Being in the electronic scene for over 20 years seems like it would take a toll after a while, but German house DJ/producer Moguai showed us quite the contrary during our exclusive interview before his set at Webster Hall last weekend.  The high energy performer spoke to us about his opinion on millennial producers, his early days during the 90’s German rave scene, and his most recent collaboration with the Benni Benassi.

DB: You're latest tracks, "The Future," and "Gangsta," feature styles that are a lot harder than your previous work, can your fans expect to hear more of this in the future?

Moguai: Yes, because right now I'm working on an older track, I think I made 8 or 9 years ago. I don't want to mention the name right now, but it's [the] kind of style where people really connect with me. So yeah it will come out, I'm not sure if it will come out this year but I [will] do more [music] in this direction. But I do both, [styles of music] I'm inspired by everything. Sometimes it's more melodic some times it rougher, it's always changing, but in a good way.

DB: What was with the Goodfella's sample on Gangsta? Any reason in particular why you chose it?

Moguai: It is in particular, there's definitely reason. When I started DJing I bought a track record vinyl at the time, I started out with vinyl and the name of the record was Gangsta Tracks and they had on this record, the Goodfellas sample and a good friend of mine he said to me ages ago, hey we have to use this sample for making a record and I always had in mind, for about 15 years. And I tried to fit it in different songs, but I couldn't find where it belonged and then I made this bass line track and I put the vocal in and I said "hmm that's cool, but it's also cool to do it with another guy [musician]" and to me it sounded like very Benny Benassi, because I've known the guy for ages.

DB: I was just going to ask, you and Benassi are veterans in the scene, what's it like collaborating with someone who has much experience as you? Do you find it more challenging to collaborate because you both know exactly what you want to do?

Moguai: No the best thing is that he knew me from my very first big record "U know Y" and I knew him from the "Satisfaction" and we met each other at Ultra in miami, it was 2001, so a long time ago. From there we met on tour so we became friends and it was just a question of time [when]. And then I said, "wow this fits both of us," he edited the synths, breaks and in the end we had a finished record. It took a while to finish, but we're all very happy with it

DB: Last January was your first show at Webster Hall, how was the show? Are you expecting the same energy tonight?

Moguai: Webster Hall, is one of my favorite venues, I'm telling you. Worldwide. I don't want to say just in America, it's really one of my favorite venues. It's such a special place and [their] people are really into the music. They're here for a really good time and they celebrate like hell, [which is] exactly how it should be, full on.

DB: Growing up in Germany during the 1990's rave scene must have been wild. How do you think experiencing this sets you apart from other artists?

Moguai: The good thing is [that] I started with electronic music in Germany from the very beginning, but not when Kraftwerk started because that was almost 20 years before. But I grew up in the DJ scene with the first Love Parade [in 1989] with the first big raves from Germany.

DB: So you were  really in there huh?

Moguai: Yeah totally, I was new comer.

DB:Weren't you really into punk back then?

Moguai: Yeah and from there, from punk, I switched to electronic music because I found the same energy and that sound. That's why I switched to that and I said, "okay it has the same anarchy, the same revolution like in punk" and then it blew up and then it became bigger in America, there were so many underground parties and raves.

DB: Who do think has been the most influential musician you've worked with?

Moguai: I would say Brian Higgins, he's not really well known but he's a top 3 UK pop producer he did Cher, he also did Sugar Babes, which we produced together and I learned a lot from him. The most important thing [that I learned] is it's all about the music, sure the about the marketing and everything, but the music has to be great, [it doesn't matter] if you do a full on underground track, deep house, minimal, or if you do a pop record. He's not well known but i did learn a lot from Brian.

DB: What did you listen to today?

Moguai: I watched the movie Chef! I don't know it if you've heard of it, but I bought the soundtrack! It's very latino and reggae sound which I thought sounded cool.

DB: Are there any up and coming artists that you think have a lot of potential that you would like to collaborate with?

Moguai: From the newer generation? No not really. There isn't anyone who really sticks out to me. It's all the same they're all doing the same, they all sound the same and it's kind of sad and boring for me. I would love to do another collaboration with Fatboy Slim. We did one, "Push the Tempo" and I would love to another one with him because it's not a question of age it doesn't matter if he's 50 or if he's 20, coming back to the point, it's all about the music.

DB: Are there any other styles in EDM that's you've wanted to try out?

Moguai: I think I've tried so many different styles, production wise and DJ wise that I don't want to say I'll go here I'll go there.  I love how in america the people don't care, most of them don't care, underground or overground they're more like, "okay does it kick me or entertain me or not" it could be reggae track it could be deep house track but it could also be a hard style track, so I'm very open to all kinds of music.

Soon after the interview ended, Moguai played an epic 2 hour set in Webster Hall's Grand Ballroom featuring a wide variety of songs that had the crowd moving the entire night. He played a collection of some of his most recent collaborations, tied in the deeper cuts and brought it all back with, "Mammoth," which had the audience straight up losing their minds. Overall I'd say Mogaui is a very honest and humble musician, especially for someone who's experienced a roller coaster of a ride throughout the rise and fall of EDM.