APPAREL INTERVIEW:

SoulParlor
Producers [Germany]

 

Alright, so today we’ve got a proper treat, as we’re hanging out with the legends SoulParlor, aka Frank Jensen and Tobias Müller. Two names that have been shaping Germany’s soulful electronic scene for decades, dropping heaters, hosting great parties, and now coming through with their brand new album “Day By Day” out on Atjazz Record Company.

 
 
 



APPAREL INTERVIEW:

SoulParlor
Producers [Germany]

 

Alright, so today we’ve got a proper treat, as we’re hanging out with the legends SoulParlor, aka Frank Jensen and Tobias Müller. Two names that have been shaping Germany’s soulful electronic scene for decades, dropping heaters, hosting great parties, and now coming through with their brand new album “Day By Day” out on Atjazz Record Company.

 
 
parallax background

 
 

 

SoulParlor Q&A

 

-Lads, welcome! How’s life treating you day by day, if you’ll pardon the pun?

- Tobias: Hi, no need to apologise. Use it as often as you can, maybe it will go viral. Life’s good. The new album is dropping soon, and the US-Democrats are winning again.

- Frank: So far, so good! It's been a bit of a rush these last few days, but I'm not complaining. We're now looking forward to the release and are excited to see what the feedback will be like.

 

-Alright guys, great to hear. Let’s dive straight into it, Day By Day sounds like a culmination of your whole journey so far: deep grooves, forward-thinking soul, and some kind of lived-in warmth. When you look at this record now, what part of yourselves did you pour into it, what were you trying to capture emotionally?

- Tobias: When I produce a new track, I’m always aiming to create a sound which carries/transports/conveys a timeless vibe. If the result calls for vocals, we look for potential collaborators. We don't have a special meta-space filled with concepts to explain or justify the music we make. We make music because it wants to come out.

- Frank: That's exactly how it is. We're both constantly working on new ideas and then seeing where it makes sense to continue working. The current album is actually a collection of tracks that. Tobias and I have selected because they have potential, and are too good to be left gathering dust on the hard drive. In general, our albums are less dance music-oriented and more intended to reflect our entire musical background. If we want something for the dancefloor, we tend to use remixes or EPs.

 

-You’ve got some absolutely killer collaborations on here, from Leona Berlin to Amalia, LyricL, Colonel Red and more. How did those connections come about? Was each feature a pre-planned move or more of a spontaneous, “let’s see what happens if we jam” kind of flow?

- Tobias: These relationships developed through the ongoing series of parties that Frank & Frank organised with international guests over many years, and all the other activities around music and the music-scene. Some of the featurings were clear from the beginning, like Leona’s track, because we created the basic track together. When I did the beat for Amalia’s one I thought: If anyone could lay some vocals on that, Amalia could be the one. Yeah, it worked out! Being a LyricL fan since the loose-lips-days, we just thought it would be very, very cool to have a collab with her. Colonel Red always delivers, so that joint was more or less pre-rolled. But generally speaking, we’re a project not a band with a static setup and so every new collaboration is an experiment. Spontaneity and openness are essential in this approach. Fortunately this works usually pretty well.

- Frank: That's how it is! We are old dudes who have gathered contacts in various ways over the last few decades. In the end, we can consider ourselves lucky to be able to draw on such great contacts.

 

 

 
 

-If we zoom in on the tracks,“Pull Me Close” feels mellow, soulful, “Find Myself” is introspective and rhythmically perfect, while “Elevator Jazz Dance” just oozes groove. Were there any tracks that really surprised you during the making? And, do you guys have got a favorite one amongst the eight?

- Tobias: Being surprised with the final version of a track is a major goal for us. As a beat-maker/producer/musician or any other profession you are passionate about, you also want to develop yourself further, I think. I must say that Desney’s track was my personal surprise, I didn’t see that coming. When I created the instrumental I just thought: ok, today I’ll do something very, very easy, somewhat unexcited. But that created a stage that Desney understood so well and filled it perfectly with a sensual touch. Forgive me if I can't choose a favorite day by day, if you’ll pardon the pun.

Frank: I don't really have a favorite track on the album either. I don't think that would be fair. For me, it was important to put together a playlist that tells a story and accompanies the listener through a day, whether it's sunny or hailing.

 

-There’s this thread of resilience and introspection across the album,“Never Give Up”, “Find Myself”, “Day By Day”... it feels like you’re reflecting on time, maybe even growing up as artists in a scene that moves fast. Do you see this record as a kind of self-conversation about endurance and evolution?

- Tobias: This also happened unintentionally. I guess this is just related to the fact that we’re all grown-up grown-ups now. On the other hand, the basic tracks/instrumentals we create and send out are more or less longer loops, which could cause or create a mood that leads in that direction.

