lodge Radio was launched in January as a test site for an electronic house oriented internet radio, and in the short time we are on is evolving to one of the nicest projects I am involved in. The concept: live broadcasts from Berlin, from our studio and clubs, from many great DJs and producers we are in touch with, and every day new ones we get to know and support. At the moment we are running tracks and sets 24 hours a day, and by the offical launch we will be broadcasting a full program from our studio. We will also unveil some great tools and features soon which, besides the music, separates us from the rest.

Do you think there’s a market for electronic music on FM radio ?
My ambition is to take Sweat Lodge Radio into the FM universe one day. So I believe electronic music can find its market there. Since this market is very small (although we all make a big fuss about it because of our passion of it), I think that with hard work, ingenuity, and staying updated with the real vibes in the clubs at the moment, it is possible.

Analogue or digital, and why ?
Of course I would like to say analog, but I also recognize the change in the world that makes us have to adapt, and accept the digital world and try to take the pluses in it. I think a good balance of both on a label maintains tradition and sound with the future.



Name a label you think will push music forward in 2009.
I can't say a certain name, but I think the labels that will maintain a good digital/analog balance, as above, labels that will attract people beyond the music with conceptual ideas, and most of all labels that will release real music as opposed to real blips, should stay in the game.

Your top 5 tracks of the moment ?
1. For Those About to Dub - Oliver Deutschmann (Werner Neidermier Remix)
2. House to Go - Koljah (Daniel Stefanik Remix)
3. Slamboya - James Blonde & Sebastian Roya (Varoslav Remix)
4. Mojoe & Marlow - Look Over Feel
5. Fake Life - Lonya (Dan Drastic Remix)