Photos by Constantin Falk
Apparat is the alter ego of German musician Sascha Ring. Having garnered considerable acclaim for a decade of solo work, not to mention his collaborations with Modeselektor (as Moderat) and Ellen Allien (on 2006’s classic Orchestra of Bubbles), Apparat has now signed to Mute Records and is preparing to release a new album, The Devil’s Walk, on September 27.
“I guess some people have a talent for being happy but for me it’s something I need to learn.”
The first record I bought was…
Probably some New Kids On The Block record when I was 12. But the first real record I bought was an R&S In Order To Dance compilation. It’s still amazing music. Timeless. Point Blank’s ‘Mengs Theme’ was my favourite. I still play it from time to time.
The last record I bought was…
A lot of dance music ’cause I had to play my only DJ gig this year. My favourite songs to play were two remixes by Martyn, really cool stuff. The gig was at Space in Ibiza. Pretty much the most extreme dance-world experience you can have. It was good fun but I can only do something like that once a year.
The worst gig I’ve ever played was…
Definitely in Italy. Some crap festival in Venice. The promoter gave a shit about our technical rider and the macho stage manager was constantly yelling at our (female) tour manager. Next time this happens, I won’t play. It’s not the audiences fault, they’ll think I’m a pussy or whatever. But if the production can’t supply what you need for a show the concert is gonna suck and I’m just not willing to try to make the best out of someone else’s fucked up situation again.
When I was a kid, what I most wanted to be was…
I really thought Don Johnson was the coolest guy in Miami Vice. I’m watching it again these days, it brings back some cool childhood memories.
If I wasn’t a musician, I’d probably be…
An animal documentary director. I love all kinds of animals. Very often more than humans.
My dream cinema is screening…
I haven’t been to the movies for a long time, basically just ’cause nobody goes with me, which is stupid because in the end you’re alone in there anyway. But i’d feel a bit too anti-social going there on my own, I think.
My best quality is…
I’m never satisfied with anything and it makes me work pretty hard.
My worst quality is…
I’m never satisfied with anything and it makes me pretty unhappy.
The last time I cried was…
Ccould have been at a Sigur Rós concert.
The most fun I ever had was…
Probably on a motorbike in the Golden Triangle. Or maybe just sitting in a very simple public bus in South America feeling absoluey free and completly separated from our perversely overcivilized world.
I get inordinately pissed off by…
Way too many things. It’s my highest priority mission to change this, you’re the one that suffers the most if you get mad all the time. It’s pointless.
The one thing I wish I had more time in life for is…
I have all the time in the world, that’s not my problem. I’d really like to be happier. I guess some people have a talent for this but for me it’s something I need to learn.
If I could work with any one person, living or dead, it would be…
No one exotic, I have an amazing team.
If I could’ve had a tempestuous romantic relationship with any one person, living or dead, it would be…
I’m staying away from tempestuous romantic relationships these days.
If I could live in another time or place, it would be…
Probably in the ’80s. It was the last century where popular music actually wasn’t all crap. Since then there’s basically only industry made studio puppets singing on the radio.
As told to Tony Whitman
