Alongside his remarkable contribution to the series, we sat down with MARCEL FENGLER who shared his thoughts about his career, his label, inspirations & aspirations!
- Hi Marcel, we are glad to host you on Paradox. What have you been up to lately?
Hello and thanks for having me on Paradox. It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m doing very well; I actually reshaped my studio a few weeks ago, which brought a fresh wave of energy. Since then, I’ve been fully back on track, diving into a bunch of new projects like EP collaborations, contributions to some amazing VA releases and even exploring a few ideas beyond the dancefloor. It’s been an exciting creative stretch lately.
- Only few artists have found their specific sound and we really think you’ve found your own… How would you describe your sound by the way ? What gears/vst’s are the most important to reach this specificity ?
Thanks, I really appreciate that. As a DJ, my sound has evolved over nearly three decades and still keeps evolving. I’ve always been on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration, which naturally led me to keep things quite diverse. That definitely reflects in my productions too. Whether it’s a straight-up four-to-the-floor groove or something completely beatless, there’s always a focus on deeper and soulful sounds plus a certain rawness, all this balanced by a strong sense of groove and funk. Technically, I rely a lot on resampling techniques to shape and recontextualize sounds. Gear wise, I use a mix of analog and digital tools and a few key VST’s like Soundtoys, Baby Audio and Slate&Ash play an important role in shaping my textures. It’s less about one specific plugin and more about how everything is layered, processed and brought to life.
- I guess you experienced a change in generations of Techno fans. Do you feel the crowd interacting with electronic music the same way as back in the days ?
Things have definitely changed over time. Looking back, the connection with electronic music felt more intimate and centered around discovery. The scene was smaller, more focused on the music itself and less shaped by visibility or social media. Nowadays, it’s much more open and fast moving, with a strong emphasis on performance and presence. But despite that shift, when everything aligns, the dancefloor still creates that same kind of magic. The way people connect may have evolved, but the essence is actually still there.
- Last summer, you had three gigs in the US, but it seems like it wasn’t your first time there. How was your first experience?
That’s right, I played in New York, Phoenix, and LA. I can only say great things about the scene over there. Even though it’s a “relatively” young scene, the vibe and the production quality of the parties are incredible. I honestly can’t wait to go back.
- You launched your own imprint, IMF (Index Marcel Fengler), on 2011. In which context did you came up with this idea? As a label manager, what were the main challenges you faced from the start ?
Yeah, launching IMF back in 2011 was a big and important step for me. The main idea was to have full control over how I release my own music, from the sound to the artwork and everything in between. I wanted to shape the entire process myself, including mastering, visual direction, working with the right pressing plants and distribution partners. Of course the core goal has always been to find and release great music. But over time the challenges have definitely grown, especially in how you present music today, whether on vinyl or digital, and how you promote it through clips, visuals, and the whole media landscape around it.
- I know it’s hard to answer to that but if you had to pick out 3 favorite releases of the moment, what would it be ?
Lately there’s been a real wave of fresh and exciting music and after a period where things felt a bit one dimensional, I feel much more inspired again. Three releases/producers have especially caught my attention recently. First is Kabay, who also released on my IMF HARDPROOF series. His track ‘Felix Dream’ is a beautifully crafted tune, super versatile and marked by outstanding sound design. It’s truly inspiring and a joy to play. Then there’s Nadia Struiwigh, whose recent output has been consistently strong. ‘Wind Whisper’ from her latest release on The Third Room really stood out to me with its depth and atmosphere. And finally, Human Safari with ‘Sunset in 93’ also part of the HARDPROOF series. His jazz infused take on techno is something quite special and always brings a unique flavor to my sets.
- Do you have a precise moment in your career that you’ll never forget, or that was a key moment for you ?
There have been many meaningful moments throughout my career, but if I had to point out a key turning point, one of them would definitely be becoming a resident at Berghain in 2005. That opportunity really shaped everything that followed and marked the beginning of my professional path as a DJ. Before that, I was playing self-organised parties in my hometown Fürstenwalde in the mid 90s and building up small independent networks in and around Berlin, which led to gigs in local clubs, regional festivals and on smaller techno floors in discotheques. It was a very vibrant and formative time, full of excitement and memories I’ll always carry with me. But with the Berghain residency, things took a new direction and moved to another level. It gave me access to a broader international stage and the chance to join an agency with like-minded artists from all over the world. Definitely one of the most important milestones in my journey and something I remain deeply grateful for.
Then of course releasing your first record is always a special moment. For me that was ‘Playground’ on Ostgut Ton in 2007, which marked the beginning of my path as a producer and later led to starting my own label, Index Marcel Fengler in 2011. Most recently this journey continued with the launch of my event series KISHIKAN. It brings together everything I’ve learned from being involved in events over the last ten years. I had been working on the idea for a long time and originally planned to launch it in early 2020. But the pandemic forced me to put it on hold. So it felt really good to finally make it happen last year and to see it start off so well.
