Introducing: Burnski (airlondon) + His fabric Promo Mix

The past few years have well and truly put Berlin- based, Burnski on the map. With the enduring heat of his summer burner 'Malibu' on Hot Creations and last years 'Autumn Days' on airlondon – we’re mercifically waiting for to see what house tricks Burnski has up his sleeve for 2012. With hints of a new focus on vocal heavy house, collaborations with NYC’s Manik and a return to our Farringdon disco all in the pipeline, we wasted no time in catching up with Burnski before he joins us on January 14th for the airlondon Room Three takeover alongside Anthea & Alex Cellar. What’s more Burnski’s has slipped in a promo mix and in it lies an inner sanctum of groove, set for a before or after hours party. DOWNLOAD: Burnski fabric Promo Mix Good to meet you Burnski. Can you describe your past year for those who haven’t been able to keep up with it all? The past year was a good one and I loved it. I played out a lot and got to see some nice places and meet some good people. The highlights where playing in Japan for the first time, touring Australia and South America again and of course the fabric gig in May. What have been some of the biggest highs and lows? The highs of the last year would be seeing so many mates do so well. There are a lot of my friends that are really breaking through - people I have known for years that have worked really hard and it’s great to see them all doing well in being creative and loving it. It probably is my main source of inspiration to see everyone doing so well and really loving what they do. There were no real lows I can think of but I found myself in a pretty draining situation lately. Me and my mate Subb-an had a gig together and we were both one the same flight. He had Speedy Boarding and I didn't, so we decided to draw ‘SB’ on my ticket so it looked like I did too, so we could skip the huge queue. We skipped to the front and he got past, but they noticed we had forged mine. There was a drama after that. They didn't let me on the flight in the end and I had to pay a huge amount for a new flight. I also had to wait hours for the next one and I only just made the gig. It was pretty grim. We heard you re-located to Berlin, how’s life treating you there and the new studio? It’s really good. I moved here in July after living in London only a few months. Due to some circumstances me and my mate had to move out of the flat I was in (the landlord's son was moving into our flat pretty much with hardly any notice). I was planning on getting a place somewhere in London again. It sounds a bit cheesy saying this, but it was after going to the DC10 opening I felt so inspired that when I came back to London I was just like “Fuck this, I can do anything”, haha. I wanted to get right out my comfort zone after that and push myself in a lot of ways, so I was just like “Right, I am going to do it”. I was on a mission after coming back from Ibiza. I had always wanted to move to Berlin for a bit, and it was the perfect time. I love coming back here after the weekend too - it totally feels like home. You’ve released EPs on labels, 2020 Vision to Hot Creations and Dessous earlier this year. What were some of greatest lessons you learnt working for these different imprints? I think the Hot Creations thing was a good lesson working with another producer. The main track ended up appealing to a wider audience than my previous work I think and was a big track that got a lot of attention. It made me realise its good to take risks sometimes and try new things. You layed down heavy-duty remixes for Kris Wadsworth on One Records and Robert Owens, on Back to Basics this year. How did these come about and what do you enjoy most about getting to remix tracks such as theirs? The One Records remixes I really enjoyed doing. The label is run by mates so I wanted to make something I was really feeling. I made two remixes in the end. The guys also do party's called Below, which is held in the courtyard of the rainbow pub in Birmingham. I made one remix with that venue in mind and one more for the after party, which always follows it. I also loved doing the remix for The Blessed feat. Robert Owens too. It’s coming on Back to Basics which is my residency in Leeds. It’s quite a after party kind of track. There’s a queue of people wanting to know some of your remix tips? With a remix I always just pick the sounds out the original I know will work, and what I want to include. I play around with them and then work in my sounds on top, with new beats and a bassline. The tip I would give is, try a few versions, as I never end up using the first idea I get down. I usually change basslines a few times in the track, and am always looking at improving it as I work. How would you describe your musical style and in what areas would you like it to develop over the future. Are there still sounds your still yet to explore? I would say my sound usually falls into everything between disco, house and techno. I’d like to use all my influences over the years in my work. There are loads yet I want to do as a musician. I really enjoy working with vocals so I am going to do that more this year. It’s just much more fun to keep pushing yourself rather than repeating what you've done over and over again. How are you looking forward to playing air london’s Room Three takeover next month with Anthea & Alex Celler? What’s going to make this night special for house music lovers? I think what will make it special is a good variation of music between us, and getting a good vibe going in the room. I think we all got some good records in our collection and I’m really looking forward to be back playing fabric. Can you tell us about the mix you’ve done for us? How was it made and what are some of your favorite tracks on it? I recorded the mix here in Berlin, and it includes both old and new music. I tend to play a lot of old records in my sets, and have included a few of my favourites here also. There are a few of my own edits of old tracks, and also some new music from me. I wanted to keep the mix accessible at an after party, or something you would listen to before you go out. One of my favourite records is probably the Dan Ghenacia remix of ‘Wasting My Time’ on Real Tone. That was a real standout track of last year for me. If you could look into a crystal ball for 2012 what major developments do you see for the burgeoning house scene and what artists have you got your eye on? I really like this guy from Paris called Djebali. He has a label called Djebali Records and he is making some great stuff and is a really nice guy, too. I think he will have a very good year. He isn't totally routed to one style, which I like, and it’s always good to hear his new stuff as it could be a slow house track, or peak time. To be honest I think it’s going to be a really good year for all of the Paris guys, there are so many great DJ and producers there at the moment. I think Subb-an is going to do really well too. Also, I think the Bristol scene is rocking at the moment, doing some really good stuff with some new producers, so I think a few more will pop out from there. I think Just Jack in Bristol should be proud to as they have really pushed house since a good 5/6 years and I really think it’s contributing to this. What’s in the pipeline for 2012? Early next year I have music coming on Real Tone, Culprit, One Records and Back to Basics. There’s a new collaboration with my good mate M A N I K from NYC also. Finally, do you have any NY resolutions? My new Year resolution is to push myself more musically and try new things. I had a funny year with changing flat like 3 times and was without a studio for a good 3/4 months and after a really busy summer, I just feel like I have got it all back setup in Berlin now so really looking forward to working hard in next few months in the studio and enjoying it.