Rene Pawlowitz aka Shed knows a groove better than most, the German producer has honed his art to a science.

Shedding the Past his most recent album on Ostgut Ton received great reviews. Some people claimed he was the natural heir to the Bellville Three come to claim his throne, but Shed has always tried to distance himself from Detroit, at least as an influence, instead citing gabba and breakbeat as the formative music he listened to, and muddying the waters for journalists looking for an easy life. Shed was born in the old East Germany in 1975 and became a regular figure at the Love Parade in the early 90s. He describes himself as a techno-kid through and through. And he very kindly answered a few questions for us.

We interviewed Marcel Dettmann last month. We asked him what it was like to be a resident in Berghain. He said it was incredible. What’s it like for you?

It is simply the best techno club. That is all.

Your concept of shedding the past is that based on first being familiar with the past, then going in a completely different direction to it?

Shedding the past means simply progress. I don't care about any genres like Detroit or whatever. I try to keep it interesting for me.

What’s your reaction to Shedding the Past now that it’s been released and reviewed in hundreds of publications?

I don't think about it anymore. I shed the past... you know?

When did you start doing your soundscape works like Ostrich Mountain Square? Is that in preparation for a time when you won’t be interested in clubs anymore?

There is more than a four to the floor beat and I'm not only focused on club tracks. I would be a fool to ignore all other kinds of music.

Do you ever see a time when those tracks might get played in a venue like Berghain?

Of course. Marcel Dettmann is my brother in crime. He is testing all of my tracks and I stand on the floor checking all the effects.

We have a weekly segment from a 66-year-old DJ. Could you see yourself playing at that age?

No.

The story goes that disillusioned with dance music you didn’t buy a record from 1998 to 2002. What was that you were trying to avoid and what made you come back?

I was bored and I wanted to produce my own music.

On your website, the press section states that there’s not that much to say about Shed. Are you that modest?

I was bored of writing things about myself. But it’s changed now.

Shed plays the Twisted Pepper on November 22. Click here for more details.