STREAMING AUDIO INTERVIEW

As ringleader of esteemed German imprint Poker Flat Recordings, Steve Bug knows how to lead by example. While his roots are in DJing, some of the Berlin resident’s finest exploits have been in the studio.

After releasing a retrospective compilation earlier this year, Bug has just unveiled new album Collaboratory. As the title makes clear, it’s the product of his recent hook-ups with the likes of Donnacha Costello, Cassy, Paris The Black Fu and antipodean export Simon Flowers. Late-night dancefloors will be well-served by the tracks on offer, but Bug has coaxed various moods out of his studio-mates. Collaboratory is evidence that, after 15-odd years, the producer is still on top of his game.

The next few months will see Bug clocking up the air-miles to celebrate both the album and Poker Flat’s 10th anniversary. He remains a true perfectionist as a DJ. Happily admitting that one skipping record can throw off his night, the man’s sets are a masterclass in restraint (a skill honed from many years as a resident DJ). Here he chats to ITM’s Jack Tregoning about the joys of teamwork.

Steve Bug’s Collaboratory is out now on Poker Flat through Stomp.