Snax offers smörgåsbord of special guests with new album

Snax is back with his third solo album, Special Guest Star, and as the title suggests, he’s roped in a number of worthy contributors such as Jamie Lidell and Eric D. Clark — so maybe “solo” doesn’t really apply here. Then again, Snax is resurrecting his very own Random Records (inactive since his debut 12″ EP from 1996) for its release, eschewing the typical middleman-run system.

Aside from that, he is gearing up for a bi-weekly night called Headache at Bang Bang Club, launching on the 20th of April with Namosh live and guest DJ Mt. Sims. He’ll also perform live at Monster Ronson’s on the 23rd in celebration of Squeezebox hostess Gloria Viagra’s birthday. I recently asked Snax a few questions about the new record, collaborating and (sex) life in Berlin. The album’s full tracklist appears at the end.

Expatriarch: Over the years, you’ve worked with a number of different labels, including Mille Plateux, Playhouse and Get Physical. Why did you decide to go the DIY route this time?

Snax: Well, I got nothing but ambivalence from labels who I sent the record to. Just about all of them liked it, but were always like, “The market is so bad now, and we can’t really take a chance on something unless it’s guaranteed to sell,” blah blah blah. Plus, I was looking for a physical release and most were scared of that option as well. Maybe for others, the record was too straightforward pop — I don’t know. Anyway, I was toying with the idea of releasing it digitally myself for a while and in the end I thought, why not? Turnover is much quicker, and I get to do it exactly how I like. The downside is being in charge of all press, promo and everything, without the team of a proper label behind you. So there is indeed a trade-off.

Having featured guests on tracks is pretty common practice nowadays, but it often seems like a contrived marketing tool rather than an organic collaboration. How did you first connect with Jamie Lidell and Eric D. Clark?

I first met Jamie when he came to a Captain Comatose gig in Berlin. He came up to me after the show and complimented my keyboard playing and singing. I was so flattered! From then on, we started seeing each other around and jamming together at these live improv sessions Mocky would arrange. Then came the keyboard solo on “When I Come Back Around”. Later we both had studios in the same building. That collaboration was real organic.

Christ, I don’t remember how the hell I met Eric. I’m sure at some bar! The track we did together on the LP is called “The Spark” and it came about like this: He came over to this dump of a studio I had in Friedrichshain. We wrote it, went back to my place, fried us up some chicken, went back to the studio. That’s how I like to work!

You already roped in some top-notch names for Special Guest Star, but is there anyone else, living or dead, whom you would love to work with?

Jimm Altman, a DC native who was an incredible songwriter who dies of AIDS in obscurity. Actually I wouldn’t even collaborate. I’d just let him do his thing. Get his compilation called Hand Carved Coffins.

Any other interesting collaborations coming up?

Plenty. Shunda K and I did a real party track together called “It’s Time To Get Paid” which is coming out on her LP this summer. I contributed vocals on a track by Israeli techno wizard Chaim. That comes out on his album in September. Also did vocals on a tracks for Gomma’s Rodion and Polish disco star Max Skiba. Recently, I sang on Lorenz Rhode’s “Something Hot”, out now on Exploited. I’m also really excited about the new hit I created with Prix, AKA Tennesee Claflin. He’s the superstar in my new video for “Can’t Be Bothered” and the track we did is called “Spritz It.” If you don’t know what “spritz” means in German, look it up!

Who would you like to collaborate with in bed?

A three way with Jerri Blank and her step-fag Derrick.

You’re an American expat. To you, what’s the biggest difference between Europeans’ and Americans’ attitudes toward sexuality?

I’ve often put it like this: When it comes to sex and sexuality, America is a pimple-faced, giggly teenager, while Europe (Western Europe, that is) is a mature adult. I’m generalizing of course, but I think the metaphor applies for the most part. Eastern Europe, on the other hand, has got a way to go, I think. My backup singer Alessandro and I tried for hours to find one gay bar in Kiev, for example, and it was completely futile.

Earlier this month, you DJed at the infamous Berghain/Panoramabar, and you also appear regularly at Ficken 3000. Both places celebrate diversity within sexuality and gender expressions. Have you been to another city that is so open as Berlin? Hell, even our mayor is a homo.

Hmm… Well, I pride myself on having lived in most of the major sex cites: San Francisco, New York and Berlin. Berlin is by far the most relaxed and open about sex. Every night there is a sex party somewhere, no one cruising in the parks thinks for one minute about the cops, and they sure ain’t scared of nudity. On the other hand, taboo can also be sexy, and all the freedom here sometimes makes everything a bit perfunctory. But I still prefer it that way than the way the States can be — so conservative and backwards. But I see that changing too, as one state after another starts recognizing gay marriage, for example. The closet can’t last forever. I really look forward to the day when repressive, dogmatic systems — such as those in Iran and other mid-east countries — finally fall and loosen their grip on sexual freedoms.

Special Guest Star, out the 21st of May on Random Records:

01. Theme from Real Love Studios
02. Special Guest Star
03. No Show feat. Jules Etienne
04. Can’t Be Bothered feat. The Snackettes
05. Tired of Talk feat. G. Rizo
06. Get Live, Snax
07. Get in Trouble
08. Don’t Wanna Get Over
09. Third Time’s a Charm
10. Back to Start feat. Jamie Lidell and Ms. Le Bomb
11. The Spark feat. Eric D. Clark

Live photos by Lucas Heinz. Cover artwork by Mario Dzurila.