Parov Stelar (Biography)

 www.parovstelar.com

Parov Stelar aka Marcus Füreder (born November 27, 1974) is a musician ho lives and works in Linz, Austria. He performs with his Band - the Parov Stelar Band - and as a DJ worldwide. Parov Stelar is the head of Etage Noir Recordings.

After gaining experience as a DJ at nightclubs during the mid-late 1990s, Parov Stelar got involved in producing and publishing in 2000 for the first time.

After early works under the pseudonym Plasma and his real name, and also being a partner of the label Bushido Recordings, in 2004 he started producing under the pseudonym Parov Stelar. In the same year he founded his own label: Etage Noir Recordings.

His first release, for Etage Noir, "KissKiss EP" and the soon after released LP "Rough Cuts", provided him immediate breakthrough on the international electronic music scene. His specific approach to music production, combined with a proven sense of sound aesthetics, led to massive reaction of audience and colleagues all around the world, giving him reputation as the founder of a new genre: "Electroswing"

The following albums "Seven and Storm", "Shine" and latest the double album "Coco", as well as numerous singles and remixes made Parov Stelar one of the most wanted and successful artists of his kind. Parov Stelar's Tracks have been used on more than 700 Compilations (for example: Hôtel Costes, Buddha Bar, Electro Swing) and have been the soundtrack for numerous TV ads, TV shows, TV series and movies.

Wikipedia

The Free Encyclopedia

  

www.chordvine.com - "We spoke to Parov Stelar, whose brand of electro-swing we discovered recently and have grown to love!"

Who or what inspires your music? Since it’s a blend of swing and electronica, who are your biggest influences in both genres?

I find my inspiration in daily life. Ordinary, everyday life is full of small things that can give you the key for a great sound. I adore people like Artie Shaw but also older material by Daft Punk and Fatboy Slim.

Of all the records you’ve released, which is your personal favourite musically, closest to your heart and why?

Oh, it’s hard to say. I don’t have favourite records but there are some songs I still love like Libella Swing and Baska Brother. Also Booty Swing and Coco (remixed) are some of my favourites. All these songs I mentioned have a certain direction that touches my heart. I love music with emotion.

Tell me a little about the making of your latest EP, La Fete.

La Fete is a mixture of my old productions in a new way but here we’re talking about Parov Stelar, the DJ. The albums are always different.

Five things you always carry on tour…?

iPod, a book, my shades, my 1930 cap and my moods!

The one artist you would love to collaborate (and have not yet) with in the near future?

It would be Billie Holiday. It’s a pity this dream will never come true. I adore her as a person and artist.

That Swing is my favourite album. Can you tell us a little about the making of it, how long did it take to record etc.?

Honestly, That Swing is a best of Parov Stelar which was only released for the Greek market!

One record that changed your life…?

White Album - The Beatles

A music festival you’d love to attend?

There are so many and we’ve played at so many but Glastonbury should be on our list soon!

Tell us a little about your live shows and how they are produced. Do you prefer playing live sets or DJ sets?

You can’t compare the live set with the DJ set- DJ’ ing is a lot easier! For a DJ set, we are a team of three people on the road. With the live band we are about 11 - 12 persons traveling. So you can imagine that my tour manager has a full time job with the band!

On stage I am quite the frontman and the band has a vocalist, saxophonist and the bass player in the first line, the drummer and I are in the second line.

I would say the DJ sets are perfect for clubs and the live band for big festivals.

Any upcoming local Austrian artists you like and recommend we check out?

I love working with my 2 tour DJs- Pat Poree and Alex Ryba. Pat Poree is going to release his first record soon and both of them are incredible DJs. Mike Rigler is also preparing a new album for Etage Noir Recordings.

Why did you decide to start a record label? Musicians mostly prefer making music and don’t usually involve themselves in the business side of things. Tell us a little about the early days of Etage Noir.

It’s very simple- I could never accept a boss in my life! I love my freedom when it comes to deciding stuff like my artwork and the tracklist of a record. We were very lucky with Etage Noir cause it started out very successful and is still doing well!

