Monkey Safari

Germany’s Monkey Safari will earn their five­time tour badge in 2016, which at the very least should warrant them priority at customs. Unlike their previous four visits, however, number five will be in our summer – and that is something that has the lads pretty chuffed as they get in tip­top shape for their appearance at Rainbow Serpent Festival. “If you have 30­degrees, water, beach, a fat sound system and nice people, then you’re in heaven.”
Hailing from Halle, a city at the centre of the Central German Metropolitan Region, Monkey Safari is the brotherly duo of Sven Fröhlich and Lars Rühlemann. Also known as the ‘Diva in Gray’, the city’s electronic music scene has boomed in recent years, and the efforts of Sven and Lars should be considered on this point. No longer are artists heading to Berlin, which saw its own electronic music scene stocks rise around the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall and through institutions like the Tresor nightclub (founded in 1991), a relation of the pioneering club Ufo. Much is owed to the Love Parade, too, which originated in Berlin in 1989 and saw around 150 people take to the streets – a number that made a staggering jump to one million people by 1997. An off­shoot would also take place in Sydney in 1997. (The festival was disbanded in 2010, following the death of 21 people.)
For the brothers, doing their bit to draw attention to Halle’s music scene occurred in 2009 when they opened the doors to the Charles Bronson club, a name inspired by their grandpa, a big fan of the late actor of the club’s name. They had started Monkey Safari the previous year, after playing various styles of music for a few years before that. A gamble indeed, but as they say, nothing in this world worth having comes easy. “It’s a love­hate relationship. It’s not the easiest thing creating club nights every weekend with the intention to make every night a special one. But in general we love the whole club thing – sound, artists, the social aspects, creating a platform for new ideas and creative people.” They are quick to point out, however, that it is going “perfect”.
And to see their baby grow has, unsurprisingly, instilled great pride. “It was and it is a place where people come together. It’s a permanent dialogue about music and lifestyle. So from the early beginnings we tried to play there as often as we could. It was really important for us, as we gained a lot of experience that we can use today.”
That experience will be on full display when they undertake the more than familiar process of boarding a plane, before making their way to the Rainbow Serpent Festival, the “international music, arts and lifestyle” festival that made its debut in 1998 – a decade before the brothers started doing the Monkey Safari thing. Not too long ago they were in Abu Dhabi, though when we contacted them for an interview they were back at home and in the studio. They’ll be running on a tight schedule when they make their way out here but hope to “have enough time for the best coffee and the best cider in the world. We love ‘sightseeing’ in bars as opposed to visiting famous buildings”.
When the Rainbow Serpent Festival made its debut, the flyer read “24 hour trance outdoor dance festival”. The likes of DJ Mark Allen, Quirk (live), Pied Piper, Baldy and Nirav were in attendance, with around 1000 people enjoying what was a rain­filled night. Today, it stretches four days and extends its celebration of electronic music to one of dance, performance, art, nature, community and harmony. As with the evolution of Rainbow Serpent, for Sven and Lars it has been a long and winding road. Lars was once obsessed with hip hop, while Sven had a taste for UK big beat. Combining their superpowers, the brothers conceived Electric Ballroom, which enabled indie/alternative to play out in one room, with electronic sounds next door.
With the formation of Monkey Safari came their What!What! Records imprint, and later Mambo Records, which have since been retired in order to focus on new imprint, Hommage. With a finger in many pies, it would be easy to lose focus. A common goal, however, keeps the brothers in steady hands. “Independence is one of the most important things in our lives. We work hard in order to be able to do what we want and what we like. For example, we’re able to release the music we like on our label and in the club we can have parties you can’t have in many other clubs in the world.”
The dedication the brothers have shown to keeping their craft pure means Rainbow Serpent revellers will be treated to a performance that goes beyond a pay cheque, as well as one shaped through many years of performing. “I believe it’s a mix between experience, spirit and the motivation to work with the crowd to make every party special,” we’re told when we ask how they have come to know their crowds so intuitively. “It ultimately comes down to your personality and who you are, whether you try something special or you just do your job.”
Although doing something different appears to be their job, one thing has remained the same from day one – their mission statement. Signing off from their Facebook profile it proudly reads, “the mandate remains the same: sending sunny vibes to make even the darkest dance floors smile”.
The Rainbow Serpent Festival takes place at Lexton from January 22 through January 25. Limited tickets remain, with full information available through rainbowserpent.net.
Written by Alexander Lightfoot
When & Where: Rainbow Serpent Festival, Lexton – January 22-25