• Tweet

• Tweet

Calling all Soletron fanatics to the front page. I need every single Soletron fanatic to the front page. If you’re not here within the next 15 miliseconds I will be revoking your passports. Ok, now that all of the logistics are out of the way, we have a brand new Soletron Passport hot off the press for your reading pleasures. And if you’re just as eager as we are here at Soletron (which I know you are) to learn about premium international artists you will listen up closely. Just recently, we got the opportunity to sit down with AJ Kriss of Hamburg, Germany just to find out the guy is basically a legendary genius.

Pull up your chairs to see what he said after the jump.

Stats

Artist name: A.J.Kriss

Real name: A.J. Christensen

Hometown: Hamburg Germany

D.O.B.: 7.4.1967

Genre: Blues House

Label affiliation: Kontor Records Germany

Signature work/known for: ATC,Right said Fred,Coldplay,Alex C,Jasper Forks

Influences: 70′s Disco, 60′s Blues music,Swing,Frank Sinatra

Soletron Passport Interview

Tell us how you got your start.
I started to write music in the late 80ties,my first song “ritmo de la noche was a euro hit in 1989, and 23 years later this song was nicked by Coldplay “Every Tear Drop is A Waterfall” and I became a co writer credit on their song. I started DJing internationally with my first alter ego U96, and in 1991 I had a huge Hits called “Das Boot” which became no 1 in 17 Countries,and stayed 13 weeks on no 1 in Germany.
U96 was very successful thru the 90ties,and I also wrote and produced Hits for Marky “mark” Wahlberg,Sarah Brigthman, and many others.

How would you describe your style?
I love all kinds of dance music, especially Euro Dance,House and techno music.
So the music I played at my dj gigs,are always in a wide range.

What is your biggest inspiration?
A good bassline and a good beat.

If you could meet any artist in history, who would it be?
I think John Lennon,but Im not sure if this would be a good experience, I don’t want to get disappointed.

Where do you see the future of the music industry going?
I don’t see a future for big record companies, I think little record companies. With guerrilla marketing will be the next thing.

Any beats you working on now?
Yepp, I working on a new AJ.Kriss beat. It will be a vintage House Song..

For production, what program do you use? (Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton, Fruity Loops, etc)
I love ableton

Who is your dream collaboration with?
Too much to list,but Will I Am is my favorite producer.

When you have been on tour, what do you think has been your wildest show/tour experience?
I was so drunk that I couldn’t start the turntables,and after 5 minutes of silence..I felt asleep.

Any crazy groupies along the way? Let’s hear it.
Yes in the early 90′s a mother offered me a threesome with her 19 year old daughter,but cleverly I denied it!

Where have you always wanted to perform?
I think Goa in India is still a dream.

What do you think is the toughest thing about touring/performing that the public might not know about?
The morning hangover is very tough,and to get in time to the airport..

Ok, let’s flip it around. What’s about the best thing about touring?
It’s a little bit like holidays with a guide,you always meet new people and you can see the world without paying the hotel and airline bills.

Since you are on the up and up, what’s your goal/plan for this year? What about career goals?
I don’t make any goal decisions,when I did this, Iwas always disappointed, I just enjoy what I accomplished,even when its just a little goal.

If you weren’t an artist what would you be doing?
I’m sure I would be a in a madhouse.

When do you think you will retire from the game?
My plan is to die in the studio.

Final advice for new artists?
You have to meet the right people,and you have to be unique!

Soletron Passport – AJ Kriss