The last few years have been a heady ride for Timo Maas. In 2008, he emerged from a production hiatus with Subtellite on Sven Väth’s Cocoon Recordings, and it’s been full speed ahead since. Leaving the blockbuster remixes and pop star collaborations in the past, Maas has been revelling in his techno roots.

All which brings us to Balance 017, the man’s entry to the esteemed mix-CD series. On disc one, he lets things simmer gently, before disc two unleashes the stomping late-night gear. Both parts also feature a swag of tracks Maas made in his home studio in the German countryside, with the aid of friendly neighbour Santos. We spoke to the ever-chipper veteran ahead of his Australian club shows.

You must be leaving to come to Australia very soon.
I’m heading out in less than 24 hours, getting my arse onto a train and several flights; altogether a full day’s travel. I was very busy over summer, festivals, clubs and Ibiza. I played the DC10 closing last week and have just come back from Ukraine. Today is packing and preparation day, finding new tracks for my sets, and then I’m looking forward to coming into your spring.

Is the season in Ibiza always musically inspiring for you?
Ibiza is always the test area for new music. Perhaps not if you play at David Guetta’s night! At DC10 or other hip places, the guys play really fresh sounds. At least it’s interesting. Not always inspiring I have to say, but at least it’s interesting. Circo Loco went a little back to their roots, celebrating underground music and believing in the residents. It’s a cool team of DJs.

I imagine it’s always good to be able to come back to your home in the country-side.
Yeah, definitely. I’m just looking at the window now. It’s a little foggy but apart from that, you see fields and forests. I’m inspired by nature a lot as it just gives me the freedom to have the crazy ideas without any pressure. Santos my producer lives on the other side of the road from my farm. We have the studio in my barn which is great because no one disturbs you. People visit us, so we’re not completely lonely here.

Do you feel you are more productive in that setting than you’ve been before?
Probably yes, because I’m not tied to studio schedules any more. When I want to do something, the studio is right here in the morning, evening or late at night. There are negatives. I’d like to have an Italian espresso bar or a Thai delivery service, but in a village of 70 people, they wouldn’t be able to do business.

Do people in the village know you’re a dance music producer?
Totally. I’ve lived here eight years, and Santos for two. We’re completely accepted as part of the community. We’re not pimping around. Both of us have girlfriends and kids. For the kids, it’s great to grow up here in the country-side. For us, it’s a big inspiration here.

It’s been a long stretch between mix compilations for you. What was it about Balance that seemed like the right fit?
My last big mix-CD was in 2001 for Oakenfold’s Perfecto. In those nine years, I got offers, but everything was one CD, or they’d say, ‘We’ve got this great music on our label you should use’. When the Balance guys asked me, I was quite amazed. They said, ‘Timo, please be eclectic, be crazy, do your thing. Follow your trip’.

Together, the two discs make sense. It’s like the ideal club set – in the beginning chilly, trippy, melodic stuff into classic house then deeper tech-house, then the second CD is in-your-face. I like the trip. For me and my friends, I’ve been doing mixes and tapes for 20 years now. I’ll make a mix of ‘60s or ‘70s psychedelic rock; anything. I like to compile and create a certain atmosphere that pulls people out of daily stresses. I love it.

It’s the first disc that I keep going back to. Do you get a chance to play like that in a club often?
It really depends. In the summer, at an after-hours that goes into the afternoon, then yes. I really like quality music, regardless of style. I always drop some unusual stuff because I love it. In Australia, there are two afternoon gigs, so I’m not going to play hard techno. When the weather and vibe is nice, I’m prepared to go a little more trippy and eclectic.

Is it ever overwhelming searching out new music?
There is a lot of music, a lot of quantity. It’s harder to find the quality. It’s not easy to find the cool, trippy stuff. I just discovered a sequencer program on the iPad that you can produce with for $24.95. For more or less nothing, everyone now has access. But it’s still about experience and good ideas. It’s not always big production; it’s more about a distinctive sound. My track Kick 1 Kick 3 on the Balance mix is not very complex, but it’s effective.

Have you seen this renewed interest in the deeper, warm side of house in recent years?
Totally. In the last two years, what I call classic house has been big: classic programming, classic elements, filtered vocals. I have many great records from 20 years ago that have exactly the same vibe of many things I’m playing these days. Every trend – minimal, trance, whatever – always comes back to pure house and techno. That’s what is happening in the clubs. The base is house and techno, always.

Balance 017 is out now through Balance Music/EMI. Timo Maas tour dates:

Fri Oct 15 – Perth, Ambar
Sat Oct 16 – Sydney, Chinese Laundry Garden Party
Sat Oct 16 – Melbourne, Brown Alley
Sun Oct 17 – Brisbane, barsoma