Shantel is a DJ and producer best known for contributing to the soundtrack of the film “Borat”. He plays live with the Bucovina Club Orkestar at Koko in Camden, London NW1, on 20 February. Visit www.bucovina.de for more information.
1 Does art make a difference?
Art makes a difference in detail. Art may be seen just like an impulse, or a stone thrown into water – it makes circles, slowly, steadily.
2 Should politics and art mix?
No way. But art may be a political statement or seen as such.
3 Is your work for the many or for the few?
I want to touch the (few?) dedicated people in the first place. From there, with the help of word of mouth, I hope this will generate the interest of many more people.
4 If you were world leader, what would be your first law?
I don’t believe in world leaders – they are way too dangerous. (Germany may serve as a bad example for world leadership!)
5 Who would be your top advisers?
Albert Einstein, Charlie Chaplin and Serge Gainsbourg.
6 What, if anything, would you censor?
I am not at all comfortable with censorship. But I do not like statements that are racist or against humanity, whether they come from political or from religious groups.
7 If you had to banish one public figure, who would it be?
The world is full of political criminals. Banishing one isn’t the solution – there are too many waiting for their turn.
8 What are the rules that you live by?
Higher awareness and consciousness, or the more philosophical term: kritisches Bewußtsein (“critical awareness”). Tolerance, cosmic political thinking and acting, living a certain bohemian lifestyle, providing good energy to the people surrounding me.
9 Do you love your country?
Particular things that I love in my country are also to be found in others. I am a child of continental Europe. Globalisation has had a very positive effect on me, since – while travelling – I am constantly discovering new places with which I fall in love.
10 Are we all doomed?
We are gifted, not doomed. We should use our intelligence and skills to bring brightness to the world. While there’s life, there’s hope. Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt . . . hope dies last.
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