Ralf GUM’s music career dates back to 1990 when he started out as a DJ before establishing himself three years later as a full-on institution within the industry with own productions. Since then Ralf evolved to one of the ‘most respected figures’ in the House Music scene called a ‘pioneer and global House Music superstar’ by others, while his secret is simply to keep absolutely fervid about real music. Always staying ‘true to his passion and attempting to enhance the genre’, he is globally renowned for his ‘exceptional productions and DJ-sets’. On our ‘SpotLight’ this week, we take some time out and find out what has ‘Ralf GUM’ been up too.
ShoMag: Before all goes down, let us thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule, just so we can have a talk with you. Just for the benefit of those might be wondering, who is ‘Ralf Gum’ and where is he from?
Ralf GUM: I am a music producer, label-owner and DJ who was born and raised in Germany for almost 40 years, I lived in Spain for one and half years and in 2012 my wife and I decided to relocate to South Africa, where we feel at home since.
ShoMag: As ‘Mzansi’ know you are a man of many talents. How did it all start for ‘Ralf Gum’? By that I mean how did you get into the music industry and how is your musical journey going so far?
Ralf GUM: As a teen I started out as an ‘avid vinyl collector’ and playing my collection to others led to DJ-ing. The thought of making a career out of it only started after I got my hands on studio equipment for the first time, around 1990 or 91 and while studying civil engineering. I still finished the studies and even started another one thereafter, as I was not able to make a living out of my passion yet, ‘but already spent more time producing music than actually studying’. Thanks to the musical output, nationwide and eventually internationally bookings started to come in. Until around 1996 I still played and produced in a team called ‘Gum Team’, but ‘Axel’ decided after studying the classic route of working in his profession was the way to go for him. Of course I continued DJ-ing alone and ‘never stopped producing’. For gigs I used to be on the road a lot more before the move to SA. As the German scene only had a few locations where one really could play soulful House Music, my market had to be the world and I steadily was travelling. Mzansi offered the luxury of having plenty good gigs ‘at home’. So this also enabled me to be ‘a caring father’, while still putting my full effort into everything music.
ShoMag: ‘Music is a very challenging and highly competitive industry’ in general. What would you say is your biggest challenge when it comes to the music industry?
Ralf GUM: It’s as challenging as any other modern industry on the ‘label and business side’. What makes it differ from most industries are the steadily changing trends. An artist has to decide if he wants to follow these trends to ensure staying hip or rather ‘stay true to him/herself’, which can make it more difficult at times, but usually pays of in the long run. At least once you managed to establish yourself and your sound.
ShoMag: We are living in an era where music labels and go. Not so long ago your label ‘Gogo Music’ celebrated ’15 successful years’ of giving us hits. What has been your ‘secret formula’ at ‘Gogo Music’ and how has the journey been since 2001?
Ralf GUM: I always ran the label as a ‘small boutique label’, which eventually became known in the scene for the quality of the rather sparingly releases. I actually never wanted to build a huge team which you would need to compete with major labels. ‘This enabled me to keep investments low, the team small and the risk calculable’. And the intention never changed, the journey is still the best imaginable and we still intend to enrich the musical landscape with some great dance music on the soulful side.
ShoMag: Every artist would like to have his/her particular. How would you describe ‘Ralf Gum’ sound and what influences that sound?
Ralf GUM: In the end it is always your ears and mind that influences the sound and make it yours. Every change of a parameter in a mix influences another one, so it is your mixing, via the aforementioned. ‘I love warmth in a mix’ and know that I have certain routines, which change over time, to create the sound I am longing for. ‘But I’d actually leave the description of that sound to others’.
ShoMag: Your last album #InMyCity did major damage on just about every dancefloor, what was your inspiration behind that offering as you once said it was ‘a very personal project’ and can the ‘HouseHeads’ expect a follow up this year?
Ralf GUM: It is very personal as it was my first album fully produced in SA. This of course influenced the approach and possibilities, such as working with ‘Hugh Masekela or KB’. It was a conscious decision to move here and I am forever grateful that ‘I was welcomed and accepted here’. Therefore it can be seen as my testament to this country.
ShoMag: Musically, last year was a ‘very hectic year’. Any memorable highlights you have from 2017 and is there any venue or event you enjoyed playing in the most?
Ralf GUM: The release of ‘Sir LSG’s debut album ‘Moving Circles’ which we put out fully independent was my highlight. Internationally it was a great pleasure to play at ‘Vocal Booth Weekender’ again. I really do enjoy our monthly ‘CORE Nights at Kitcheners in Johannesburg’, as I get to play long sets and there have been many great gigs all over South Africa throughout the year. ‘The love for Soulful and Deep House is alive and all over’.
ShoMag: What is ‘Ralf Gum’ currently busy with this year?
Ralf GUM: I am mainly working towards ‘finishing up my forthcoming album’ this year.
ShoMag: For the future, who would you like to work with and why?
Ralf GUM: There are some I always admired like ‘Jill Scott’, but literally it is steadily changing. You hear an inspiring vocalist or instrumentalist and you’d think how cool it would be to be working with that person, but I am enjoying very much the pool of artists which became regulars like ‘Monique Bingham, Kafele or Joseph Junior’ as vocalists or ‘Sir LSG and MAQman’ on the producer side, due to various reasons like quality and efficient workflow.
ShoMag: Last words on what we can expect from ‘Ralf Gum’ this year and is there any message you might have for your fans out there?
Ralf GUM: Finally I am having more new music for you guys, for sure. I doubt that it will already be my full forthcoming album, as I just had to move studio and aren’t able to record everything I need in my bedroom, where I currently set up. I will move into a new space in April and think I’d take further time and will ‘release the full length album only in early 2019’. However singles taken from it will be out. First of those is a collaboration with ‘Lady Alma’, but I still have to record the strings for it. ‘To my fans I want to say that I am truly thankful for making it possible to feed of my passion. I wish all of you find your own passion in life, too’.
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