Published: October 6th, 2009
Being a key member of the worshipped Minus family, Magda is used to being propelled into the fast moving, cutting whirr of the hype machine, but she doesn’t really pay it any mind. “I’m not really into this hype thing; I think it’s kind of silly. What really matters is to develop your own ideas and not make any compromises against yourself. Even if there’s big hype - or if it isn’t cool anymore - as long as I’m happy and stay interested and things inspire me, then it doesn't matter.” All overblown hype and needless gender stereotyping aside, she remains one of the most respected artists around the electronic spectrum, and she shrugs it all off with unpretentious charm.
Fleeing from the communist rule of Poland and relocating to Texas at the age of 9, her family ended up making a move right into the heart of Detroit. Her accidental entry into Detroit’s rave and underground party scene as a teenager (coincidentally being handed a flyer for a party “around the corner from my house”) was the kick-start she needed for a lifelong love affair. Soon all became a blur of cities (hopping the coast to New York), record stores, “small loft parties and gay house nights”; her life revolved entirely around the records on her cherished turntables. Around 1998 she moved back to the Motor City and, through mutual friends, scored a seat in the Minus label office, closely befriending boss Richie Hawtin and moving in with a then-on-the-rise Marc Houle (hence their collaborative Run Stop Restore work with Troy Pierce that came later). A move back to NYC in the early ‘00’s birthed her Gel & Weave night, embracing artists as far and wide as Daniel Bell, Theo Parrish, Zip, Jeff Samuel, and John Tejada.
“I did a small night called "Gel and Weave" and booked artists who inspired me like Zip, Dan Bell, and Theo Parrish among others. In return Zip invited me to Berlin to play for a Perlon/Playhouse party, which for me was a huge honour. My first show in Germany was at the old Panoramabar and it blew me away. The whole attitude towards electronic music was different. There were no rules it seemed. Just lots of time and people going crazy until all hours. The atmosphere of the city in general was very relaxed and a nice contrast to the hectic New York lifestyle. I knew I had to go there, so 6 months later I moved." – Magda
These days, though living in Berlin, Magda isn’t home very often. Her tour schedule is incessantly full, with dancefloors around the world being treated to her unique sound: “I’ve always played a mixture of different things. From Detroit techno to Chicago house/jack to German minimal. As long as something is interesting and has a groove I like, then I try to include it in my sets. I have a soft spot for obscure electro/disco as well and I do tons of edits.” Stylistically, Magda grooves through opposition – creating sets that are emotion-led yet clinical (having profound expertise with digital technology: Final Scratch, FX’s, samplers, and so forth); trippy and disorientating, yet lucid and coherent; pairing up sparing beats with bass-swathed extremes. Beyond DJing, producing, and a myriad of releases – including her cult-worshipped mixed CDs ‘Fact And Friction’ and the impeccably jam-packed (with over 70 tracks mixed in) masterpiece ‘She’s A Dancing Machine’ – she also heads up the fascinating label Items & Things with her good friends Troy Pierce and Marc Houle. The label’s focus is always pinpointed on the off-kilter and the uncommon, sometimes even the borderline strange.
And that same ethos is audible in her latest tour de force, fabric 49, a thumping trip into the otherworldly that breeds a rare feel of mystique and discovery, without ever compromising the groove. Crafted with meticulous detail and loving precision, it carries the weight of any Magda DJ set: intricate 4/4 licks that are bass-laden to devastating effect. Dramatic sounds and eccentric basslines carry the fast-moving, multilayered mix through the rising swells of Circlesquare, the haunting vocals of Luciano, the chilling chords and offbeat pop elements of her kindred spirits at Minus (Gaiser, Marc Houle and Heartthrob), and the funk-filled soundscapes of Magda’s own productions. A watertight compilation that brims with lively character, and skitters with Magda’s personal touches and effects, fabric 49 is a reminder of how rarely DJs truly break the mould. A mix CD with as much artistry, perfection and vision as an original album.
"The mix is inspired by Italian horror film soundtracks from the 70's. I included the band Goblin, who made some very interesting dark disco, with trippy and drawn out psychedelic elements. I wanted to create something dark and groovy with a soundtrack feel to it, where sounds emerge and disappear, creating a spooky atmosphere. I chose tracks which were somewhat experimental along with dance tracks I like. I was very happy to be able to use "Heavy Whispers" by Yello because they are one of the most interesting bands for me. They had the ability to combine very different sounds and make some of my favorite new wave/electro/disco tracks ever. I also used a lot of unreleased tracks from producers whom I’ve met online and received demos from. It’s nice to be able to support younger artists and their sound when I can." - Magda
Words: Fabric
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