One piece of gear / equipment that you absolutely can’t do without?

Logic Pro and the Oxford Inflator

Would you like to play India sometime?

Of course!

What’s next for Parov Stelar?

In two hours my new singer, Cleo Panther (you should check her out!) will come in for a studio session for the new album and tomorrow we leave Austria for a new festival tour through Europe.

chordvine.

Online Music Magazine

| Check this clip out! Parov Stelar Band Pocket Movie |



Roof Top Chill-out Area (Design Review)

          This is my latest project in November 2011. An outdoor space at HOME guesthouse purposed for evening chill-out spot. I’m not that often to make a detail design by myself, because my partner, Ernest, would be in charge fully for EASE design division. I’m focusing myself in global management tasks and take part just in design conception only. Noticing that HOME will make a public area purposed for resting facility, I decided to leave my tasks for a while to do my dream-design. It’s all about the chill-out... J

design by: Mario Arthoni

3D drawing by: Ernest Tan

EASE Space Saving Interior Consultant & Designer

|  http://easeinterior.blogspot.com  |  ease.interior@gmail.com  |

  

          Problems to solve here are: view’s barrier (1.3 m high existed wall fence for safety purpose), the small void in the center, tropical rain on the rainy season, portion of seating, and no roof top garden allowed.

          First, view achievement gained by constructing stages by about 20 cm high from ground, in purpose of gaining beautiful evening view while sitting on the chair or sofa. Stages also functioned for avoiding the risk of flooding exceeded water on the ground in when heavy rain occurs. Without forgetting the safety purpose, space monitoring and height adding (with a ‘transparent partition’ concept) applied to the wall, right beside the stages. Plants display would be one of a ‘transparent partition’ application.

          A void in the center certainly needs railing for the safety purpose. Railing could be a center of attention for its shape and wouldn’t be aesthetic to be applied in this small portion. So then, ‘distraction’ is the key. Slim shape with neutral color is applied in the design. Signage on the wall is designed to be the vocal point, and also the outdoor view itself (both are in the same view direction). I give an exposed construction touch with white paint color on the railing and the canopy to keep them ‘natural’ (not that eye-catching).

          Rain could be so harsh in Indonesia, especially in the rainy season. Bad sanitary plan is the main cause of most flooded water problems. Canopy made from light and semi transparent polycarbonate would encounter the rain and also minimize the mass of the roof top (construction matters). Constructed stages would let the exceeded water to flow well on the ground under the stages to the manholes. Stages are also built with space in every wood panel to avoid flood over it. The furniture absolutely made to be water resist.

          Seating area is the main idea for this spot; even there are other facilities such as grill area and also pool table, gym, meeting room, and restroom inside the indoor building that is next to. To get the chill-out concept, there will be three 3 kinds of seating. First, it’s a 4 seating dining table (coffee shop standard table), purposed for dining and small meeting. Second, it’s a 2 seats sofa combined with armchairs, purposed for more informal activities. Last, it would be the most informal seating, it’s a semi-bed seating to get relax for 2 persons capacity, put on the coziest spots. These 3 kinds of seating would enrich the activity types to its maximum probability.

          Living surroundings is the most valuable atmosphere. We will get a dynamic result for each time goes by. For example, we’ll get a blue ceiling in the morning, white in the noon, red in the evening, and sparkling gold in a dark black background in the night, represented by the sky itself. Other ways to achieve a dynamic atmosphere would be gained from the growing plantations, flying birds, cars, and kinds of sound.

          City view from HOME’s chill-out spot is half blocked by the wall fence and wouldn’t be enough to achieve a good atmosphere from the living surroundings. Plantations are not allowed to grow on a garden medium due to the construction matters. To give some greens, plant in pot is the only way. Plants display is designed vertically attractive here by making an exposed display construction. Water would be the easiest way to make living surroundings. So, I designed a pool, placed next to the wall. A little wave with underwater spotlights in the pool would make great dynamic lighting effects in the night. The sound of the sparkling water itself would represent living surroundings.

