Played Out: The Logic Of Fort Romeau’s DJ Set Build-Ups
played-out-fort-romeau
July 06, 2017
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# Played Out: The Logic Of Fort Romeau’s DJ Set Build-Ups
**TIME**: Any time
**PLACE**: Any club
There are as many approaches to playing a set as there are DJs, and it
can be a difficult tightrope to walk. I've never been a fan of the
totally self-indulgent approach of just playing anything at anytime,
regardless of the context. To me that misses the principal function of
the DJ. At the same time, no one wants to feel like they're robotically
smashing out hit after hit for two hours. I think theres a balance, a
push and pull that the best DJs are able to find that keeps the energy
up but also clearly expresses their own point of view. The main
consideration for me when I'm DJing is to create a cohesive narrative to
a set, so I'll often anchor a sequence of four or five tracks around one
key song, which is in this case "Mutter" by [Konstantin Sibold][1]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}. The track has a big trance
influence and is quite a statement, so I use the songs before it as an
introduction to create the right context. I included this sequence in my
Groove podcast, but I was playing with it at gigs before I recorded the
mix. If I was DJing, it would probably come no earlier than halfway
through my set, as I always like to warm myself up a bit and create a
framework before really getting into it.
[SoundCloud Track (275239815)][2]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
1. **Chymera, "Episode" (Cocoon 2016)**
[YouTube Video (2BSGrySPf2c)][3]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
This is a great track from Chymera that develops and builds energy
really nicely over its long duration. It's also a nice balance between a
modern, reduced techno sound and a more melodic, sequence-driven
kraut/trance vibe, so it hints at where we're headed.
*I generally prefer smooth long blends when mixing---especially when
it's this trippy longform track. So for this one I'm just slowly
re-balancing the tracks and swapping out the basses.*
**2. Plastikman, "Purrkusiv" (Plus 8 2015)**
[Plastikman - Purrkusiv (From My Mind To Yours) \[Official Audio\]][4]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
After the long, sustained arpeggios of the Chymera track, I want to give
some contrast with something totally rhythmic. This is a newer [Richie
Hawtin][5]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} production with
a classic Plastikman vibe and a deceptively simple and skillful use of
drum machines that builds into a real workout.
*I let this roll on for a few minutes before fading up the next track.
It's totally percussive so it's essentially atonal, and the riff from
the Benjamin Milz track afterwards blends seamlessly into the rhythm.
It's just a case of carefully swapping out the frequencies to make the
transition completely smooth.*
**3. Benjamin Milz, "DC2" (Live At Robert Johnson 2016)**
[Benjamin Milz - Dc2][6]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
This is another new track that has a really cool and slightly '90s acid
techno vibe to it that pairs really well with the track it's building
into. It also introduces a little melody back into the mix from the
previous track, but it's still quite a rhythmic workout.
*"Mutter" is all low end in the beginning, so I fade up the track with
the bass fully in and pull out the bass from "DC2" at the same time.
Then, as the tracks aren't in complimentary keys, I need to be sure that
I've pulled out almost all the melody line from "DC2" before the main
sequence of "Mutter" comes in, otherwise it will sound jarring.*
**4. Konstantin Sibold, "Mutter" (Running Back 2016)**
[YouTube Video (\_7p3iHcrl7w)][7]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
By now the stage is set for the main track and the peak of this trippy
acid/techno/trance segment. It's the kind of track that, if used at the
right time and in the right context, can create a real moment. The last
15 minutes of the mix have been programmed to create the correct
atmosphere and context for this track.
*As that section of the mix peaks, I like to switch gears a few times in
a set to keep it dynamic, so the next blend is a little quicker but
still hopefully quite seamless and fluid.*
**5. Benedikt Frey, "Out Of Here (Roman Flügel's Cosmic Disco Drama
Rework)" (Hivern Discs 2016)**
[Benedikt Frey - Out Of Here (Roman Flügel\'s Cosmic Disco Drama
Rework)][8]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
This track has a slightly different energy but still feels related to
where we have been, which allows me to pivot in a different direction
and maybe go on to something more Italo/electro/EBM- or acid-based.
