A DJ, producer, radio broadcaster, label boss and tireless creative, Anja Schneider is renowned as one of the hardest working figures in the music industry. Three years into her Sous Music project, where she released the critically acclaimed ?SoMe? album in 2017, the label has since been at the forefront when it comes to releases from upcoming, hyped or established artists including Mella Dee, Fort Romeau, Billy Turner, Marcus Suckut and Madben. Anja?s next release ?Boundless Beings? will be out on the 20th October, seeing her experiment in terms of production with an opening breakbeat track alongside some Reggae influences from Soultrains vocals.
ANJA SCHNEIDER INTERVIEW WITH FRANKIE SALT
What is unique about the place you live, or is it famous for something?
I live in Berlin Mitte, for about half of my life I have called this city my home. I have always been a big fan of Berlin and I am still fascinated by the energy and the open-minded lifestyles of everyone living here. It?s an easy place to live and has a lot of creative potential. Mitte itself is quieter, with lots of really good restaurants and bars. It’s a nice place to raise children too.
Through lockdown, what has been your favourite thing to do at the weekend?
Running! It?s something that I started many years ago, and when we went into lockdown, helped to keep me happy. It has enabled me to see my neighbourhood in a different way from exploring hidden spaces and parks. However, it has also made me really realise that I am missing the wide-open spaces in the countryside and has left me for the first time ever thinking about leaving the city.
Have you visited any wicked local glamping or wild sites throughout lockdown?
I have been to the lakes, especially as the weather has been amazing. Who needs Ibiza when you have these on our front door? I think a lot of people have no idea about the enormous lakes that surround the city, but they really are amazing.
Any side hustles or skills you want to share with us?
It’s not really a side job or hustle, but I started the Backstage part of my podcast which has been a project I have wanted to do for some time. Lockdown and being home allowed me to explore this. It’s the conversational part of my radio show where I have had guests including FJAAK, Etapp Kyle, Watergate and ANNA and next up I can tell you all that I have Chris Liebing, Damian Lazarus and Rebekah.
What cheeky banger has been playing through your speakers on repeat for the last 6 months?
Well I have been doing my radio show Club Room every week for many years, and that is something that hasn’t stopped throughout lockdown. My music has been very varied during lockdown, I?ve just been focusing on stuff that makes me happy and keeps my mood high. So, I would say the main banger for me is Club Room, for the whole hour!
Favourite Friday night dinner at home or restaurant?
Oh yes! We actually started to have a new Friday night taco dinner. It?s fun, we change up the menu a little each week, but get friends or family over. I think lockdown has been making us all a little more creative when it comes to the kitchen. You can?t order in every night, but in all honestly the tacos haven?t been very good.
What current projects are you working on?
Apart from the radio show each week, my label Sous has my main focus, and we have a lot of good releases on that every month. Next up is actually my own EP ?Boundless Beings? on the 30th October. This was fun to make, as it?s got a breakbeat opening track and then the vocals from the Reggae legend Soultrain on another. The podcast part of the radio show has really taken off, I started it during lockdown as I had more time. I talk to others in our industry, whether behind the scenes, DJs or producers etc and it’s now available on Spotify, Apple Music and my own Soundcloud. It?s been a really fun project with some fantastic guests so far, which I hope to continue.