Ripperton: A Little Part of his Shade

There’s definitely a stronger songwriting element that’s been cultivated on the album, alongside the strong rhythmic elements you’re know for with your club work.
It came pretty naturally really. As artist you have to challenge yourself all the time. I never been the kind of guy to stay in the comfort zone and follow a formula. I hate this.I want to surprise myself with what I can do, and I want to surprise the listeners, to keep you interested in my work.
This weekend I was DJing in Berlin, and a guy showed me a paper saying, “We miss the good old Ripperton”. I didn’t know what to think of it. I don’t think I have to follow what people expect from me. I go on my own path.
Tracks like No More Airplanes and Minor Interlude shows you’re definitely very interested in working with downbeat sounds outside of the club. Do you get enough of a chance to work outside the structure of house and techno in your music?
I would love it if our scene was a bit more curious and versatile sometimes. I’d love to be asked to play an ambient set, or to perform live somewhere, to meet challenges. I’m really proud of those tracks, and I do a lot of these kind of songs, especially in the morning and they are staying on my computer.
It’s great because they’re not done for any one reason, I just express the moment that I feel with music without any other desires in the back of my head.
You’ve been vey prolific over the years in terms of EPs and singles, though you’ve been more considered when it comes to putting albums out. Is there any reason for this?
It’s part of the game, don’t you think? You’re touching way more people with a full album. The media coverage is bigger too. If you’re doing it with your heart, people will feel it. I feel more free doing album too.
There is no stress doing it, just you and your music. Releasing a single is really different. One month after and it’s over, but with an album you can work on the big picture.
Tell us a bit about how you came to collaborate with the artists on the album.
Hemlock Smith is a really amazing artist, I love his writing so much and the way he plays piano. He did all the lyrics and piano on the songs he appears. You should check his latest album Everything Has Changed. It’s really inspiring to play alongside an artist like him.
Van Hai is one of my oldest friends, we met in the 90s. He was already making music in punk bands, drawing graffiti and taking pictures. He’s a rebel sometimes like me, and he’s also one of the most talented writers I know.
Masaya is also one of my best friends, she’s an amazing DJ and I like the personal way that she sings. We’ve shared many unforgettable moments in music, and we’ve also travelled together to Chile where she comes from.
Germain Umdenstock is a close friend too, he’s such a brilliant guitarist, and every time we work together something special happens. We did A Little Part of Shade on the rooftop of the house while on holidays.
And finally, I met Andi Ernst AKA Randweg while doing a remix for Ellen Allien. He played all the clarinet on that record, and I was blown away by his sound and work, so we’ve collaborated on few things.