[FORT ROMEAU (EB.TV Feature)][9]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
Fort Romeau recently
released a new EP, [Reasons][10]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}*, and he will play at the [Telekom Electronic Beats
Clubnight ][11]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}at [Institut
für Zukunft][12]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} in Leipzig
on July 6, 2017. Find more information and buy tickets [here][13]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}. Read previous Played Out
columns [here][14]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}.*
[1]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/tv/konstantin-sibold-2017/
[2]: https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/275239815
[3]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BSGrySPf2c
[4]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-O7pVPSAgM
[5]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/tv/richie-hawtin-gives-ebtv-an-exclusive-listen-to-new-release/
[6]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3S1BW9lO_Y
[7]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7p3iHcrl7w
[8]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD1R6fdtTYg
[9]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6t1Oen5LK0
[10]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yd6NVkLgRM
[11]: http://clubnight.electronicbeats.net/
[12]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/future-sound-of-leipzig-building-germanys-best-new-diy-club/
[13]: http://clubnight.electronicbeats.net/location/institut-fur-zukunft/#fort-romeau
[14]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/tag/played-out/
---
id: 7a4f67a1-cff2-46ce-829b-6784d5242d37
blueprint: article
title: 'Played Out: The Logic Of Fort Romeau’s DJ Set Build-Ups'
date: 2017-07-06T11:28:40+02:00
wp_id: '135807'
slug: played-out-fort-romeau
teaser_image: legacy/played-out-fort-romeau/Fort-Romeau.jpg
contents:
-
type: text
text: |-
<p><strong>TIME</strong>: Any time<br>
<strong>PLACE</strong>: Any club</p><p>There are as many approaches to playing a set as there are DJs, and it can be a difficult tightrope to walk. I’ve never been a fan of the totally self-indulgent approach of just playing anything at anytime, regardless of the context. To me that misses the principal function of the DJ. At the same time, no one wants to feel like they’re robotically smashing out hit after hit for two hours. I think theres a balance, a push and pull that the best DJs are able to find that keeps the energy up but also clearly expresses their own point of view. The main consideration for me when I’m DJing is to create a cohesive narrative to a set, so I’ll often anchor a sequence of four or five tracks around one key song, which is in this case “Mutter” by <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/tv/konstantin-sibold-2017/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Konstantin Sibold</a>. The track has a big trance influence and is quite a statement, so I use the songs before it as an introduction to create the right context. I included this sequence in my Groove podcast, but I was playing with it at gigs before I recorded the mix. If I was DJing, it would probably come no earlier than halfway through my set, as I always like to warm myself up a bit and create a framework before really getting into it.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/275239815" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track (275239815)</a></p><ol>
<li><strong>Chymera, “Episode” (Cocoon 2016)</strong></li>
</ol><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BSGrySPf2c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube Video (2BSGrySPf2c)</a></p><p>This is a great track from Chymera that develops and builds energy really nicely over its long duration. It’s also a nice balance between a modern, reduced techno sound and a more melodic, sequence-driven kraut/trance vibe, so it hints at where we’re headed.</p><p><em>I generally prefer smooth long blends when mixing—especially when it’s this trippy longform track. So for this one I’m just slowly re-balancing the tracks and swapping out the basses.</em></p><p><strong>2. Plastikman, “Purrkusiv” (Plus 8 2015)</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-O7pVPSAgM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Plastikman - Purrkusiv (From My Mind To Yours) [Official Audio]</a></p><p>After the long, sustained arpeggios of the Chymera track, I want to give some contrast with something totally rhythmic. This is a newer <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/tv/richie-hawtin-gives-ebtv-an-exclusive-listen-to-new-release/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Richie Hawtin</a> production with a classic Plastikman vibe and a deceptively simple and skillful use of drum machines that builds into a real workout.</p><p><em>I let this roll on for a few minutes before fading up the next track. It’s totally percussive so it’s essentially atonal, and the riff from the Benjamin Milz track afterwards blends seamlessly into the rhythm. It’s just a case of carefully swapping out the frequencies to make the transition completely smooth.