- As a DJ, you must come across loads of promos. What do you think about the current production in the techno circuits? Is there enough sense of creativity or innovation according to you?
Yes, I come across a lot of promos and it’s always interesting to hear what’s coming through. From my very own perspective, there’s definitely a broader range of quality and ideas again. While there was a time when many productions felt quite repetitive and followed similar formulas, lately I’ve noticed more artists exploring different directions, experimenting with textures, moods, and arrangements. There’s definitely creativity out there and when something really stands out, it reminds you of the depth and potential this genre continues to have.
- What would be your advice to a young artist that is emerging on this scene ? Be focused on what is being released and go with the flow or always keep in mind what was done before ?
For me it was always about following my own path and staying true to what felt right. That approach helped me build a space where I feel creatively confident and connected. It is not necessarily the easiest route and often it means facing more obstacles along the way. But I really believe it pays off in the long run. My advice to a young artist would be to find that balance between understanding the present and respecting the past. It’s important to be aware of what’s happening now, to understand the current landscape, but at the same time having a sense of the past gives your work depth and context. In the end, it is all about developing your own voice and not losing sight of what feels honest to you.
- How did you record the podcast for Paradox ? Can you pick a record from the mix and tell us why you like it or how you found it ?
The mix is built almost entirely on new and upcoming releases, with just a few exceptions. My main focus was on depth, layered structures and creating a narrative that moves through different moods and energy levels. To give you an idea of the range within the mix, I’d like to highlight three tracks.
First, Risa Taniguchi’s ‘Direct Lines’ on Mind Medizin, the label founded by Lady Tazz. It’s a super hypnotic banger built around a killer bassline and I absolutely love the drive and atmosphere it creates. Second, Linkin Ray’s ‘Lust’ on Be As One. This one moves forward with real force while staying deep and refined, with a lot of beautiful detail surrounding its dubbed-out chord. Absolutely stunning.
And finally, Steve Redhead’s ‘Running In Circles’ on Perc. His productions always carry this unique, relentless energy and I find myself playing his tracks in nearly every set. It was a great surprise to see Perc exploring this kind of sound aesthetic and the result fits perfectly into the overall arc of the mix.
- The world of electronic music is based on debates nowadays, is it better on vinyl or mp3 in terms of mixing, can a dj be only someone that creates a set based on other’s productions or does he have to produce too… Does this mean that electronic music has become something to gossip about ? Do we care too much about what’s around and not only about the music ?
Yes, there is definitely a lot of debate in the scene these days. Sometimes it feels like people focus more on opinions and image than on the music itself. Talking about these things is fine, but we should not forget that electronic music is mainly about expression, creativity and connection. I played vinyl only for over 15 years and still really love the format in all its forms. But I also enjoy using the full range of options that come with playing digitally. In the end it does not matter if you play vinyl or digital, or if you produce or not. It is about the energy you bring and how you connect with people through music.
- Many techno artists say they’re not very comfortable when it comes to the technical aspects of producing. How far do you think mastering this subject is important for a producer in the nowadays techno industry?
I think having a good understanding of the technical side definitely helps, especially when it comes to translating your ideas clearly and making your sound stand out. But it’s not everything. The individual creative vision and the personal feeling you bring into your music are at least just as important. You can always learn or work with others on the technical side, but what really matters is having something to say and finding your own way to say it.
- What artists/labels are holding your attention this year?
In addition to the artists I mentioned earlier, there are several others who have really caught my ear recently. To name a few, LPV, Annē, Red Rooms, Chontane and VNTM have all released strong and inspiring work. It’s also great to see artists like Shed and Invexis, who have been part of the scene for a long time, returning with fresh and impressive releases. On the label side, Remco Beekwilder’s Emerald continues to be a reliable source of quality music. I’ve also been enjoying the output from WARG Records by SPEZ and labels like Dolly by Steffi and Mutual Rytm have been on a consistently strong run. It’s a very exciting time musically.
- What are the next big projects for Marcel Fengler and IMF?
Lately, I’ve been quite busy on the production side. My first release on Cocoon called ‘Aura, just came out and there’s more in the pipeline for IMF, including collaborations with incredibly talented artists like Sons Of Hidden from Colombia as well as Tarkno and Human Safari. I’m also about to finalize the next IMF HARDPROOF edition, which features some absolutely stunning tracks. In addition, I’m contributing to upcoming VA releases on WARG Records and KALT and currently working on my second album, which is a very personal and special project for me. On top of that, a lot is happening with my event series KISHIKAN. After some amazing shows in the US, Canada and India, we’re now preparing for some strong editions back in Europe. Exciting times ahead.
Big thanks for the invite and best from Berlin, Mx
Thanks a lot Marcel, we hope to see you very soon somewhere, keep the good vibe on!
Love and respect