Our second interview for January of 2000 is with Swiss trance and techno DJ Arode von Pinderschlass who recently visited San Francisco, where she contacted SISTER: we were delighted to get to know her and have her play several times for us. This truly international woman really knows how to get a crowd going! We're looking forward to her return to the States soon, too.

SISTER SF: How did your DJing career get started?

Arode von Pinderschlass: In my city (Geneva) I've always been known as a big music fan and record buyer, so in 1987 a bar / club asked me to throw some records for an electro crowd. It worked pretty good and I started to understand this immediate energy exchange. The thrill hasn't stopped!

SISTER SF: How did you learn to DJ?

Arode von Pinderschlass: First mellodically with Charles, then technically by watching Laurent Garnier's early sets, now by experimenting by myself.

SISTER SF: In the past have you had any classical music training?

SISTER SF: Did you get support from men in the scene when you began DJing?

Arode von Pinderschlass: Yes they did help me start. In Geneva in the late 80's Charles S., one of the first DJs, showed me the basics of mixing and often shared his residency with me. Then Marc in Miami Beach did the same and help me promote a trance night in the mid-90's. I owe them a lot!

SISTER SF: Was there resistance of any kind from men in the scene?

Arode von Pinderschlass: In the beginning not really since I was not a competitive DJ. But as my skills evolved resistance starts to appear.

SISTER SF: How has the techno and trance scene changed here and in Europe since you began DJing?

Arode von Pinderschlass: In Europa underground raves have been replaced by huge commercial events (2,000 to 20,000 people!) where the mix-CD (of the party) is out before the party! Trance still has the biggest flow, so has House. drum and bass is only going in UK.

SISTER SF: Where do you feel the scene over there is going?

Arode von Pinderschlass: More parties, more bordom, more DJs, more money, less music.

SISTER SF: Are female DJs getting a better or worse deal in Europe? How are things different over there?

Arode von Pinderschlass: I think being a girl DJ doesn't help here or there. But in the US I often found true support since promoters are aware of the situation and far more concerned about talent: in San Francisco my first support came from SISTER! Girl POWER!!

SISTER SF: When you're not DJing, what do you do?

Arode von Pinderschlass: I take care of my secret garden, my friends, my dog, the programming of my live sets. Everything evolves around music.

SISTER SF: Favorite gig? Dream gig?

Arode von Pinderschlass: I truly had a blast in San Francisco!! Spundae impressed me with the quality of their sound. My dream gig would be playing for a big rave with a strong musical and spiritual concept like "Burning-man" in LA or "Vision" in Switzerland.

SISTER SF: Any gig horror stories?

Arode von Pinderschlass: Everytime I see dusty f***ed up MKIIs and lame equipment.

SISTER SF: What equipment do you use? Have you done any producing yet?

Arode von Pinderschlass: My left and my right ears. Yes, I found an old friend whose a techno producer now and wants to collaborate with me. Producing a trance track is one of my goals this year.

SISTER SF: So where does the future of Arode lie?

Arode von Pinderschlass: In the arms of studio equipment, between the left and the right speaker!Yo!

Arode was interviewed by XJS. Want to know more? Read the Arode von Pinderschlass bio in our Guest DJs section.