          I’m glad to share and I hope this design review would inspire the readers, especially the designers to design the greater one. Not a perfect design, lots of things to be fixed. It means that critics are definitely allowed. I’d love to hear your design critics to evaluate more. Thanks for reading and make sure you’ve got your best chill-out spot... J

 Mario Arthoni

Frase Cinta

Cinta Monyet

“Ketika monyet bertemu kekasih lutung,

dan berpisah untuk kulitan pisang.”

Cinta Segitiga

“Ketika tiga titik bersatu arah,

dan meruncing sudut di antaranya.”

Cinta Terlarang

“Ketika berbeda tak merestu sepakat,

dan kasih masih hidup berjuang.”

Cinta Buta

“Ketika indera tak mengenal warna,

dan awan hitam adalah pelangi.”

Cinta Mati

“Ketika dua adalah harta,

dan sendiri dihabiskan sayang.”

Cinta Abadi

“Ketika selamanya adalah jalan,

dan sisa hiduplah perhentian langkah.”

Cinta Sejati

“Ketika kebenaran adalah alasan,

dan pilihan hati tiada salah.”

Cinta ...

“Ketika hati menulis satu kata,

dan tak bersanding dengan penjelas.”

 

Mario Arthoni

Bali Photographs 2011

Here are some pictures I took in Bali, 2011. Some say that I’m good in taking candid pictures (and very bad in the arranged one -_-;). Actually, I’m not into photography, but sometime I enjoy capturing expression, situation, and other conceptual stuff. Well, I am an amateur, taking photographs for pleasure, not the pro one. Not an idealist photographer (definitely), I use digital editing on the pictures. Nevertheless, I hope you like my works... J

Mario Arthoni

- Just Arrived -

- Wish There Were Crocs for My Size -

- I Left My Stuff for The Escape -

- The Parking Lot -

- Stepping The Sky -

- A Private Playground -

- Captured Narcissism -

- Best Buddy -

- Come and Go Away by The Beach -

- Me, My Girlfriend, and My Buddies -

- Sunset Romance Walk -

- Walking on The Horizon -

- Vision Without Boundaries -

- When The Sun Goes Down -

November Greetings

Hello, November! And, hi... to my -almost forgotten- blog...

It has been a bustling month last October. Yet, a great month where number of design projects would keep me smiles in a super-emotionally-upsetting hot weather in Surabaya. It reached 42⁰ C! I’m still thinking, “Does hot weather make couples enthusiastic to rejoice their marriage?” There were wedding ceremonies in almost every weekend in October. October was a place where I can’t take someone special with while the guys bring up their lovers. A wedding ceremony would always remind me to a person who’s very excited about it. Damn! I still can’t let go my beautiful past... #stupid me#

It’s November 4th now. It is the first day when rain becomes sudden and unfriendly after a long drought season. It might be a sign of change for me. I hope it would be a better change. It should be that! Can’t letting go a past doesn‘t mean that someone can’t move forward to reach a better future. Well, that is what is in my mind. ...?

“My future is my past, a beautiful time -that I believe- called: LOVE. Moving backward, begging for an acceptance can’t be a way to reach it back. Moving forward is the way to show and to prove that I WILL BE THE MAN. –

– I will be the man who takes part in your heart.”

