Sustainability should matter to us all

Sascha, how is the current situation evolving for you as an international DJ as the coronavirus pandemic is hopefully nearing an end?

Sascha Braemer Very positively! We’ve got through the year and a half of stagnation, and now have lots of booking enquiries and can travel again. We’re looking forward! I also notice that people are enjoying partying again. We’ve all waited long enough for that!

How did you creatively use the slower years for yourself?

Sascha Braemer I devoted my time to my family, I have two young children. We really grew together as a family and that enriched us all. Of course, I also had a lot of time to sit in the studio and produce music. But I think I will take some time with a new album, because I am just getting back into my music in everyday life. And then hopefully an album next year.

Your label also supports young artists. To what extent is this a matter close to your heart?

Sascha Braemer Everything revolves around music for me. Young artists are also coming up with fresh stuff. That also enriches and inspires me. I am really happy that there are so many new and fresh artists who are bringing out really good music. Essentially, it’s a case of give and take. It also keeps me up-to-date and young.

At the age of 23, you were Germany’s youngest head of department in a company in the automotive industry. Why switch to the uncertainty of self-employment?

Sascha Braemer In actual fact, I was still very young and by 23 I had achieved what I could achieve. Not much more would have happened beyond that. Unfortunately, I was never interested in opening an automotive dealership. So the move was not entirely impetuous. And then I went freelance as a DJ, and was able to and indeed had to take on a lot of jobs that might not be so much fun now. But they also inspired me and above all – with the benefit of hindsight – kept me grounded. After five or six years, I set up my first label and had real success with the first release. That meant that I could also travel and evolve musically. In retrospect, I am so very happy that I can do the job I love.

Do you still love cars today?

Sascha Braemer Cars are my number one mode of transport. Even if I have to take the plane for lots of jobs. Cars are just safe, convenient and comfortable solutions. I have my own driver who accompanies me on all tours. We travel long distances by car. It means that I can work, eat or sleep in the car if I want. I’ve got my computer with me, headphones, and all the plug-ins I need on a hard drive.

What fascinates you more: classic cars or new cars?

Sascha Braemer What’s coming soon. Classic cars are amazing cars but you need time, love and care. I prefer to spend this time with other things, for example with my kids and my music. I am also a lover of futuristic films, so I am more interested in the cars that are now in the pipeline. I also believe that we may soon be driving an electric car to gigs. We will probably need to plan differently, because we will have to factor in intermediate stops on longer journeys, but that can definitely be done for sure. I’m excited about what the future holds.

You now live in the countryside in Thuringia, but you grew up in Berlin. How has the city changed in your view?

Sascha Braemer Berlin was and continues to be forward-looking and always on the move. I have lived here for 40 years. You are always on the move here and can reach anything and anyone at any time. In my eyes, Berlin is the city of limitless possibilities, and that will always be the case. Everything evolves very quickly. I’ve heard that the buses are supposed to be run electrically by 2030. We’ve got have car sharing, electric bikes and scooters. I believe that we are mobile like never before.

You get around a lot. Can Berlin also keep pace with international mobility?

Sascha Braemer I was in Singapore some time ago. You arrive at the airport and immediately feel in good hands: you know immediately where to go, and rows of taxis are waiting for you. Everything is very organised, very clean and mobile. Berlin could take a leaf out of this book. But fundamentally, we should be very satisfied with our mobility in Berlin.

You mentioned your two children. How does sustainability and climate protection play a role for you as a father?

Sascha Braemer They have now become a real priority for me. Throughout my life, I have never thought about it. This change really only came about when I had children. We teach the children to eat healthily and separate their waste. We buy responsibly-made clothing and no longer want to be part of the extreme disposable society. We try to impart a positive approach to our children as they grow up. Sustainability needs to matter to us all. In the long term, there is simply no other solution. When you look into it, you quickly realise that we should simply be aware of things and live our lives accordingly. We can only achieve this goal together!