Depuis qu’il est devenu mordu de techno il y a une vingtaine d’années, Sammy Goossens aka Sierra Sam a suivi l’impulsion constante du kick. Commençant en tant qu’orga dans sa ville natale de Liège, il n’a pas fallu longtemps avant qu’il n’entre en studio et se plonge dans l’art d’utiliser les boîtes à rythmes, synthétiseurs et effets en tout genre. Au sein de 6th Sense Approach, un collectif de djs et producteurs lié d’amitié et partageant un amour certain pour la techno de Détroit, il a commencé à sortir des disques sur le label belge Reloaded peu de temps après.
Ses titres en solo attirent l’attention de la légendaire écurie R&S Records, qui le signe sur son sous label Generations en 1997 – la B-side mettant à l’honneur un remix de James Pennington aka Suburban Knight, pilier d’Underground Resistance. Il commence ensuite à travailler avec lui sur un album pour Peacefrog intitulé My Sol Dark Direction, ainsi que divers autres singles et remixes. Il continue en même temps de sortir des disques sur des labels comme Pure Plastic, Teknotika, Rotation, Trapez Limited et Müller Records.
Sa frustration de ne pas être crédité pour son travail sur « My Sol Direction Dark » engendre la création de Toys For Boys avec Marcus Vector. C’est là qu’il lance son alter ego Sierra Sam (ainsi que D.I.Y. avec Vector). En 2006, il déménage à Berlin où il commence à travailler en tant que manager de Contexterrior et Tuning Spork, labels de Jay Haze sur lesquels il finira par signer. En 2009, il co-produit « Black Pearl », premier album de Bloody Mary pour Contexterrior. Ses signatures sur Dirt Crew, Supplement Facts, Serialism, Upon You, ou Souvenir l’amèneront à faire des lives dans certains des clubs les plus réputés au monde. Lorsqu’il ne voyage pas, il s’occupe de Souvenir (label de Tiefschwarz), travaille sur des nouveaux morceaux, ou traque ses boîtes à rythmes et synthétiseurs analogiques favoris.
Il ouvrira la série des compilations Best’s Friends (sous label de l’agence/label berlinoise Best Works) avec une compil de 32 morceaux qui fera office de rétrospective sur sa carrière, ses débuts avec Suburban Knight et ses collaborations récentes avec dOP, Kink, Marcus Vector, Fuckpony etc..
Le track idéal pour détruire un dancefloor ? Best track to slaughter a dancefloor?
Pascal Hetzel is a young talent from Berlin, he did a remix for KiNK and myself on Upon.You and the response was so good that the label asked for some more music. He came with this killer record which is charted by a lot of big names.
Le track idéal en after ? Best track for an after party?
I met Ricardo some 15 years ago when we were playing the same party in Zurich, since then I love his music. This is for me one of his best tracks. Perfect for the early hours.
Le track idéal pour commencer un set ? Best track to start a set?
We did this track ages ago together with James Pennington. It was at the time we were touring together as Suburban Knight. I wish I remember how we did some of the sounds. I think it has a cool synth and pad loop to start a set (SH101 / Juno 01)
Le track idéal pour avoir le smile ? Best track to make people smile?
I really like Eddie and I always loved this track. I could have chosen a lot of tracks that put me in a good mood but this one has something special to me. I think the lyrics are funny in their own way and Eddie is a very very special and cool person.
Le track idéal pour se délecter d’un 18 ans d’age dans un fauteuil au coin du feu ? Best track with an 18 year old wine sitting in a rocking chair next to the fireplace?
I am a big fan of Massive Attack , probably saw them live 5 or 6 times. For me this is the perfect track for a relaxing evening.
Le track idéal pour replonger en enfance ? Best track to dive back into childhood?
When I was a kid, Eurovision was an event I was always watching. There were no internet, mobile phones and not so many channels (I think we only had 2 or 3 national at the time). The electronic band Telex lost Eurovision when I was a kid. I was already intrigued by synthesizers and drum machines. I remember I had the 7 inch back in the days. Belgium One Point (their final score if I remember). Of course Telex went to the Eurovision contest as a joke (and Michel Moers sings so out of tune, it is fantastic).
Le track idéal pour te réveiller ? Best track to wake you up?
Sal Principato and his band Liquid Liquid, had the chance to see them in Detroit Festival some 10 years ago , was the bomb (and Sal is a funny and so nice guy).
Le track idéal à n’importe quelle heure ? Best track at any time?
This track by my more than best friend Quenum is a track which is good any any moment. I love every single millisecond of it, it really gives me the thrills and I could never get enough of it. It is released on Serialism, the label of my brozafromanozamoza Cesare Marchese. The video has been made by False Manners (aka Federica Marchese and Fernanda Mattos Marchese) : simply beautiful!!
Le track idéal pour caractériser tes productions ? Best track to characterize your productions?
I am really happy with this one , we did it with Marcus Vector a few years ago in his Brussels studio . I am really influenced by Detroit techno and electro (obviously) and this song really represents what I like.
Le track idéal pour résumer tes inspirations musicales ? Best track to summarize your musical inspirations?
I could have mentioned any track by Carl Craig. I always say I don’t believe in god but I believe in Carl Craig.
he is and has been a permanent inspiration for me, forever my number one.
