Interview by John Wisniewski for MK ULTRA Magazine photos by Cris Ruiz
HAUJOBB are about to drop their latest album “The Machine in the Ghost,” which marks the tenth studio album of their career. This Leipzig-based duo were once a trio from the West German city of Bielefeld, where it all began. Over the years, the band has truly evolved from their vast influence from the early Vancouver school of industrial and, in particular SKINNY PUPPY and FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, which led to their early full-length albums including “Homes & Gardens” (1993), “Freeze Frame Reality” (1995) and “Solutions for a Small Planet” (1996). Since that time, Haujobb has tested the limits of electronic music with excursions into both dance and experimental. All of which has brought the band to their “The Machine in the Ghost” album released by Metropolis Records and features a guest appearance by Emese Árvai-Illés of BLACK NAIL CABARET. We talked to Daniel Myer and Dejan Samardzic of HAUJOBB about the new album and more.
John Wisniewski: Daniel, was there anything different about your approach to recording the new album “The Machine in the Ghost”?
Daniel Myer: We actually started like any other album in the last 20 years. We each worked on our demos and send it around. But there was a concept, which gets to your next question, and Dejan can actually answer that better than me.
JW: Is there a concept or a lyrical story behind the new album?
Dejan Samardzic: There was this idea at the beginning of using self made samples,
like sampling everything around you and use it as an instrument. One of
the reasons for this was to make the music sound more organic.
JW: Do you have any specific keyboards or gear that you consistently use on studio recordings?
DM: For years I am using Studio One as my main Sequencer DAW and I am still using, since 1992, my Juno 106. I additionally also use the Boutique Version and software adaptation of this synth, but this machine I will take to my grave:)
DS: I used to care, but I don´t anymore. Latest trend for me is, to get more familiar with certain pieces of hardware instruments that I own. The only enemy for me is: quantizing everything to death.
JW: Haujobb has a long history and a lengthy discography, what is it that keeps you motivated to continue be so creative?
DM: For me its very simple. I made my passion, my love my job. I breathe and inhale music constantly. I admire a lot of artists and have the pleasure of working with great people and ver talented men and women. But honestly the biggest talent started this journey with me 32 years ago and we are still doing it together.
DS: AAAWW! In contrast to Daniel doing it as a job, I sometimes wonder, if I would like to do it as a main job or if it would be unfortunate to do so. I like my artistical freedom, but I hate my lack of time.
JW: For some of our audience that is not familiar with Haujobb, can you talk about the early years of the band and how it all began?
DM: Wikipedia is a very good source for that.
DS: haha, yeah, seriously … I don´t even remember much from those
years anymore.
DM: All I can say is, that we loved harsh music, we loved electronic music, especially dark stuff, so it was kind of natural to pick up a synth and a drum machine.
JW: Could you name a few albums that influenced you in the early years of Haujobb?
DM: For sure Skinny Puppys “Too Dark Park” and other than that a lot of songs by a lot of different artist we heard in the clubs and on our walkman back then, Lassigue Bendthaus, Faith No More, Sepultura, Front 242, Clock DVA and a lot of Sci-Fi movies and the music in it…
JW: Are there any current trends that you like in electronic music and industrial these days?
DM: Not really, the scene is pretty boring. Some fresh talent is out there and you can hear it on the second disc of our release. I like certain labels and their releases. Kite is beautiful for example.
JW: Any new or up and coming artists that you are listening to these days?
DM: There is a lot of good music out there, and a lot of crap. But its easy to find good stuff on bandcamp. Once you like something you just follow the recommendations, or follow certain labels. Its so easy. There is a Band call NEU from berlin, they are amazing: https://noj-noj.bandcamp.com/album/waxing-moon-2
DS: My last love was Keluar, but they broke up. So, I am heartbroken now and don´t listen to anything anymore;)
JW: What are your future plans and are there any side projects that you would like to mention?
DM: Haujobb is priority right now. The album will be released 6 weeks from now and there is still alot to do, but we already started on new material.
JW: Does Haujobb have any tours planned?
DM: We want to see first, how the record is gonna perform in the markets and clubs. We love to play live, but its not easy these days.
Bandcamp:
https://haujobb-ger.bandcamp.com/album/the-machine-in-the-ghost