</em></p><p><strong>3. Benjamin Milz, “DC2” (Live At Robert Johnson 2016)</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3S1BW9lO_Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Benjamin Milz - Dc2</a></p><p>This is another new track that has a really cool and slightly ’90s acid techno vibe to it that pairs really well with the track it’s building into. It also introduces a little melody back into the mix from the previous track, but it’s still quite a rhythmic workout.</p><p><em>“Mutter” is all low end in the beginning, so I fade up the track with the bass fully in and pull out the bass from “DC2” at the same time. Then, as the tracks aren’t in complimentary keys, I need to be sure that I’ve pulled out almost all the melody line from “DC2” before the main sequence of “Mutter” comes in, otherwise it will sound jarring.</em></p><p><strong>4. Konstantin Sibold, “Mutter” (Running Back 2016)</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7p3iHcrl7w" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YouTube Video (_7p3iHcrl7w)</a></p><p>By now the stage is set for the main track and the peak of this trippy acid/techno/trance segment. It’s the kind of track that, if used at the right time and in the right context, can create a real moment. The last 15 minutes of the mix have been programmed to create the correct atmosphere and context for this track.</p><p><em>As that section of the mix peaks, I like to switch gears a few times in a set to keep it dynamic, so the next blend is a little quicker but still hopefully quite seamless and fluid.</em></p><p><strong>5. Benedikt Frey, “Out Of Here (Roman Flügel’s Cosmic Disco Drama Rework)” (Hivern Discs 2016)</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD1R6fdtTYg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Benedikt Frey - Out Of Here (Roman Flügel's Cosmic Disco Drama Rework)</a></p><p>This track has a slightly different energy but still feels related to where we have been, which allows me to pivot in a different direction and maybe go on to something more Italo/electro/EBM- or acid-based.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6t1Oen5LK0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FORT ROMEAU (EB.TV Feature)</a></p><p><em><a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/tv/slices-meets-fort-romeau-at-phonica/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fort Romeau</a> recently released a new EP, </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yd6NVkLgRM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reasons</a><em>, and he will play at the <a href="http://clubnight.electronicbeats.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Telekom Electronic Beats Clubnight </a>at <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/future-sound-of-leipzig-building-germanys-best-new-diy-club/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Institut für Zukunft</a> in Leipzig on July 6, 2017. Find more information and buy tickets <a href="http://clubnight.electronicbeats.net/location/institut-fur-zukunft/#fort-romeau" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. Read previous Played Out columns <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/tag/played-out/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</em></p>
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# Played Out: The Logic Of Fort Romeau’s DJ Set Build-Ups **TIME**: Any time **PLACE**: Any club There are as many approaches to playing a set as there are DJs, and it can be a difficult tightrope to walk. I've never been a fan of the totally self-indulgent approach of just playing anyt...
Chunk #2 (Position: 1)
[SoundCloud Track (275239815)][2]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} 1. **Chymera, "Episode" (Cocoon 2016)** . [YouTube Video (2BSGrySPf2c)][3]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} This is a great track from Chymera that develops and builds energy really nicely over its long ...
Chunk #3 (Position: 2)
It's totally percussive so it's essentially atonal, and the riff from the Benjamin Milz track afterwards blends seamlessly into the rhythm. It's just a case of carefully swapping out the frequencies to make the transition completely smooth.* . **3. Benjamin Milz, "DC2" (Live At Robert Johnson 20...
Chunk #4 (Position: 3)
It's the kind of track that, if used at the right time and in the right context, can create a real moment. The last 15 minutes of the mix have been programmed to create the correct atmosphere and context for this track. *As that section of the mix peaks, I like to switch gears a few times in a se...
Chunk #5 (Position: 4)
Find more information and buy tickets [here][13]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}. Read previous Played Out columns [here][14]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}.* . [1]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/tv/konstantin-sibold-2017/ [2]: https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/275239...