- Frank: Yes, we give complete freedom to the vocalists/singers, to develop their full potential. We don't restrict them, either with a hook or a theme. That way, something really good can emerge. And we, as old men in the fast-paced music business game, are simply too comfortable to play along. We make music because we enjoy it and sometimes it turns out quite well.

 

-Let’s go a bit existential: you’ve both been doing this for a while, shaping the Mainz scene and connecting with legends like Atjazz since way back. What keeps the fire alive creatively after all these years? Is there a ritual, a mindset, or just chaos and curiosity?

- Tobias: As mentioned before, the music wants to get out. I don’t know where this is coming from and there’s no way switching it off/on. Like Amalia likes to say at the end of a chat: “creativity till’ infinity.”

Frank: Since we've never really been able to limit ourselves to one genre and there's still so much out there to discover, it never really gets boring. When I hear new music that appeals to me in terms of production or sound, it's also a kind of challenge to engage with it. In a way, it keeps you young and is a lot of fun.

 
 
 

-Outside of music, what grounds you? Like, what’s a “normal” day for Frank and Toby, assuming there’s such a thing. Do you still find yourself chasing ideas in everyday moments, or do you switch off completely when you’re not in the studio?

- Tobias: We’re ordinary people with jobs. Music grounds us. Music is social. Music is therapy. Music is challenging. Music…

- Frank: I have a wonderful family; I play sports and am an active member of a club. I also have a “9 to 5" job but somehow, music is always there, it's always present in some way, and I think about it a lot.

 

-Germany’s soulful electronic scene has evolved massively since the Sense Music days. What’s your take on how it’s shifted? Do you feel like that soulful DNA still runs deep in newer producers, as we undoubtedly are in a more hybrid, borderless era now?

- Tobias: Unfortunately, I don’t find the time to listen to all the music released day by day 😊. So, I don’t really have an opinion on this. At the end of the day, it’s the listener’s subjective choice und judgment whether the current development is good or bad. Every genre, sub-genre and so on finds its listeners and thus becomes somehow relevant.

- Frank: I find that a difficult topic. The scene is as dynamic as it is loving and destructive! Either you want to or have to earn money with it, or you do it for the love of music. I don't want to attack anyone with this, it all has its justification. But it's a game you have to get involved in, and how far you want to go is your decision.

 

-If you could play Day By Day front to back anywhere in the world, no limits, what would the setting look like?

- Tobias: I like skyscraper rooftops with a skywalk, like King Power Mahanakhon in Bangkok. In the early evening the view is absolutely stunning and you would have people from all over the world.

- Frank: I think it would be Tokyo. On a high-end sound system in a sexy listening bar with open-minded people who are really into music.

 
 
 

Alright guys, before we wrap, time for the Apparel Rapid Fire, the totally unscientific way to get to know the real you. No thinking too hard, just vibe it out:

 

-If you were a city, which one would you be and why?

- Tobias: I would be Sydney, because I have sun, beaches, and an opera house that looks like a spaceship. I would have surfers who are better at riding waves than making small talk, and animals that look at you as if you were the strange visitor. I would be a city that says: “sure, we have sharks, but look how beautiful the sunset is!”

- Frank: Tokyo again! By far the best city in the world, in my opinion. I like the vibe, the open mindset, the modernity, the enthusiasm and, above all, the food!

 

-If you were a geometrical shape, which one would you be, and what does it say about you?

- Tobias: I would choose to be a sphere. If you fall, you can’t break or crack your edges, corners and whatnot. I could easily roll through the world, while cubes, prisms and shapes like that, are quite stiff.

- Frank: I would also choose the sphere. But a cube would also have advantages. That way, you can always adapt well and show your side to the current situation. If a different scenario arises, you flip and show your other sides until there is a match.

 

-If you were an animal, which and why?

- Tobias: A tiger. Since I was a little child, I was a fan of tigers. I still remember that I read a book about a man-eating tiger in India, when I was around 10, and while reading I listened to MJ’s Thriller on tape (pirated copy of course). 10-15 years later, at a flea market, when we started digging, I discovered the album with the fold-out cover and I couldn’t believe what I saw… A tiger cub! Some years later I had dinner at a Chinese restaurant, and they had Chinese calendars with zodiac signs as gifts for customers, and so I found out that I was born in the year of, guess what? Yes, Tiger. You can now try to calculate my age… Frank is a Dragon Chinese zodiac-wise, but he doesn’t know. Tiger & Dragon is always an awesome combo, I guess.

- Frank: I absolutely love foxes! I think they are beautiful, very intelligent, adorable and, despite all the prejudices, have a big heart. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about star signs, especially Chinese ones. But the combination of tiger and dragon is certainly appealing!

 

-If you were a record?

- Tobias: Herbie Hancock – Thrust

- Frank: Slum Village – Fantastic Vol. 2

 

-And finally, if music suddenly vanished from the universe, what would you do with all that creative energy instead?

- Tobias: I would create a new universe and there something like that could never happen.

