German Brigante: "I make the music I truly love, not just what’s popular"

Feb 11

German Brigante, from Malaga, has crafted a unique sound blending pop, hip-hop, electro, and breakbeat influences. Recognized by labels like Dirtybird, Exploited, and Diynamic -and supported by artists such as Solomun and Dixon - he has honed his career with releases like the album "Bipolar". Now, with his own label Manitox, he enjoys complete creative freedom while promoting emerging talent, and he continues to captivate international audiences as a DJ, especially in Argentina and Brazil.

Hi German, your musical career has been strongly influenced by the pop and hip-hop culture of the '80s and '90s. How do you think these roots have shaped your current style as a producer and DJ?

Hi guys, thanks for the interview. In the 80s, the synthesizer sound became stronger in pop, just like the drum machines in the 90s with hip hop and house. When I was a kid, I was absorbed by these sounds and that's the reason why in my productions you can hear the sounds of that time.

You recently released your remix of "Basement Room" for Markus Homm and Nici Faerber on Klaus:elle. What inspired you to do this remix, and how did you approach the creative process?

Basically I used a base similar to my song "So Fine" and then I wanted to apply the Hoover sound from the Alpha Juno to give it a 90s feel. The process was very fun and fast.

Your album "Bipolar" has received a lot of praise. Can you tell us a bit about the journey that led to the creation of this work and how it reflects your growth as an artist?

It has certainly been one of my best works and it was the beginning of a leap in my career as a producer. I was inspired a lot by my life and by the music I heard since I was little. It also helped me to understand music in a different way, not to pigeonhole myself only in rhythms, to learn more about harmony, to not be just another person and to make the music that I really liked and not the popular sound at that time. It was undoubtedly a turning point in my sound. As you say, it received a lot of praise, but especially outside my country.

Your music is often characterized by electro and breakbeat sounds, with a reference to The Prodigy. What other artists and genres have influenced you over the years? Malaga, your hometown, is a place with a rich cultural tradition. How much do you think your city has influenced your approach to music and your artistic choices?

Many like: Michael Jackson, Snap!, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, Art of Noise, Scorpions, 2Pac, Notorious BIG, Chris Isaak, Ace Of Base, Enya and a long list of artists from various genres, including movie soundtracks, flamenco 'the sound of my country' and Arabic music.

The flamenco of my city has influenced me a lot when it comes to making chord progressions or melodies using the Frigia scale, you can clearly see this in many of my productions.