Pan-Pot is the duo of Tassilo Ippenberger and Thomas Benedix; in just two short years, with 10 singles (for mobilee and Einmaleins Musik) and remixes for the likes of Misc., Tim Xavier, Dapayk Solo, Sweet ‘n Candy, Damián Schwartz, and Anja Schneider and Sebo K, they’ve become known far and wide for their distinctive, groovy, and above all ominous sound. Pan-O-Rama finds the boys stretching that sound in every possible direction: twisting, tearing, and using the shreds to drag a wide swath of techno history into the future (and, just maybe, to drag a few pieces of techno future back into the past). Call it minimal if you must, but this ain’t no clickity-clack shit. You can hear the agonized gurgle of isolationist acid, reminiscent of Plastikman’s darkest nights. You can hear the percolating urgency of classic bleep techno. Tried and true hardware collides with restless digital experimentation as dance music’s DNA worms its way into twisted new shapes. Pan-O-Rama is dark, that’s for damned sure. Eerie vocals that seem to come from within the listener’s own head creep across the stereo field. (Don’t let mystery collaborator Hugh Betcha’s name fool you—judging from his paranoid muttering on “Charly,” he won’t be appearing in any romantic comedies any time soon.) Throughout, restrained minor-key melodies conjure 21st century noir, and a relentless low-end rumble seems to suck up all the light around it.

Could you give a few words about yourselves? How did you come to electronic music?

We both did different jobs or studies before. Thomas was a cook and Tassilo started studying Science of Communication at University. Being too bored with ’normal’ life and highly interested in music, especially electronic music, made us go this way.
From partying to djing to finally producing, we are related to electronic music now for more the 10 years. Probably you can only do that if you love what you do: playing, making music, dancing, partying and having fun.

What about your co-operation? Do you have common influences? How do you reconcile them into a common musical project?

We’re sitting in front of the computer and for sure we’re not free of being influenced by musical things we like. But there’s really nothing to name at the moment, which is influencing us that strong, that we think we have to name it. Our teamwork in the studio is a symbiosis. A track is developed out of a variety of sounds we’re creating during the whole process. Finally we’re building up a construction, the arrangement of the track.

How did you come to work for mobilee records? Why this one and not another?

We knew Anja and sent her a demo and she released it immediately. Since this time we’re happy to work with mobilee and the same for them. It’s a great platform for our music and we’re working like a family together. Guess who’s mama.

The title of your album reminds of a famous club in berlin. Is it a coincidence?

Yes.

Could you describe the underground scene in berlin and define the current trends? What kind of future developments could you identify?

Getting wasted seems to be still very trendy. Which future?

Could you introduce your debut album ‘pan-o-rama’ released in October?

Here comes “Pan-o-Rama”, a wider image of what we like in dancemusic.

What should people who know you for your numerous singles and remixes expect from this album?

Improved Pan-Pot music.

Most tracks are edited in dj-format, that is, 6-minute tracks and more are the rule on this record. Is it intentionally addressed to djs and/or you are against some more ‘mainstream-radio-edit formats’?

We are DJs, we play in clubs and we do music for DJs… But all tracks got an arrangement. It’s not loop techno or something like that. So you can also enjoy this album in your flat. It won’t be boring, hopefully.

What do you think of the debate ‘vinyl versus mp3/cd’?

Start concentrating on your music again…

More generally, what do you think about the current structure of the independent label industry, specifically the emergence of so many net-labels and sales platforms?

We enjoy to be “only” artists and not label owners.

What is your best memory in a show/party?

What a question… best parties are the ones you can’t remember…

Which track or remix of yours do you like the most?

The ones we didn’t do yet.

Is there any particular artist you enjoy to work with?

Vincenzo, Lee Van Dowski, Mike Shannon and so many more…

What are your future projects following the album? Any interesting co-operations in sight?

Always. First we’ll concentrate on the tour, then we’ll start slowly again with productions and remixes.