That is my last word, written with my last remaining power, today, at 11 PM. It’s Friday and I’ve just finished my overtime. What an emotional evening... Tomorrow is a big day for a friend of mine and I am going to be his best man. I should prepare myself with enough rest then. See you next week blog, I’m going to spend my weekend with lots of entertainment ahead after these tiring days. I do mean it... J

Mario Arthoni

A Short Trip to Yogyakarta (Craft & Cuisine Review)

September 2011,

Bukan waktu yang lama untuk berlibur, hanya dua malam. Saya luangkan waktu untuk me-refresh kepenatan saya dengan berwisata ke Kota Yogyakarta. Bersama dengan dua sahabat saya, Ms. Zeng dan Raden Welly, beserta camilan wajib selama perjalanan, Jumat pagi, 2 September 2011, kami berangkat. Wisata kali ini adalah wisata hemat. Kami mengendari mobil pribadi dan menikmati akomodasi gratis di rumah tinggal keluarga Raden Welly yang wong Yogya asli. Awalnya kami hanya ingin menikmati wisata kuliner dan menemani Ms. Zeng yang belum pernah menginjakkan kakinya di tanah Yogyakarta. Namun, seiring perjalanan kami menemukan hal-hal menarik yang harus saya share pada para penikmat seni dan kuliner.

Sebelum tiba di Kasultanan Yogyakarta, baiknya jika kita menyapa saudaranya, Kasultanan Surakarta alias Kota Solo. Satu hal yang saya incar dari Kota Solo, nasi liwet! Rumah Makan Adem Ayem, Jl. Slamet Riyadi 342, berada di rute Solo – Yogya dan menurut R. Welly menyediakan nasi liwet yang mantab. Tiba di sana larut malam, well, it was not my lucky day, habiss... But it’s okay, RM Adem Ayem got a great impression from me. Sambutan mereka sangat ramah dan tulus, tidak seperti yang sering saya jumpai di Surabaya untuk restoran sekelasnya. I’m really in love with public places which provide a great hospitality service. Tidak dapat nasi liwet, nasi langgi pun jadi. Enak tenan! So, do not doubt about RM Adem Ayem yang katanya sudah berdiri sejak tahun 1969. Meskipun saya tidak kebagian nasi liwet-nya, ini tetap akan menjadi rekomendasi saya bagi Anda jika mampir ke Kota Solo.

Hari berikutnya, Sabtu, 3 September 2011, Keraton Yogyakarta. A great palace! Namun, agak membosankan bagi saya yang sudah berkali-kali ke sana. Kami ke Keraton untuk menemani Ms. Zeng yang penasaran. But that’s not the point. Seorang pemandu wisata menawarkan diri untuk mengantar kami keliling dalam Keraton dan ia berkata bahwa hari ini adalah hari keberuntungan kami karena bisa melihat sebuah sanggar batik yang tidak setiap hari dibuka untuk umum. I’m sorry, I don’t remember the name yet don’t get the exact address of the studio, but I’ll tell you all what I know. Keluar dari komplek Keraton, saya sarankan Anda mencari informasi di mana letak komplek tempat tinggal para abdi dalem Keraton (orang-orang dengan loyalitas tinggi yang bekerja dalam Keraton dan dihidupi oleh Keraton). Di dalam gang sempit yang diapit oleh dinding putih era kolonial, di sanalah sanggar tersebut berada. Saya tidak menemukan satu hal pun yang menarik hingga saya melihat karya seni di dalamnya. Seni lukis batik!

BBB, Bukan Batik Biasa! Mata saya terpanah pada salah satu karya masterpiece di sana, lukisan ikan ko’i. Terdengar seperti lukisan yang umum, tapi saya dan R. Welly adalah praktisi dan pengamat seni, kami yakin kami bisa menilai karya yang baik. Suatu penggambaran sembilan ekor ikan ko’i dengan gaya kontemporer yang diciptakan dari beberapa potongan pattern batik beraneka warna ke dalam badan seekor ikan. Terlihat seperti seni quilting yang terbuat dari komposisi potongan-potongan kain perca. Namun, ini adalah sebuah kesatuan karya, bukan rakitan. Saya tidak pernah menemuinya dalam retail store di Yogyakarta, Bali, atau tempat lain. Ya, karena itu bukan retail item. Mereka mematok harga untuk setiap karya seni di sana. Namun, ini bukan sekedar tempat jual-beli antar penjual dan pembeli. Karya seni itu berada dalam lingkup konservasi Keraton Yogyakarta. Jika Anda tertarik, Anda akan didata sebagai pemilik. Tidak diperkenankan secara sembarangan memperjual-belikan karya tersebut. Setiap berpindah tangan, karya tersebut akan memiliki data pemilik yang lengkap dan jelas di bawah pantauan Keraton. Anda penasaran?

