Introducing: La Fleur

Introducing: La Fleur

28 February, 2011 | 7.26AM

• Written by: Dan Cole
• Filed under: Music News: introducing

La Fleur—aka Sanna Engdahl—joined the compulsory migration to Berlin, home to so many up and coming electronic music producers, in 2007.

Originally from Sweden, she was ranked at number six in the country’s Top 100 DJ list and was nominated as “Best DJ” at the Scandinavian Music Convention.

Moving from DJ to producer, La Fleur has released on Trunkfunk and Melomane; she also runs her own vinyl-only label, Power Plant. Read on for a chat with the artist, whose enthusiasm is matched only by her talent.

How did you get into music production?

I had the urge to get going with my own productions already from when I started DJing. But at that time I was working full time as a pharmacist and playing more or less every weekend, and it was hard to find the time. I reached a point where I had to choose between going full-on with my pharmacist career or to take my rising DJ career a bit more seriously.

I chose with my heart, and I asked my boss for three months’ leave of absence for a trip to Berlin to get some inspiration and find time to get started with my own productions. The three months has now turned into three years. My move to Berlin, which also meant that I had to quit my job as a pharmacist, has given me the time, opportunity, and inspiration to evolve creatively. One outcome was my first two EPs in 2010, and more is on the way.

Do you DJ or play live (or both)?

At the moment I’m only DJing. But I actually just started to work on a live set…

Where do you record now, and what’s your setup like?

In my studio in Mitte in Berlin, where I have a small space which I love. It’s filled with the necessities for me at the moment: Mac computer, Logic Studio 9, Ableton 8, Genelec monitors, Ozone keyboard, AKG micro phone, and a Machinedrum from Elektron.

What influences you to get into the studio?

Aside from the DJing, dancing, and the never-ending love for music, Berlin itself still is a big inspiration for me. Its cultural underground movements produce a lot of exciting stuff, and I’m happy to be a part of it. To be able to be surrounded with good music and splendid artists and more or less breathe and eat music 24 hours a day have definitely influenced me in a good way.

How would you describe the music you make?

Unruly, amusing, emotional electronic dance music. I don’t follow any formula, since I don’t know them that well. I want it to be danceable and groovy. I love to dance and I love music, that’s how I ended up with dance music.

Tell us more about the concept behind the label you’re starting up?

To start my own imprint has been a dream and was on my mind for quite some time, but last year I finally felt the time was right. My imprint Power Plant is a breeding ground and has branches in music, art, and couture, and our vision is to create an organic and constantly growing foundation for the artists who are in the visionary spinning wheel of Power Plant. The force behind Power Plant is quality, curiosity, and artistic expression woven together in an exiting, growing multidimensional garden of trust. When thinking, caring, and helping each other out, great things can be created.

Which record do you wish you had made?

I’m still working on that one, he he…

Who are your musical heroes?

I don’t have any heroes or favorites. I admire and am inspired by a lot of people who try follow their dreams, which often leads to success and musical bliss.

If pesticides were you about to make your flat uninhabitable and you had chance to rescue one record, what would it be?

I have to say my “Flowerhead” EP on my label Power Plant. It’s my baby. And since it’s sold out, limited, and exclusive I hold tight to my only copy left, with the beautiful artwork from the infamous German painter Olaf Hajek.

What records are you hammering out live at the moment?

La Fleur, “Flowerhead (Spencer Parker A Gun For Hire Remix)” [What People Play]

Dionne, “The Xchange” [Terpsiton Cis]

Deniz Kurtel, “Yeah” feat. Guest Of Nature [Crosstown Rebels]

Jesper Ryom, “Godt Begynt” [Power Plant]

Shakarchi & Straneus, “Mogadishu” [Studio Barnhus]

Green Velvet, “Flash (Jamie Jones Remix)” [Relief Records]

La Fleur, “Et La Fleur” [Power Plant]

Deep Space Orchestra, “Riding In My Imaginary Jeep (OOFT Remix)” [Foto Recordings]

Deep Space Orchestra - Riding In My Imaginary Jeep (OOFT! Remix) by aliOOFT

Okain, “Corner Boys” [Jetaime Records]

Stuffa, “Proof (La Fleur Remix)” [Trunkfunk]

What’s been your best gig moment?

Oh, there are so many awesome and memorable gigs! I would say the best gig is always the last one I’ve had, when it felt like me and the dance floor were one, and we had so much fun together.

Germany or Sweden?

Germany for living, Sweden for visiting. But who knows, maybe it will be the other way around sometime again in the future. Both countries are lovable but very different, and have their advantages and disadvantages.

House or techno?

Both! House for the joy and techno for the dark side.

Upcoming releases?

I have licensed the B-side track named “Flowerhead” from my EP with the same name (from my label Power Plant) to Word & Sound’s new label What People Play. It will be re-released now in February with a fantastic remix from Spencer Parker and a new track from me called “Racine.” Besides that, I’m planning and planting forthcoming releases and projects on my imprint Power Plant, where the next release will be an EP from Denmark’s very talented Jesper Ryom, which I am very much looking forward to!

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