Patrick Bodmer and Phillip Jung met as 15-year-olds on a tennis court. Some years later they founded M.A.N.D.Y., which today is one of the most successful electro acts from Berlin. More about M.A.N.D.Y. in an interview after the click.
Please introduce yourself: where did you grow up and where did you live?
We both grew up in Saarbrücken and lived there until we got our high school exams. But Patrick is a Swizz citizen, an entirely serious boy.
Why did you come to Berlin?
I used to live in Montreux, Tenerifa, Frankfurt and Cologne. Patrick studied in Frankfurt. If you do this kind of music, Berlin was and still is a very interesting and good place to be. There were and are almost no alternatives, especially if you at the beginning of your career and if you are looking for an affordable city that is worth living.
What are your favorite places in Berlin?
Right now I am sitting in the SoHo House in Mitte and I am watching the sun go down. If I am in Berlin, I also live here party. We both think, Berlin needed that kind of place. A little bit posh, good food, great terrace, good service. It is really nice, not always, but sometimes.
In addition we think our new office at Kastanienallee is really great, it is located right next to the Prater Biergarten.
Tiergarten is always great, Hasenheide, too, and there are some lakes outside of Berlin that are unbelievable beautiful and clean.
What do you like best in being a musician, and what do you don’t like about it?
+ To be at new places and to meet new people
– To come to the point where you finally don’t enjoy travelling anymore.
How did the night life change in the past 10 years?
Well, there are still some damn good parties out there. Maybe a little too many promoters and clubs. That doesn’t make it easier for the audience to decide. Especially now, in the state of the crisis, where people really consider where to go. But it’s going to be alright.
What was the most exotic place you performed at?
I think there are too many to mention. There is this one club at Costa Brava by Salvador Dali. It is really crazy. Then there are villa parties that blow you away and where you can your intimate sound, and right in front of you the strangest things happen. And of course there a lot of great beach parties, or parties or in the mountains etc. pp.
Which of your performances will you never forget?
Probably our Love Parade performance. You just very rarely play in front of so many people. To feel the energy of 500 000 people is scary and awesome at the same time.
What are your plans for the future?
To prepare our label for the future. Things are changing very quickly, so it is important to have a good standing. It takes a lot of time, but it’s also fun.
To record in the studio more often.
To enjoy out free time more.
And I probably will move back to NYC in autumn.
What does happiness mean to you?
To have time for our friends and to be able to reflect on our life, which is a little bit crazy; to be at beautiful places and to enjoy new experiences; to make great music and to have a walk in the nature.
M.A.N.D.Y.’s next performance in Berlin is on 07 August at Watergate.
