The Berlin underground has been steadily invading Bangkok as of late, but this city still hasn’t seen anything quite like Pan-Pot.
Started by Tassilo Ippenberger and Thomas Benedix in 2005, Pan-Pot has quickly risen through the electronic ranks thanks to its penchant for playing dark-and-dirty modern techno. The name “Pan-Pot” comes from a dial used to mix tracks, but even that audiophile inside joke fails to hint at the duo’s unorthodox approach to bass and distortion.
Coconuts got personal with Pan-Pot before the duo’s debut performance in Bangkok.
Coconuts: How did you guys meet?
Tassilo Ippenberger: This was when we both moved to Berlin to study audio engineering. We were at the same school and shared the same courses and it didn’t take long until we found out that we share the same interest in music.
Thomas Benedix: We spent a lot of time together at school and in the studio so it happened that we started our own project and Pan-Pot was born.
Coconuts: What was your first impression of the other DJ?
TI: Thomas was really funny, the typical class clown type.
TB: I liked Tassilo’s haircut. It looked so different than all the other haircuts that I’ve seen before.
Coconuts: What do you personally bring to the duo?
TI: Both of us share a big common sense of music so this is what we both bring. We both bring creativity into Pan-Pot but in different ways and moments. This motivates us in situations where you probably would stop working when you work alone.
TB: I bring the beer!
Coconuts: What does the other DJ bring?
TI: Thomas has good ideas and is open to new things. Obviously, it never gets boring with him in the studio.
TB: Tassilo is more the business type of person and is also a very good sound engineer.
Coconuts: How do you solve differences in the studio?
TI: We can be glad that there are not that many differences and this is also because we both have our own separate studios where we can also work individually. When we come together, of course we have to find compromises but this is very normal if you work as a team. After 10 years of working together we know each other so well and also realize when the temperature is rising so we can cool it down again.
TB: Is this some kind of therapy interview? First we discuss, then we scream and shout, yell and slap each other and then we go to a get a drink.
Coconuts: What has been your favorite gig so far?
TI: Highlights are always at Watergate Berlin, Studio 80 in Amsterdam and many more great nights where we are able to play long sets.
TB: There are too many good ones to tell, really. Time Warp in early April was definitively one of my favorites.
Coconuts: Name one of your favorite tracks right now and why.
TI: I really like the new Kölsch record on Speicher. It has a great, old-school feel and so many happy parts. In fact, I happen to be listening to it right now!
TB: Envoy – “Dark Manoeuvres (Slam Remix)” reminds me of the early raves from when I was young. I also still get goosebumps from Whiteout xtc!
Coconuts: What are you looking forward to most about Thailand?
TI: It’s our first time coming to Thailand. I’m really excited to see Bangkok as I heard so many nice things about it. I’m sure the crowd will be amazing. So let’s do this.
TB: Original Thai curry and the city of Bangkok itself. A lot of my friends have been there and they only have good things to say about Thailand.
“Retox Sessions Presents Pan-Pot” is happening Friday April 26 at Glow Nightclub on Sukhumvit Soi 23. Tickets are available at the door for THB550, which includes open bar from 9:30 to 10:30pm. Opening the show will be Bangkok’s own DJ Superstar Panda.
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