Artist Feature: 'GOGO In The Fast Lane' - Sef Kombo Meets Ralf GUM

Germany's Ralf Benkert better know as Ralf Gum is one of the highest respected figures in the house music scene for the distinctive qualities in his exceptional productions and DJ-sets. He has been in the game for a long long time and released so many superb tracks under his own independant music label. He has exposed tracks such as 'Kissing Stranger' 'Above the Sky' Turn Me On' and just fresh off out the studio 'Hard Time For Lovers' with so many great releases and remixes he has done on other tracks. I knew I just had to chat to him!! He kindly took out time out of his hectic schedule to let us know what is going on with him...

Sef Kombo: Hey Ralf!! It’s actually an honour to speak with you!
Ralf GUM: Thanks Sef, not a problem to speak.. Always a pleasure

SK: How long have you actually been involved with Music?
RG: I am DJ-ing since 1991 and produce since 1993.

SK: What inspired you to make Soulful House? Being from such an electronica based country such as Germany, why didn't you follow suit?
RG: I think it just was in my genes. Already as a teenager I liked funk and soul, while others have been listening to radio or rock music. When I came in touch with soulful house, I knew that this genre allows me to combine everything I liked in other musical genres such as the fore mentioned or jazz, afro, cuban, etc. as well. Following suit and trends never was what I was interested in.

SK: Who were your inspirations within the House music game? And why?
RG: In the beginning it was mainly the New York scene with artists like Mood II Swing, or MAW. When I visited NY for the first time in 1990 the house bug just got me. I hadn’t attended parties like the one that were happening at that time in NY before and was fascinated by the positive energy.

SK: Your label is called GOGO Music, what is behind the name?
RG: The name has no deeper meaning. When I was searching for a label-name it was a coincidence that I saw this little funny car from the 70ies called 'Gogo Mobile' passing by. I thought GOGO Music sounds good and is memorable.

SK: Tell us about the latest single Hard Time For Lovers by Rocco & C. Robert Walker?
RG: Well what should I say. I love Rocco’s work since a long time and already had him on GOGO Music for a remix of my single with ‘Diamondancer – All This Love for You’. When he sent me the demo it was clear to me quite quickly, that I wanted to sign the song, as the vocal of Robert is great as well. The whole project fits perfect to what I want to release on the label to date. The remixers did a very good job as well and so I am satisfied with the release completely.


SK: So what's new for GOGO in the coming months? Are we to expect more of the same? And what vocalists are due to appear soon?
RG: There’s a lot in the pipeline and next up will be a track by South African vocalist Zano called “My Story”. An EP by Black Coffee will follow it and after that I will probably release my next single, which features Inaya Day on vocals.

SK: You've take a particular interest with South African artists, What is it about them and their music with interests you?
RG: There is currently coming a lot of great music from South Africa, as the scene there is alive. A lot of really good new talent emerges from there and if you take a look back on GOGO Music’s label history, I always tried to discover and present new talent and not only the already established big names.

SK: You was in South Africa over Christmas and New Year, how was that experience. How has the scene progressed over there since you was last there?
RG: The trip over Christmas was once again a great experience, but as I toured in SA only a few months before there hasn’t been a big change within the short time…

SK: How do you find the house scene today and the direction of the music?
RG: It is hard to answer this question in general, as it depends very much on the country and even within the countries it still can vary from region to region a lot. The music is currently very diverse with many trends in different directions and I appreciate that, as you don’t hear the same songs from every DJ.

SK: Can we expect any production collaborations in the near future?
RG: As I said there are a lot of things and productions in the pipeline, but I don’t want to let out all surprises already now ;-)

SK: Can you give us a quick gig guide as to where you are playing over the next 2 months?
RG:
Apr 01 2010 - GOGO Music meets Hausbrigade @ Creed - Karlsruhe (Germany)
Apr 03 2010 - COMMUNITY - Manchester (UK)
Apr 10 2010 - 360 - Dubai (UAE)
Apr 20 2010 - Disco - Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Apr 23 2010 - Atlantis - Basel (Switzerland)
Apr 24 2010 - Climax - Stuttgart (Germany)
May 02 2010 - Den & Centro - London (UK)
May 07 2010 - Southport Weekender - Southport (UK)

SK: Do you feel that ‘Kissing Strangers’ reaching number 1 on Traxsource 2008 has really propelled the label to a new level of quality house music?
RG: Actually I don't like the word "quality" in connection with music too much. There is good music and bad music and everybody has his own definition what is good or not. If we stick to the term "quality" nevertheless, I would say there have been "high quality" records on the label before as well, but of course the success of ‘Kissing Strangers’ helped to get even more publicity.

SK: It’s happened a fair few times for you now, but how does it actually feel when you do reach the top of the Traxsource charts?

RG: It is always a welcome confirmation for the work you do. Nevertheless I stay humble and feel happy about it every time again, as it would be the first time. It motivates me to continue to do what I do.

SK: Who is your favourite producer?
RG: It is always hard to reduce it to just one, but if I have to mention just one, I would say Phil Kullmann


SK: Who is your favourite vocalist?
RG: I don’t want to reduce it to just one here, as it depends what kind of vibe you expect from a vocalist for a certain track.

SK: What tracks have been on heavy rotation for you in the last 6 months?
RG:
Elements of Life feat Lisa Fischer & Cindy Mizelle – Into my life
Jerk House Connection feat. Akram - Each & Everyday (Rocco Deeper Mix)
N'dinga Gaba feat. Scotty P. - Queen
Reverend P feat. Jocelyn Mathieu - Those Days Are Gone (Animal House Club Mix)
Ralf GUM feat. Kafele – Complicated
Ralf GUM & Monique Bingham - Little W. 12th St.

SK: Tell us something we don’t know about Ralf GUM?
RG: I always said before that my left ear always itches, but to be honest the right one does as well.

SK: What is the best GoGo release!??
RG: Haha…all are good otherwise I would not have put them out.

SK: Haha!! I guess so, a big thanks for taking some time out to talk to me!
RG: Many thanks Sef!



LINKS

Listen & Buy The Latest Release Rocco & C. Robert Walker - “Hard Time For Lovers” Here

Check Out Ralf Gum's Website Here

Check out GOGO Music Here

Check out the GoGo Radioshow every Sunday 22:00-23:00 (GMT) on QH Radio