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7 11 Issue 68 / 2014 HOUSE / ELECTRIC guestlist.net When I first spoke to Santé, it was a few hours before his Avotre boat party on the 24th September, which he co- headlined with close friend, compatriot and label-mate Sidney Charles. The event - the Lost in Ibiza Sunset Boat Party - represents the point Santé has come to in his career. "This is not boat party weather," he threatens on the phone, observing the ominous clouds looming over San Antonio. However, the closing party special was a packed-out success, boasting a catamaran ride into the sunset with dancers and massage angels, soundtracked by the Avotre duo. One who has earned the right to experiment with his sound, Santé is edging closer to a position of lasting influence, which the release of Current is sure to confirm. Originally from Ulm, a small city near Stuttgart, Maier moved to Berlin about ten years ago and began working in a studio - the first big step towards Current. Maier explains how he bided his time releasing the LP, creating it across the world: "I wanted to comprehensively show where I was coming from, why I love house and electronic stuff like this. That's why I took so much time before I ever thought of releasing an album, I never wanted to before. I didn't feel it was the right time for me. An album is like an unborn baby. It's not enough to produce something which is a partial accomplishment of your goals, it has to be complete". Current is hugely different from previous Santé productions, embracing melodic deep house much closer to Maya Jane Coles than the work of his Berlin techno contemporaries. It steps to the left, away from the warehouse rave and into home- listening territory, without losing the persistent beat which makes Santé unquestionably listenable and danceable. As an artist riding the wave of the deep house boom of the last five years or so and clearly profiting from the success of the genre, I wonder how Santé views it and believes he fits into it. After all, with any swing in a certain musical direction comes the risk of oversaturation, as vision becomes fad. Current seems purposeful, not at all like deep house for deep house's sake. How does he navigate the sometimes murky waters of the scene? I want to hear from a man at the centre of deep house which artists and releases are here to stay, rather than become a footnote in dance music history. "When genres implode like that they become a threat to the artists, they restrict them and hold them in…I think it's a real problem that businesses and promoters encourage rubbish music because it sells and as a result, originality ends up getting stamped out. Deep house sounded very different when I first started making music, when maybe DJs like Jamie [Jones] were pushing it forward. However, I don't think it's of a higher quality than what's coming out now. There's a fair amount of deep house in pop these days, but that's different to it becoming commercial, and I think it's a positive development. Artists like Route 94 are making great music."'Momentary' is an album highlight, easily sporting the strongest groove of the album's rough hour of running time, its heavy bass the starring role until a breakdown of cosmic New- Agey synths, which exit before they break the LP's spell of subtle tension. 'Interlude' is perhaps the most surprising moment on the album, a minute of piano-led trapstep, tied to the rest of the LP only by its warm reverb and soft-edged percussion. It sounds relevant though, inviting a tense lull before the rhythm proceeds and the intensity of lead single 'Awake' kicks in. A plaintive, h igh-energy anthem with a surging chorus which goes 'I've been awake for too long', it's like a more radio-friendly version of Faithless' 'Insomnia'. "'Awake' is my favourite track from the album" says Santé. Lyrically and musically, the track is reflective, pensive and dark, along with the rest of the LP. I ask Santé if it represents his own recent experiences, if it's a personal one. "It's not about insomnia explicitly…I think everyone can relate to that feeling, of having been awake for too long. Like when you leave a club and it's daylight and the glamour of the night fades." Maier spending a cold December in London whilst writing the LP undoubtedly influenced the more melancholic of the tracks, which are indeed suited to soothing afterhours comedowns. Did he write the lyrics? "No, I left that to native speakers…I don't think that I could ever write English lyrics to my satisfaction." It's a sentiment which captures the perfectionist approach he took to the LP. One can hope for more of the same from Ulm's biggest producer. Although, if Current proves anything, it's that anything could come next. makes Santé unquestionably listenable and danceable. As an artist riding the wave of the deep house boom of the last five years or so and clearly profiting from the success of the genre, I wonder how Santé views it and believes he fits into it. After all, with any swing in a certain musical direction comes the risk of oversaturation, as vision becomes fad. Current seems purposeful, not at all like deep house for deep house's sake. How does he navigate the sometimes murky waters of the scene? I want to hear from a man at the centre of deep house which artists and releases are here to stay, rather than become a footnote in dance music history. "When genres implode like that they become a threat to the artists, they restrict them and hold them in…I think it's a real problem that businesses and promoters encourage rubbish music because it sells and as a result, originality ends up getting stamped out. Deep house sounded very different when I first started making music, when maybe DJs like Jamie [Jones] were pushing it forward. However, I don't think it's of a higher quality than what's coming out now. There's a fair amount of deep house in pop these days, but that's different to it becoming commercial, and I think it's a positive development. Artists like Route 94 are making great music."'Momentary' is an album highlight, easily sporting the strongest groove of the album's rough hour of running time, its heavy bass the starring role until a breakdown of cosmic New- Agey synths, which exit before they break the LP's spell of subtle tension. 'Interlude' is perhaps the most surprising moment on the album, a minute of piano-led trapstep, tied to the rest of the LP only by its warm reverb and soft-edged percussion. It sounds relevant though, inviting a tense lull before the rhythm proceeds and the intensity of lead single 'Awake' kicks in. A plaintive, high-energy anthem with a surging chorus which goes 'I've been awake for too long', it's like a more radio- friendly version of Faithless' 'Insomnia'. "'Awake' is my favourite track from the album" says Santé. Lyrically and musically, the track is reflective, pensive and dark, along with the rest of the LP. I ask Santé if it represents his own recent experiences, if it's a personal one. "It's not about insomnia explicitly…I think everyone can relate to that feeling, of having been awake for too long. Like when you leave a club and it's daylight and the glamour of the night fades." Maier spending a cold December in London whilst writing the LP undoubtedly influenced the more melancholic of the tracks, which are indeed suited to soothing afterhours comedowns. Did he write the lyrics? "No, I left that to native speakers…I don't think that I could ever write English lyrics to my satisfaction." It's a sentiment which captures the perfectionist approach he took to the LP. One can hope for more of the same from Ulm's biggest producer. Although, if Current proves anything, it's that anything could come next. Cristina | guestlist.net "An album is like an unborn baby. It's not enough to produce something which is a partial accomplishment of your goals, it has to be complete" Santé, AKA Germany's Philipp Maier, is a prominent member of the international house and techno scene, with a manic global touring schedule which just this year, has included London's XOYO, Sankeys Manchester, Amsterdam Dance Event and Ibiza opening and closing events.One who has earned the right to experiment with his sound, Santé is edging closer to a position of lasting influence, which the release of Current is sure to confirm. follow @santemusic