Clubs

Twenty-four-year-old German producer Boys Noize (aka Alex Ridha) sure knows how to make musical friends. Erol Alkan calls him ‘the most exciting producer of the year,’ Tiga reckons ‘Boys Noize records have saved my life as a DJ,’ while Soulwax (aka 2ManyDJs) add that Boys Noize’s new album, ‘Oi Oi Oi’ is ‘a killer’ with ‘great production.’ That should be all you need to know before getting yourself down to Bugged Out’s Birthday party at The End on Saturday where the album – a baker’s dozen of high-octane, banging technotronica that will make dancefloors go loco – gets its official launch. Bugged Out regulars should be familiar with Herr Ridha as he’s dancefloor-tested the tracks on the many previous occasions he’s played there…

When did you first play Bugged Out?
'Two and a half years ago. Erol [Alkan] invited me. He helped me a lot because he was playing a lot of stuff on my Boys Noize label. That was before people heard about me because of the Kaiser Chief’s "I Predict A Riot" remix or the "Banquet" remix I did for Bloc Party.’

Digitalism are from Hamburg too. Do you see any similarities?
'I’m way more into techno than they are. They’re more indie-electro and they try to write more poppy songs and I’m not into that. Jens [Moelle] also went to my school and I recommended him for a record shop job when I left. I was already DJing a lot by then…'

Ah yes, you’ve been playing since you were 14?
'Yeah, I used to play old-school rap and classic disco, then I got into US house and later the French house and Daft Punk sound.'

Daft Punk are a big influence?
'Honestly to me the 1995-era Daft Punk are huge because their production and sound design is amazing. But of course hip hop, house, everything has a little influence.'

So why is the album titled ‘Oi Oi Oi’?
'My designer Paul Snowden came up with this when he looked at my sticker where Boys Noize is repeated three times. The "oi" was there each time. I thought it fits perfectly to the way I handle my label by always saying “no” to managers, shitty promotion and things I don't like. It fits the music as well and kind of reflects the punky attitude.'

You moved to Berlin four years ago. Are you involved in the scene there?
'Not so much. I’ve never even been to the Panorama Bar. I like to do word-of-mouth events – the entrance to our album launch party was through a doner kebab shop and it was the best party I’ve been to in Berlin.'