Berlin’s Thomas Schumacher may finds his foundations in techno, but in 2009 he’s as eclectic as ever as both a DJ and producer, always a non-purist DJ and producer who’s swapping between house, techno, electro and more in his sets. He’s chosen not to represent any style in particular, opting instead to create his own unique style and for years now, he’s been freely crossing over left and right of centre. His diversity has become his much loved character and his trademark.

And he’ll be bringing this heritage with him when he reaches Australia for a club tour this weekend. Recently he’s been releasing music on the inimitable Get Physical Music, playing parties around the world alongside his labelmates DJ T, M.A.N.D.Y. and Booka Shade, with his sound recently veering in the direction of funk/disco, and this month he’ll be headlining Sneakerpeeps in Melbourne and Lost Baggage in Sydney. ITM talks to techno’s man of diversity.

There are so many influences… To name a few: love, life, the music of others, travelling, partying, socialising.

Who do you look up to as a producer? Are there any up and coming DJ/producers that have caught your eye?

There is this 23 year old ‘kid’ from Stuttgart in Germany, his real name is Danilo, and his main project is called Detroit City Music Ensemble (DCME). You can find his music on Beatport, check out his tracks like Raw Cuts 3 and 4. He is probably one of the biggest talents around right now. Was I as good at the age of 23? No fucking way!

What is the best crowd that you have played to before?

One of the best crowds ever was the one on a Berlin River Cruise Boat that I played on earlier this year. The party was organised by the same people that run the famous Wilde Renate Club in Berlin and the crowd was handpicked (250 people were only allowed on the boat). We cruised and partied for 8 hours, from noon until the sun set and it was magic all the way. Woohoo!

I have noticed that your most recent stuff has gone a bit more funk like, is there a particular reason for this?

Excuse me, but I like to think my music has always been funky… Haha. What you have probably noticed is my focus on tech house and deep house music in the last few years. You know, apart from my love for techno I have always been into all sorts of house music, but for most of my career I was mainly seen as a ‘techno’ DJ. Even though I have always played lots of house tracks in my sets. The fact is, my focus has shifted, I feel like I have explored techno enough and I am very excited about what I am doing right now. You will see/hear!

I know that back in the 90s techno from Detroit, Belgium and Germany, and the soulful US House were the sounds that you related to most, what sounds are you relating to most presently?

Anything that sounds sexy, housy, fresh, with great samples, lot’s of fresh ideas, bold basslines and insane sounds! Or as my fellow DJ and friend DJ T likes to say: no nonsense dance music. There you go….

I was reading an old article on you the other day; you mentioned that Ritchie Hawtin blew you away in 2003, what is your feeling on his music now?

I don’t think me and Ritchie are riding the same wave anymore.

I am really looking forward to your gig here in Melbourne on the 7th August; the punters here are keen to know if you will be playing some of your old school tunes?

Haha, the classic question. But what do you consider an old school tune? You know I have been releasing records for 16 years now – that is quite a long time I would say. The good thing about such a long recording career is that I almost always find the one or other tune from the past that fits into my current set. Will I play When I Rock? I don’t think so!

Are there any places in particular that you are going to visit whilst in Melbourne?

As you might now, I have strong ties to Oz and especially to some people in Melbourne. From my first DJ tour on it has always been and remains my favourite city in Australia. So first of I want to see my friends, hang out, have drinks, maybe a little BBQ, some music…You catch my drift? Hehe. Also, I can’t wait to have proper dim sums because you just can’t get them here in Germany.

Thomas Schumacher tour dates:

Fri 7th Aug – Sneakerpeeps @ Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
Sat 8th Aug – Family, Brisbane
Sat 15th Aug – Lost Baggage, Sydney