Life is sweet when you’re summoned by Madonna to remix the lead single off Her Majesty’s new album, Hard Candy due out at the end of the month. The sizzling track, 4 Minutes, which features Justin Timberlake on vocals, has been re-worked by 2000 Grammy Remixer of the Year, Peter Rauhofer.
“I’ve been remixing Madonna for the last ten years so at this point we work well enough together that she trusts my judgment,” says Rauhofer when I inquire as to who calls the shots in the studio.
Madonna, however, is but one of many A-listers the remixer, producer, DJ and graphic designer has lent his magic touch to: Mariah Carey (We Belong Together); Rihana (Don’t Stop The Music); Christina Aguilera (Beautiful); Depeche Mode (Suffer Well); Beyoncé (Upgrade U); Nelly Furtado (Say It Right, Maneater); and Justin Timberlake (Sexy Back) are but a few of the 200 artists he’s remixed — more than 50 of which have topped the dance charts.
“Record companies ask me every day to remix their artists, but I’m very selective. Nine out of ten times I don’t even have time in my schedule to do (it) even if I wanted to,” admits Rauhofer. When he does have time, though, the spin master says the remix is already crafted in his head before a keyboard is touched. “If I’m not feeling it then I won’t remix it,” he adds.
Any avid club-goer, however, will know that Rauhofer is more than a remixer. The Rauhofer name is a brand weighted in gold — a surefire crowd drawer for any event or club like Montreal’s huge Bal en Blanc (White Party) and Toronto’s Guvernment. “I hate it as much as I love it,” confesses Rauhofer when asked about the cult-like worship he commands from the DJ booth.
Still, it’s a life worth marveling at considering he started out as a record store clerk in Vienna, Austria before becoming an A&R rep for GIG-BMG Records.
Then deejaying took over his life. His first global hit, Let Me Be Your Underwear under the moniker Club 69 sparked his newfound calling. Rauhofer transitioned from Vienna to New York in 1995, and from Club 69 he went on to form Star 69 (*69) Records four years later. Frankie Goes To Hollywood and a string of renown DJs like Offer Nissim and Hector Fonseca are linked to the indie label, which has garnered a hefty share of No. 1 Billboard dance hits.
“You can never achieve your dreams without hard work, patience and passion for your craft,” surmises Rauhofer.
“Be persistent and love what you are doing.”
Rauhofer makes his debut at Fly Nightclub this Saturday (April 5). He is also working on his next “I Love …” CD compilation series. When asked about his age, Rauhofer, in true Madonna fashion, states: “Legends don’t age.”
For more juice, log onto www.peterrauhofer.com or www.star69records.com.