Next, it would be another delicious stuff, Rumah Makan Mang Engking, Jl. Soragan 13, Bantul, Yogyakarta. Rumah makan ini sudah berdiri cukup lama, tapi saya belum pernah ke sana. Saya disambut oleh sebuah kastil Eropa bergaya arsitektur gothic. Hmm... Tidak asing melihatnya, persis seperti salah satu rumah makan di Surabaya yang baru beroperasi kurang lebih satu tahun # wondering... #. Anyway, It’s about the prawn, udang bakar madu! Itulah menu andalan di sini. RM Mang Engking memiliki banyak cabang, salah satunya di Surabaya. Namun, saya yakin, saya rasakan, udang bakar madu di sini berbeda dengan dengan di Surabaya. Udang galah di sini dibakar dengan proses pembakaran yang lebih baik (jarang saya temukan bagian yang gosong).

Setelah puas memanjakan perut, kami lanjutkan perjalanan kami ke salah satu pusat kerajinan seni di Kota Yogyakarta. This is my favorite place! Kami pergi ke Kasongan, Bantul. Kasongan adalah sentra kerajinan gerabah yang sudah dikenal sejak lama. Sama sekali tidak ada niat untuk membeli apapun dalam perjalanan saya kali ini karena tujuan saya adalah wisata kuliner. Namun, niat itu berubah saat saya melihat banyaknya galeri lukisan dan dekorasi interior lain yang makin menjamur selain workshop gerabah di sana. Tempat ini mengingatkan saya pada Ubud, Bali. Seniman Yogya ternyata mampu bersaing dengan seniman Bali. Dan, yang paling menarik adalah harga yang mereka tawarkan, sudah jelas jauh di bawah harga karya seni di Pulau Bali.

Saya pun mampir ke salah satu galeri dengan lukisan wajah Marilyn Monroe di tepi jalan yang memikat mata saya, Kembang Square. Berbeda dengan galeri-galeri lain, dikelola oleh sepasang young artists, galeri ini menjual karya seni bergaya pop-art. Setelah berkeliling, akhirnya saya putuskan untuk membeli dua buah lukisan cat akrilik yang berukuran 180 cm x 60 cm dan 80 cm x 80 cm. It is a place to bargain. Saya mendapatkan kesepakatan harga akhir sebesar Rp 650.000,- untuk dua buah lukisan tersebut beserta bingkainya. What do you think? I think it’s pretty cheap for those. Well, I’m not a good bargainer actually... Mungkin Anda bisa menawar dengan lebih baik.

Matahari sudah mulai terbenam. Kami berencana menikmati malam minggu di pusat kota. Pernah dengar Mirota? Ya, salah satu pusat belanja kerajinan dan oleh-oleh khas Kota Yogyakarta. Hahaha, kami tidak menghabiskan malam minggu di sana... House of Raminten, Jl. FM. Noto 7, Yogyakarta, adalah salah satu tempat hang out yang nyentrik di pusat kota. So, who is Raminten anyway? Raminten adalah maskot cafe tersebut, seorang wanita berusia 50 tahunan dengan tubuh subur yang menggenakan kebaya dan sanggul khas wanita Jawa Tengah. What’s so interesting about that? Ternyata, beliau adalah seorang pria yang cukup terpandang di Kota Yogyakarta, direktur utama Mirota, Bp. Hamzah, yang dipaksa untuk mengenakan kebaya dan dirias sebagai seorang wanita. “Jangan panggil aku Raminto. Panggil aku Raminten...” That is the tagline!

