As an up-and-coming producer, Andre Crom began experimenting with Ableton software and quickly garnered a name for himself as a stellar DJ and producer. Being picked up by labels like Liebe*Detail, Leftroom, Sender and Bpitch didn’t hurt either. RK talks with the deep house master about all things OFF.
The softly spoken and unassuming Crom can’t contain his excitement as he chimes down the line from his hotel room in Amsterdam, where he’s staying for the Amsterdam Dance Event festivities. “I’m pretty busy preparing for our (OFF Recordings) label night; we’re really excited about that,” he says.
With that he reminisces about the influence ‘90s dance culture had on him – and to some degree still has. “This all started really, when I was coming up; I was massively into ‘90s house and still like it today,” he explains. “With time passing and my taste evolving, nowadays my inspirations are more diverse.”
He now describes his sound as more of a tool-based and modern tech-house vibe, akin to more electronic pop like SBTRKT and The xx. His studio work too is keeping him busy as he proudly describes a recent collaboration with newbie, Chi Thanh. “His name may be new, but he is a very experienced producer and songwriter who has finally started his solo project,” Crom says. “Together we’ve just remixed the #1 UK charting band, The 1975 as well as having a few more projects in the works.”
He suggests the project showcases a more melodic and musical approach to club music than people might recognise him for presently. It also affords him the luxury of steering clear of the commercial mediocrity often associated with electronic music. His words of wisdom to this end are profound.
“Commercial music – those songs are designed to catch the biggest possible audience within the first second and they do this pretty well for many people, but the price is that the music is superficial and mostly cheesy. Underground dance music works differently, you need to take time to get into it and let yourself fall into it, but the reward is that it can touch you on a deeper level and arouse more refined emotions – that’s what I love about it.”
And that opinion is one commonly shared by many of his colleagues also based in his native Berlin. “The scene there is exciting and we are all working hard to do good things; the extremely liberal laws and general attitude in the city allow for things that are impossible in other places – like parties that last the whole weekend. And the low living costs and great number of artists, labels and clubs in Berlin make it very attractive for DJs and producers.”
He rolls into what we can expect from his sets in Australia. “I love playing a mix of deep, tech, and more ‘wasted’ house music, depending on the time, location and crowd. If I play a three-hour set, I usually mix in a lot of influences and styles to tell a real story. I have heard nothing but good things about the crowds there (in Aus) and all the Aussies I’ve ever met were really great people!”
ANDRE CROM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31 @ THE COLLECTIVE HALLOWEEN PARTY, MALT
