CLMT: Mutti

Back in 2020, when Cambrian Line was still active, we asked the reclusive, Munster-based space cadet Mutti to put together a mixtape for us, along with a short interview as part of our now-defunct CLMT mix series. Some of those mixes are still up on the old YouTube, if you fancy a browse. Mutti delivered a gorgeous selection of electro and IDM, featuring tracks from Marco Lazovic, Ghostwerk, Shedbug, Vort, and others.

Electro hermit, Mutti

Interview

How are you doing and what are you doing right now?
I’m very well. I’m sitting by the little lake in my town, in the sunshine, drinking a beer.

Where are you from, and how has that inspired your music?
I’m from a small town in Niedersachsen called Munster. It’s a quiet place with a river running through it. I guess I’ve always liked very futuristic-sounding music, which is funny because my town isn’t modern at all.

In the ’90s, there were a lot of British soldiers in Munster, and around Niedersachsen in general, and I grew up listening to BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service). It was very cool — my friends and I would drink beers, smoke, and listen to The Steve Mason Experience.

It sounded like the music of space, and I wanted to go to space.

What was the first record you remember buying?
I think it was KLF’s 3AM Eternal. It was always on MTV, and I was in love with the bleeping noises in that track. I really wanted to ride in their car as well.

What setup did you use when recording the mix?
I’ll sound like a very boring old man, but I used two Technics 1210 turntables and a CDJ, mostly for samples, loops, and effects.

Did you have any concept for the mix?
The mix was recorded during lockdown in Germany. I felt pretty alone, with just my pet rabbits for company, and thought it might be cool to make a mix about a space mission going wrong — maybe using some old NASA documentary samples I had lying around.

I don’t know, I was watching too many sci-fi films at the time.