If Mo’ Horizons were to translate their music into painting, this is what they would do. Take as many different colours as they could find, add them all together whilst mixing consistently, and then paint the walls with something shiny and new that not many have ever seen before. Rolling styles such as soul, funk and latin grooves into one is a specialty of theirs, subsequently earning them fans from all over the globe. And luckily for us, the German duo consisting of Ralf Droesemeyer and Mark ‘Foh’ Wetzler will soon be brandishing their latinsouljazzfunkfeeling paintbrushes our way. But before doing so, Ralf took a little time to talk music and Mo’ bizniz with ITM.
Before both of you actually started working together, did you have any sort of initial idea of what kind of sound you would like to be creating?
No, there was no special idea. We knew each other for years from djing and we were just thinking about putting together this music inside of us to produce a couple of tracks with this latinsouljazzfunkfeeling.
From the title of some of your songs such as “Dance Naked Under Palmtrees”, it would be great to think that you draw a lot of inspiration from personal experiences. Is this true?
Sure, travelling so much all over the world, we are making great experiences, big fun and sure we have danced naked under palmtrees, but most of the lyrics are from the singers we are working with.
Are there any artists in particular that you would be keen to collaborate with in the future?
Yes, there are some. For example, we would love to do something with The Fort Knox Five from the States or with Skeewiff from England.
Of late there has been an increasing interest in so-called lounge music. In which direction do you think the dance scene will head next?
It will be like it has always been. For a while you have the feeling that all the music in the world has happened already, nothing really new could happen anymore. Labels and journalists, bands and DJs are talking about styles and trying to release, to create, to play something special, but somehow nothing’s really new… and then – boombang – somebody’s coming up with something great, something authentic, something just right at the right time and everybody will call it a new direction. The strange thing is, that it must not be something new. It’s enough that the mass of people just forgot about it for a while. Anyway, it’s fantastic, a wonderful circle! But sorry, I can’t tell you what will be the next.
If it weren’t for the love of the music, what would you be doing instead?
Before I was buying my first 45, I wanted to become a famous football player. Now I think, when I will have bought my last 45, I will do something to help people who need help to survive or to have a respectful life.
As artists that have played all over the globe, what are the differences in the vibes you get from an Australian crowd compared with our European counterparts?
Our experiences with the Australian crowds are really good. All over your continent we met these musically open minded people, moving and dancing a lot and welcoming what the DJs were playing. You can find this a lot in East Europe. We had great parties in Poland, Lithuania, Hungary and Russia.
And finally, can you explain how to do the boogaloo properly so it can be perfected in time for your visit to Australia!
Oops – I’ve never danced it. You can find the instructions in the back of some 60’s records, like from Pete Terrace. Would be fun to see the hole crowd moving like that, or better doing it together.
Don’t miss Mo’ Horizons as they spread their eclectic blend of beats around the country this summer on the following dates:
Sun Dec 26th - Breakfest, Perth (BUY TICKETS)
Fri Dec 31st – The Loft NYE, Sydney
Fri Dec 31st – Bungalow8 NYE, Sydney
Check local guides for further tour dates!
