Jens Lissat and Marco Wolters, or Lissat and Voltaxx as you may know them, are like the Batman and Robin of House music. Except when you consider both of their resumes, it's actually more like Batman and Batman. Now that's a dynamic duo. The German DJ and production team have been working together for about nine years now and the bond has churned out #1 hits across multiple countries, love from big time Dance labels (Spinnin, Toolroom, Tactical), and performances at major venues you wish you could get into. They may have had their start in different subgenres of Dance music (Lissat with Disco from the late 70s and Voltaxx with Acid House at the end of the 90s), but it hasn't prevented them from coming up with memorable House music that people will be dancing to for years to come.
Lissat has been in the game slightly longer than Voltaxx--since 1979 to be exact. Some Germans even refer to him as the "Godfather of Techno." After teaching himself how to mix properly, he started playing local hot spots and producing his own music, one of which is arguably the first German House record--"Work The House Sound" (1987). From there, he would put out no less than 250 original tracks. Voltaxx, on the other hand, is a self proclaimed "tireless studio buff, notorious record-collector, dedicated perfectionist and full-blown vegetarian." He had an early fascination with flirting with the line between House and Electro. When in the studio, he likes to blend the refinement of the elite, small clubs with the big room feel of a festival. And it shows in his ability to lay drums that don't get drowned out by layers of melodies to keep you dancing and catching all of the details he includes.
The two DJs met in 2001 through a mutual friend but didn't come together as a single act for another six years afterwards. What helped seal the deal was both of their extensive knowledge of music and somewhat similar tastes, although they say that they "are very contradictory." But it sounds like their opposing backgrounds mesh in a synergy more than anything as they combine elements from various types of House music. And sometimes it goes beyond that, pulling in sounds from distant lands like the ney sample on "8 Days In Kazantip." How do they come up with these hybrid tracks?
"We have breakfast before our sessions, and then we work usually for 2 days in our studio continuously."
Outside of the studio, they plan their live sets but are always prepared to improvise based on the crowd's reaction. During their sets, which they trade off control of in a B2B manner, is also when they test out new tracks. So be sure to let them know if you like any exclusive tracks you hear at one of their shows. As DJs, they aim to "be open minded, friendly, in time, and unique"--all important characteristics of great DJs. When we asked them about one of the stranger things to happen at a live show, they replied with, "A guy pouring a beer into the mixer and causing a blackout." We would hate for a Lissat & Voltaxx show to be cut early because someone couldn't hold their beer, literally. When they're not avoiding drunks at the club, they sometimes include messages for their listeners in the music. For one track, "Sexshooter," they take on the topic of physical beauty and the extreme standards we hold people to, especially in the clubs. They explained that, "A friend of [ours] is a video artist. He loved our track and we loved the video." Hopefully more DJs love the song and video just as much to create more like it.
After all of these years of hits and touring, they advise aspiring DJs to always have a contract prepared and know that the road ahead is a bumpy one. With advice like that in the back of their heads, they're still striving for that "mega track, which people still play in 20 years." We think that they may already have a few on their hands. And if not, Lissat and Voltaxx are preparing a new album titled Soundwaves. While we had a hunch it would contain more Tribal/Tech House music after listening to their latest releases, they defend that it will cover several genres to accurately represent their eclectic tastes. After all, some people refer to them as an "old couple" and that level of comfort with each other can only lead to more great music.
Last Call
1. What is your favorite movie of all time?Trainspotting
2. As a young DJ, who was the one DJ you looked up to?Lissat: Frankie Knuckles
Voltaxx: Shep Pettibone
3. As a DJ, what's your biggest pet peeve?People asking to play R&B and Hip-Hop.
4. What is your current set up at home?Pioneer 800, 2 Technics 1210, and Traktor.
5. What's your favorite record of all time?There are too many.
Keep up with Lissat & Voltaxx on their Twitter, website, Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Bryan Hahn wishes he was part of a DJ duo so he could only do half the work. He's on Twitter: @notupstate.