Leipzig-based DJ and producer Moritz Paul aka Leibniz debuted with Quake, his most recent EP, on Molten Moods last month. Leibniz matches well with the Munich-based label, which gained considerable attention with releases by David Goldberg, Skee Mask, Jonas Friedlich, and label-head Jonas Yamer among others. Both Leibniz and Molton Moods are characterized by exploring and trespassing musical borders and by relying on a sometimes weird, but always carefully developed visual presentation.

A couple of days after Quake’s release, Paul talked about Molten Moods, his process, and some favorites with Kevin Goonewardena for zweikommasieben.

“I met Jonas Yamer at a Mother’s Finest party in Berlin some years ago and we became friends later on,” says Paul remembering his first encounter with Molten Moods. “Jonas asked for tracks from time to time. It took a bit, but I always wanted to do it. I like to know the people behind a label personally. And for me the most interesting labels are those where people and influences from a specific period are inextricably linked to each other, creating something new in between.” And the producer adds: “Working with record labels that are searching the web for artist to collaborate with would be far from satisfying for me.”

Describing himself as a musician, Paul both appreciates curating a night as a DJ as well as composing music himself. “I like the fact that DJing is approachable for everybody. Everybody can do it, you only need two players and a mixer. That’s it. But as a DJ, in some way, you are limited by the equipment you have to work with.” As a producer Paul gets excited about the freedom he has: “The work of a composer is only limited by the way he chooses to work. I like it to explore what’s possible—and to move boundaries at last.”

His new EP is not by chance named Quake, Paul explains: “As a child I was kind of addicted to the game Quake III Arena. That shooter game is incredibly fast and brutal and for me it fits club music, somehow.” Even more influential than computer games is UK club music for Leibniz’ productions. What about favorites in this realm? “In terms of skills and selection, DJ EZ is definitely my favorite musician from the UK,” he says about the garage-veteran. And he also has a clear favorite in the recent wave of German rap: “Currently, Haiyti is the most interesting artist in my eyes.”

We are excited to give away a free copy of Leibniz’ Quake EP. Just fill in the form below until May 31st, 2019: