Karl Moser, the son of an Opera Singer can trace his musical roots back to his childhood. But it was the electro eighties when Karl acquired his first set of turntables, and began his now legendary vinyl addiction. Samuel Holloway caught up with Producer/DJ Karl Moser in his Ponsonby recording studio to talk about coming out, the French, lesbians, mini-skirts, and the origins of dance music. Sam : Karl……some people know you as Siegfried Hans……why? I've always been Karl Moser. It's true that some may know me as my DJ pseudonym Siegfried Hans. In the nineties I left radio to focus more on live production. I toured Australasia with Mika in 1998, as technical manager then straight on to Hero Parade 1999 in a similar role, so I was known more as a technician than as an artist. The creative aspects were always there but I felt at the time it would be less confusing for me and everyone else if I had a separate persona to DJ with. Those years were about finding my feet musically, experimenting with different styles, and playing to as wide a variety of audiences as possible. Now that I'm more confident in my production and DJ skills, I no longer need a musical closet. I'm proud of what I do and who I am. Sam : It seems like an unusual progression if you don't mind me saying……from radio announcer, to engineer/technician, to Producer DJ. How do they crossover? In the ten years I'd been in broadcasting it had been drummed into my head that the single most important thing to think about on air was the listener, or audience, and what they wanted. This also defines my approach to Dj 'ing. The dancefloor comes first. The line between DJ 'ing and production has also blurred. DJ's no longer just play other peoples records. They produce music live by cutting, layering and mixing of individual musical elements. The technical side and the performer side are one and the same now. Sam : You've DJ'd a lot of gay events? Yes! One of the first was at the 'HERO BIG GAY OUT' closely followed by a mid-set at the main dance party. Later the same night I played the closing set in the main room at the French superstars 'BOB SINCLAR' gig, finishing much later than expected. I was booked to play till 6am, but the place was crammed, and going off, and they didn't want to leave, so I just kept playing. Finally at about 8.30 a grinning promoter finally closed the party down. It was one of the best dance-floor experiences of my life. 'MINCE TARTS' at the GRAND CIRCLE last Christmas was wonderful. Both of the 'HERO' parties I've played have been great, but one of my favourite gigs would have to have been the 'EXPRESS' 10th birthday party playing alongside my long time hero BEVAN KEYS. Sam: I heard recently that you're the number one lesbian DJ in the country. Tell me about that. I first teamed up with lesbian party promoter Kelly Rice for the girl party '4 ALL OR NOTHING' playing three consecutive sets in three different nightclubs on the same night. I started at 11pm at club 1, then at 1am grabbed my record bag and ran down the street to club number 2 to carry on with hundreds of up for it girls following right behind me. Then did the same again several hours later. It was quite a sight. I never thought I'd become a lesbian pied piper……haha. I've since played at most of the lesbian parties in Auckland, where I'm privileged to often be the only guy in the building. Sam : Is that the party you wore the legendary Mini-Skirt at? No. That happened at a following Kelly Rice party after a north shore lesbian complained publicly about my masculinity. Fortunately Kelly is a very professional promoter, and her main concern is the best person for the job, so she backed me completely. As a response I asked Dee Za Star to whip me up a denim A-line Miniskirt to wear at the next party. I never realised I'd make the gossip columns because of it. Sam : looking masculine wont be a problem at your next gig though will it? Not while Im DJ' ing but It might when I finish …… next up for me is 'SPANKY's The Hazing, Queens Birthday Weekend. Sam : You're quite passionate about this party aren't you Karl? Yes I am... It's good to see a gay night that is on the leading edge. Worldwide, gay club culture and DJ's have always been at the forefront of dance culture. It's fantastic to see a party in Auckland that reflects that. That was the inspiration behind the 'SPANKY' mix CD. Gay men, in-particular can be very proud of the legacy of Gay deejays and club-goers. Club culture would not be anywhere near as Colourful, Soulful and Meaningful without them. Sam : People Seem to really like the CD. Tell me some more about it. I made this CD firstly for myself. It's my way of paying a tribute to some of the best gay Producer/DJ's in the world. Every track has queer significance for me. I think gay men will really like this CD. I hope they play it loud. Samuel Holloway is an Auckland-based composer and "DJ in miniature" with a deep house bent. Samuel has written for express newspaper and is currently reviewing for Rip It Up magazine. Samuel Holloway - 3rd September 2002