After first learning that Iron Curtis was behind Achterbahn D’Amour, a new production and DJ duo delivering raw acid house and techno, we knew it was going to be the start of something exciting. Achterbahn D’Amour presents a nod to the wonders of the 303 and it’s early roots, thanks to two friends whose love for finding acid house jams has spawned into a fully fledged alliance already with three fantastic releases under their belts.
Edit Piafra, who makes up the other member of the acidic duo, is very well known for his eclectic DJ sets in his and Iron Curtis’ hometown of Nürnberg, as well as being a talented maker of edits, hence the name. He and Iron Curtis now reside in Berlin and play regularly together under the new banner, churning out a mixture of classic and recent chicago house, deep techno and of course acid!
Word has it the Achterbahn D’Amour boys will be playing their debut gig at Panorama Bar on the 29th of June, so for all of you acid loving Aussies escaping our winter in Berlin mid year (as we will be), be sure not to miss them!
We caught up with the boys for a Q & A to see how this roller coaster began..
Firstly for those that don’t know, who are the two people behind Achterbahn D’Amour (German for Roller Coaster of Love) and how did the project first come together, was there a long history there between you guys both hailing from Nürnberg?
IC: Actually we’ve known each other for quite some time now. We were both djing in Nürnberg back in the days (I guess it was around 2004), had mutual friends and went out to the same venues and parties. Jool (Edit Piafra) was famous for his diverse and eclectic DJ-sets….
EP: I also heard just the best about your skills bro… I always wanted to DJ at the famous ‘Lead With The Bass’ party, but then you were faster and got the job. In the end we met at one of my parties…
IC: … fell in love…
EP: And the rest is history!
Acid Test 05: Trance Me Up (I Wanna Go Higher)… by Achterbahn D´Amour
There’s a strong presence of acid house and techno in your releases so far. How did that originate and who are some artists that initially spawned your love affair with acid?
EP: I first came in touch with electronic music in the early 90s and was a big fan of German Acid-Techno-Duo Hardfloor and stuff like Robotman. Besides that, an old friend of mine owned a 303 during that time, so I was able to twist the knobs a bit already back then. We also listened to lots of Hithouse…
IC: I guess my love for Acid House jump started with two Mix-Compilations I bought when I was 14. One was a Bonzai-Records compilation (featuring Acid Junkies, Djax Up artists etc.) and the other one a DJ-Mix of Strictly Rhythm tracks from that time. Both featured Josh Wink’s “Higher State of Conciousness” – and from that point I was infected by that 303 sound. It was (and still is) a constant research & digging for classic Chicago- and Acid-House tracks for the both of us.
EP: And of course there are plenty of interesting contemporary producers around worth checking when it comes to raw and jacking house music. They also have great influence on our work.
IC: i.e. Jamal Moss, James T. Cotton, Traxx or Steven Tang.
Absurdcast #10: Iron Curtis by Achterbahn D´Amour
Tell us about your live set up in the studio, what gear do you guys use and what is the collaborative process used to create those live acid jams?
IC: It´s a mixture of hard- and software: Ableton Live, Propellerhead software, a Jomox drum machine, some analogue synths, Tascam tape recorders, tambourine, coffee & cigarettes…
EP: We both come up with ideas (mostly loops and raw sketches) and then decide to work on them – or not. Some of the tracks were actually done in ‘live jams’ and some are proper team-work-arrangements.
Absurdcast #09: Edit Piafra by Achterbahn D´Amour
Will we be seeing the live set being performed in the clubs anytime soon?
EP: Maybe – but not that soon…
IC: Well, I guess I have to force you a little bit. No, but honestly: I guess there will be a time when we’ll be brave enough to play out a liveset.
EP: I´m frightened!
IC: Jool! Stop that!
EP: I´m sorry.
Edit Piafra has been an alias used mainly for edits, have you always been making original music as well, or is this somewhat of a new thing?
EP: That´s right, more of a new thing which just grew with doing edits and learning more about production.
Tell us about your connection with Acid Test, a sublabel of Absurd Recordings out of Los Angeles which you released two 12″s on last year. How did that come to life?
IC: Oliver from Absurd contacted me and asked me if I had a track for a compilation he was planning at that time. He mentioned that artists like Tin Man and Donato Dozzy will contribute tracks as well. That made me curious rightaway as I’m a huge Tin Man fan. I remembered that one jam I did together with Jool a couple of weeks before and sent it over to Oliver. He seemed to like it and asked for more…
EP: But there wasn’t more…
Acid Test 02: Your Love (In A Live Jam)… by Achterbahn D´Amour
IC: Jool!
EP: Ok ok, I had some beats and resonator chords I wanted to use for a Talking Heads edit. From that we built the second track. Then Oliver asked the Idjut Boys to do the remixing and the EP was complete. So that’s how the Achterbahn actually started running.
IC: We do feel really comfortable working with Oliver. He was always supporting and pushing us and we hope to keep on working with this dude!
EP: Word!
Your latest release, which is soon to drop on Johannes Albert’s Frank Music, will mark your third 12″ together. Can you tell us about that record?
IC: Johannes is a close friend of us and we share the same love for leftfield and weird house music. Jool and me contributed tracks to the first Frank release and we are glad that he asked us to do a full EP together.
EP: It´s really cool that Johannes keeps on going with his label work, as he started it all by himself in a true d.i.y. kind of way. “The Middle Of” was the first track we played to him.
IC: “JX2” the second…
EP: That´s why it´s not called JX3…
IC: Well, and maybe that’s why he graciously accepted “Into The Wilde” as well. I guess I speak for the both of us saying that it is our first proper pop-track…
EP: Hand played bass guitar, wishful vocals, and strings from heaven.
IC: Out in February.
Preview: ACHTERBAHN D`AMOUR – Frank Music 03 by Edit Piafra
What is next for Achterbahn D’Amour release wise and what are some of the parties you’re looking forward to playing next?
IC/EP: Lots of tracks and remixes in the making and a remix coming out soon on Roundabout Sounds. It´s going to be part of a double 12” tribute to Aaron Carl. Thanks to Joe Marougi for having us alongside himself, Baaz, Piranha Head and others. Partywise we are looking forward to the Frank Music night at About Blank here in Berlin. Next up will be an Achterbahn set at Tresor. In the beginning of March we´ll return to Nuremberg for our regular ‘Pumping Velvet’ party.
Finally, what are each of your top 3 records doing the rounds at the moment?
Iron Curtis:
Lady Blacktronika – Jesus Juice – Sound Black Recordings listen
Chicago Skyway – London Streets (Hakim Murphy Remix) – Uzuri listen
Stephen Brown – Keygroup – Subject Detroit listen
Edit Piafra:
Dee Dee Brave – Can´t Get Over It (Kaoz 6:23 Mix) – Champion listen
Helium Robots – Jarza (Theo Parrish Translation 2) – Running Back listen
Peaking Lights – 936 (Remixed) – 100% Silk listen
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Thanks for this introduction! Great interview as well