Satellite Voices

Munich

Community: Amir Sufi

February 3

A local spotlight on the self-styled Amos Imperator of Pop!

• Text by Christine Bierhals

Amir Sufi, Amos The Imperator of Pop, is one of the most incredible allround talents Munich has. He is part of the electronic duo Columbus and started his own Label Mayolove Music and has a little time for us to chat!

Satellite Voices: What means music to you and when did you dived in it?
Amos: I got in touch with music very early, starting to play the piano at the age of five. My father had been pretty demanding. He obviously wanted to compensate for himself not being given the chance to learn an instrument when he was young. I‘m forever thankful for that. It gave me the key to the greatest passion I got and the source of most of my energy.

SV: Do you remember your first LP or tape?
Amos: Yes, it was a cassette of Michael Jackson‘s "Thriller". It was back in 1982 when we were on holiday in the States when I got in touch with it rather randomly. Actually, I sent my mother to bring me a tape of Shakin‘ Stevens that I was totally into – not knowing by then that he was no more than an Elvis rip-off (for I didn‘t know Elvis).

SV: Who was or is the most important inspiration in your live as a musician and producer?
Amos: Like most people I went through several stages in my life, corresponding with as many different styles of music as inspirational sources. I assume, the classic education in my early childhood was an allround foundation. According to my memory I also developed my lasting affinity to pop music by that time, listening to Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan and so on. In puberty I was totally consumed by punk rock, which I have been actively practising until today with my band TRASHKIDS. Nowadays I‘m not thinking or practising in categories. I‘m involved in various projects and am inspired by different kinds of music. There are no favourite bands or role models anymore.

SV: Your Label Mayolove Music was founded in 2011, what was the final decision to host your own label?
Amos: I started realising that I had always been doing a great part of the label job myself. So why not become self-dependent and help other artists with my experience? I‘m glad to have taken that step.

SV: How many artists are listed under the Label Mayolove Music and how do you look for new artists?
Amos: Right now it‘s four artists and groups that have been released or will be released soon. We don‘t select according to a specific style or genre. We are rather interested in hosting a wide range of musical output.

SV: Now to the artist Amos. What will your upcoming album "Call me Amos" be about?
Amos: It will generally be about love in all its facets. Entertaining, shocking, touching with a little dose of disco. In fact, I still think about calling it "Love". Soundwise it will refer to the more pop-driven Motown (Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder) and Jackson productions of the 70s. 

SV: After all, it seems you have more than 24 hours a day. So what do you do in your free time? Any plans for the future?
Amos: Just recently, there happened to be a significant upgrade in my private life. Who I hopefully will have the pleasure to spend a lot of time with in the future.