Biography
Stefan Tretau´s musical journey begins in Mulheim an der Ruhr, Germany where he was born. Having spent some time in Switzerland Stefan returned to Germany with a head full of ideas and inspirations, which he found in electronic music. Influences of the time included producers such as Rob Acid, Tesox and Phuture 303. For Stefan forward thinking was the only thinking and in 1999 he teamed up with one of his closest friends Stefan Mallmann to form the acid combo called “Complexx 303”. The duo went on to play live at many respected venues across Germany such as the Chism club and Fusion. Hardware synthesisers and drum machines would play a key part in their live sound with up to 12 synths and Roland 303's and 909's creating pure analogue madness!
It was during his time with Complexx303 that Stefan became more interested in the ever increasing popularity of software synthesisers and technology. He found a greater deal of creativity and softsynths gave him a new level of complexity and depth previously unavailable. The realisation of ideas became much simpler and the sound was evolving into a much deeper minimalist sound.
Having left Complexx 303 in 2005 Stefan immersed himself in writing and producing his own material. His sound was becoming much more detailed and he was soon enjoying making music without boundaries, where he was free to experiment with a much more minimal sound. Always a forward thinker Stefan saw the internet as an outlet for his productions and his first release came in 2005 on the Intoxic net label which was a three track maxi. This was received to much acclaim and other releases soon followed including his first vinyl release on Broque Rec. Stefan also took part in Karmarouge Records remix competition of “Gluecksmelodie“ by Gabriel Ananda. Over 270 entries were submitted and Stefan was chosen as one of the five winners!
“ Stefan Tretau's remix doesn't deny its closeness to the original even if it is less ravish. This remix is characterized by psychedelic and spheric elements and a pour forwards detroitish bassline.“
2007 soon got off to a perfect start with Stefan coming to the attention of London label Sounderground Records. The immediate reaction from the label was to sign him straight away on the basis of the first track they heard called “Who Saves The Day“. This first signing quickly led to another and then another! After some digital releases like "Venus" and the great "Ruckzup" his first 12" on Sounderground will be the “Ellis Perry EP“. A three track release coming September 2007 with amazing remixes from Inxec and Mikael Stavostrand!! In the mean time Fortek headhoncho Literon discovered Stefan´s music through the internet. It was the exqusite "Venus Express" that caught his attention. Literon immediately contacted Stefan and asked him to produce a twelve for fortek. Thus the connection was established. Stefan´s first release on Fortek is the brilliant four tracker "Kawaii EP" containing originals and remixes of deep techno voyages like "Kawaii", "Venus Express" and "Baumeln & Schaukeln". Other releases will follow in the course of this year on Heimatmelodie Records and Leftout, a sublabel of Leftroom Records.
“Personally i find biographies can only say so much about a person and for me the real persona of Stefan lies within the music he creates“
…to be continued!!
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