I met Jan Madera in 2012 when I started working at a Leipzig-based agency. The agency was formed from several small local advertising agencies that wanted to create a national full-service agency. I liked the idea behind it, but it lacked the right mindset in the management. But that’s a different story.
Every time you change employers—and trust me, I did that a lot—you end up taking some people with you as friends. I even met my wife at that job 😁, and I am truly grateful for that. Then there’s Jan, who worked as a graphic designer and art director. When I get to know people, I like to talk about music. I want to know what kind of music other people are listening to. Sometimes I discover artists and styles I’ve never heard of before. And sometimes, we share the same taste, which gives us even more to talk about. I spent hours talking about music with Jan, and still today, I really enjoy those conversations with him.
Jan Madera has one of the finest tastes in electronic music, and I’m always happy when he releases a new mix. It can be House, Techno, Drum & Bass, Ambient, or Electronica. His mix series, “Alternative Elevator Music,” has grown to an impressive 20 mixes over the last few years, and I’ve been a fan since the first one. To me, it’s the perfect music to listen to while I need to work with concentration and focus. I’m always surprised by how quickly an hour can fly by.
Jan has such a good sense for the mood of a track and the transitions it needs to create a tense and dynamic mix. Like Bob Ross, he seems to create happy little accidents that result in timeless masterpieces. I like most of the mixes Jan makes, but this series undoubtedly captivates me the most. And besides his understanding and knowledge of music, Jan is truly a good guy.
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