- Frank: I would do my very best to bring music back. A world without music would eventually fall apart.

 

-Massive thanks for joining us, Frank and Toby. Day By Day is pure class, and we can’t wait for people to dive into it. Big love to you both, and all the best for the future! Peace, love, and broken beats!

- Tobias: Many, many thanks having us!!! Really appreciate this opportunity!!

- Frank: Yes, yes! Thank you very much! *SexyMusicForSexyPeople*

 
 

-Outside of music, what grounds you? Like, what’s a “normal” day for Frank and Toby, assuming there’s such a thing. Do you still find yourself chasing ideas in everyday moments, or do you switch off completely when you’re not in the studio?

- Tobias: We’re ordinary people with jobs. Music grounds us. Music is social. Music is therapy. Music is challenging. Music…

- Frank: I have a wonderful family; I play sports and am an active member of a club. I also have a “9 to 5" job but somehow, music is always there, it's always present in some way, and I think about it a lot.

 

-Germany’s soulful electronic scene has evolved massively since the Sense Music days. What’s your take on how it’s shifted? Do you feel like that soulful DNA still runs deep in newer producers, as we undoubtedly are in a more hybrid, borderless era now?

- Tobias: Unfortunately, I don’t find the time to listen to all the music released day by day 😊. So, I don’t really have an opinion on this. At the end of the day, it’s the listener’s subjective choice und judgment whether the current development is good or bad. Every genre, sub-genre and so on finds its listeners and thus becomes somehow relevant.

- Frank: I find that a difficult topic. The scene is as dynamic as it is loving and destructive! Either you want to or have to earn money with it, or you do it for the love of music. I don't want to attack anyone with this, it all has its justification. But it's a game you have to get involved in, and how far you want to go is your decision.

 

-If you could play Day By Day front to back anywhere in the world, no limits, what would the setting look like?

- Tobias: I like skyscraper rooftops with a skywalk, like King Power Mahanakhon in Bangkok. In the early evening the view is absolutely stunning and you would have people from all over the world.

- Frank: I think it would be Tokyo. On a high-end sound system in a sexy listening bar with open-minded people who are really into music.

 
 

Alright guys, before we wrap, time for the Apparel Rapid Fire, the totally unscientific way to get to know the real you. No thinking too hard, just vibe it out:

 

-If you were a city, which one would you be and why?

- Tobias: I would be Sydney, because I have sun, beaches, and an opera house that looks like a spaceship. I would have surfers who are better at riding waves than making small talk, and animals that look at you as if you were the strange visitor. I would be a city that says: “sure, we have sharks, but look how beautiful the sunset is!”

- Frank: Tokyo again! By far the best city in the world, in my opinion. I like the vibe, the open mindset, the modernity, the enthusiasm and, above all, the food!

 

-If you were a geometrical shape, which one would you be, and what does it say about you?

- Tobias: I would choose to be a sphere. If you fall, you can’t break or crack your edges, corners and whatnot. I could easily roll through the world, while cubes, prisms and shapes like that, are quite stiff.

- Frank: I would also choose the sphere. But a cube would also have advantages. That way, you can always adapt well and show your side to the current situation. If a different scenario arises, you flip and show your other sides until there is a match.

 

-If you were an animal, which and why?

- Tobias: A tiger. Since I was a little child, I was a fan of tigers. I still remember that I read a book about a man-eating tiger in India, when I was around 10, and while reading I listened to MJ’s Thriller on tape (pirated copy of course). 10-15 years later, at a flea market, when we started digging, I discovered the album with the fold-out cover and I couldn’t believe what I saw… A tiger cub! Some years later I had dinner at a Chinese restaurant, and they had Chinese calendars with zodiac signs as gifts for customers, and so I found out that I was born in the year of, guess what? Yes, Tiger. You can now try to calculate my age… Frank is a Dragon Chinese zodiac-wise, but he doesn’t know. Tiger & Dragon is always an awesome combo, I guess.

- Frank: I absolutely love foxes! I think they are beautiful, very intelligent, adorable and, despite all the prejudices, have a big heart. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about star signs, especially Chinese ones. But the combination of tiger and dragon is certainly appealing!

 

-If you were a record?

- Tobias: Herbie Hancock – Thrust

- Frank: Slum Village – Fantastic Vol. 2

 

-And finally, if music suddenly vanished from the universe, what would you do with all that creative energy instead?

- Tobias: I would create a new universe and there something like that could never happen.

- Frank: I would do my very best to bring music back. A world without music would eventually fall apart.

 

-Massive thanks for joining us, Frank and Toby. Day By Day is pure class, and we can’t wait for people to dive into it. Big love to you both, and all the best for the future! Peace, love, and broken beats!

- Tobias: Many, many thanks having us!!! Really appreciate this opportunity!!

- Frank: Yes, yes! Thank you very much! *SexyMusicForSexyPeople*