Hari terakhir, kami mampir ke Bakpia Merlino, Jl. RE. Martadinata 24 B, Yogyakarta, untuk membeli beberapa buah tangan. Bakpia satu ini memang berbeda dengan yang lain. Jika bakpia umumnya berisi kacang hijau, Bakpia Merlino menawarkan rasa kacang hitam, cokelat, keju, susu, cappucino, green tea, dan (yang paling spesial) durian di dalamnya. Special price for special taste. Harga, kuantitas, dan ketersediaan bakpia di sini memang sedikit kurang bersahabat. Namun, cita rasanya tidak akan bisa ditemukan pada bakpia merk lain. Jika Anda tertarik dengan bakpia rasa durian khususnya, pastikan Anda melakukan pemesanan jauh hari sebelumnya atau Anda akan kehabisan.

Tidak lengkap rasanya jika berwisata ke Kota Yogyakarta tanpa mencicipi makanan andalan kota ini, gudeng. Gudeng Yu Djum, Jl. Karangasem CT III / 22, Yogyakarta, menjadi perhentian terakhir wisata kuliner kami. Tempatnya agak terpencil. Namun, jika Anda melewati jalan yang benar, Anda akan menemukan area parkir yang penuh dengan mobil bernomor polisi selain AB. Disambut oleh musik keroncong yang dimainkan dan dilantunkan oleh sekelompok seniman paruh baya, saya merasa berada di era post kemerdekaan. Saya membungkus satu besek gudeng untuk dibawa ke Surabaya. Jangan lupa untuk berpesan pada pelayan bahwa pesanan yang dibungkus akan di bawa ke tempat tujuan yang cukup jauh. Mereka akan memisahkan isi gudeg yang basah dan kering agar tahan lebih lama.

Perjalanan kami berakhir pada hari Minggu, 4 September 2011, pada hari terakhir arus balik. Meskipun perjalanan sedikit macet, puji Tuhan kami dapat kembali di Surabaya dengan selamat. Liburan yang singkat namun tak terlupakan. Anyway, Ms. Zeng berjanji pada saya bahwa ia akan membuat posting cerita perjalanan kami di dalam blog-nya, hanya saja... – dengan ulasan yang lebih ‘vulgar’ atas kegilaan-kegilaan dan ketidak-masuk-akalan yang kami lakukan selama di Kota Yogyakarta. Oh no, can’t read it... Pada akhirnya, saya berharap semoga ulasan seni dan kuliner ini bisa bermanfaat bagi Anda. Thank’s for your time...

Mario Arthoni

Potato Head Beach Club Review

Let’s take a break for a short trip to Bali...

Let me introduce you Potato Head Beach Club, located in Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. Officially opened in December 2010, Potato Head is a great designed coastline club. I was there for the first time in June 2011 while I had my trip to Bali, recommended by my crazy friend, Mr. Kelvin. It is the sharpest place to get chilled out yet to have a crazy party.

Potato Head is a private building that can’t be seen from the main street. Reach the drop-off area, and you’ll find an art installation which is the building itself. An installation of hundreds rustic window shutters! I stopped there for minutes just to admire such cool artwork.

Headed up to the main area, there will be a walkthrough surrounded by the rustic window shutters. A funky bar with touch of vintage furniture is going to be a nice greeting. Five steps ahead you’ll find a vast grassy area with some swimming pools instead of dancing floor. How I love the outdoors! Unifying the shore with the building, Potato Head has done a brilliant layout design.

I was there when the sun set. The guys picked a spot between the grass park and the beachside infinity pool. Best place to enjoy the view. They served the best cocktail for us. For sure, try the tropical drinks!

There won’t be any good chill-out spot without the chill-out mix. Yes, they played very nice chill-out music! Love the chill-out... They got the best sound system that could make it sounds good in the outdoor. I wonder how the party after dark would happen.

Well, this is the fact where a great design could change the shabby Seminyak’s coastline onto the incredibly cool and distinctly un-shabby Potato Head Beach Club. I’m sure I will go there for my next trip to Bali. A pretty expensive spot to hang out, but it is worth for. So, don’t miss it guys...

Mario Arthoni