Hi & Säberhagen are an Edinburgh duo laying down roots in all the right places, with a debut on Huntleys + Palmers last year, a follow-up for Anthony Naples’ Proibito this year alongside offerings for compilations by Permanent Vacation and Lionoil. Their brand of house sounds like its manufactured from the ailing steelworks of the north, possessing a hardy exterior with a soft underbelly of melodious inflections and samples. This softer side is something they’ve chosen to explore for their Spotlight mix, alongside answering a few questions about masked Boiler Rooms, umlauts and their hometown.
First, our usual ice-breaker. What’s your first musical memory?
Sab: I was maybe five or six, sitting in front of the family stereo with a really shite pair of headphones plugged in, where you had to have the volume right up, listening to ‘Heal The World’ by Michael Jackson. I accidentally knocked the headphone jack out and it came blaring max volume through speakers. I then ran and cried to my Ma to make it stop.
You opted to make your Boiler Room debut earlier this year, wearing masks (much to the anxiety of your manager we hear!). What are some of the strangest Boiler Room moments you’ve witnessed?
Sab: There was a laddy who kept leering over us as we played which was odd – other than that… There’s a lad out his mind during the Oskar Offermann & Edward Boiler Room. An absolute treat for the eyes and ears that one.
Hi: That one girl who put her hand on the record while it was playing. Melter.
10 pages into a Google search and we still couldn’t find out what Saberhägen means. Could you put us out of our misery?
Sab: There can be only one!
Apart from Saberhägen, what’s your favourite word with an umlaut in and why?
Hi: Die Vögel, I guess cause they put out good records and translates to “the birds”.
What was the last big risk or experiment in the studio that paid off?
Sab: Finding two office chairs on the street and adding them to the set-up.
What’s been your favourite new discovery of 2016?
Sab: Falafel and Gogglebox.
What was the last highbrow conversation you had together about?
Hi: Probably our love for absurdist, lo-fi comedy. I just got a hat from some dudes in California who put up 2min vids of dark sketches always based in swimming pools or some other kind of water theme.
Sab: Shouts out 2 Wet Crew.
Now for some questions about your locality…Where’s your favourite place to buy records in Edinburgh?
Sab: Of course Underground Solu’shn, then the charity shops around Edinburgh can surprise you with a few gems. Unfortunately never made it The Living Mountain while it was open but I hear it was fantastic.
What are some of your favourite parties to go to?
Sab: Better say Juice at Sneaky Pete’s so Kam doesn’t give me a slap, but also our boy Telfort runs a great night there called Telfort’s Good Place, which has been incredible every time. Big Marinello runs a great party called Teesh (expect the best warm-ups followed by equally great guests/residents). Headset and Notion have thus far been great parties to attend and be lucky enough to play at! Can’t forget the infamous Lezure boys (young pups determined to give me liver damage). Rhythm Machine has been pretty special, looking forward to their next location. Shouts out also to the Glasgow beauts Stereotone, Huntleys + Palmers, Thunder Disco Club and Brain Dancing.
What new / young talent should we be keeping an eye on at the moment?
Sab: Got to be the Lezure boys again – all the guys bring something different to the table and are without a doubt some of the best DJs kicking about Edinburgh at the minute. A girl shat herself at their first party it was that good.
Could you tell us about the mix you’ve made for us?
Sab: Recorded in our scaffy wee studio (living room) – no real idea behind it but just wanted to make something a bit different from the last few mixes we’ve recorded that have been a bit darker.
What’s coming up on the horizon we should look out for?
Sab: Got an exciting wee London debut very much on the horizon this weekend (24/09/16) at The Pickle Factory for the lovely New Business team. Plus more records finally on their way. Promise.
Hi & Saberhagen play at New Business with Jack Pattern, DJ Ellie and Crucial and Fresh this Saturday 24th September at The Pickle Factory. Click here for info and tickets
