When 6 different characters join up, then this could mean either total chaos or a creative mix that shows sparkling energy. Just like Don Cali- Itchy- Larsito- Mr Reedoo- Johnny Strange- DJ Chino, better known as
Culcha Candela.

With their music they make us feel good and bring us into a party mood. With hits such as Hamma, Schöne neue Welt, Eiskalt they catapulated themselves into the league of one of the most popular bands from Germany. We had the pleasure of asking a few questions to Itchy and Chino, and I am happy that they also answered my questions that they have heard a million of times before….

Hello, I hope you are all well and I am happy that we are able to ask you a few questions:) So, let´s start with the first question. Are you all in Berlin at the moment? You all have your centre of life in Berlin, right? But probably you are out and about all the time..
Itchy: Yes, we are all true „Berliners“, even though in the last 12 months our centre of life has been on the road. We all live in Berlin and I cannot imagine that this will change in the next few years. But you never know!

You have probably answered this question quite often already, but I didn´t really find any proper information about how you all met and got together as a band?
Chino: Yes, you are right, this is in the top 5 of the most asked questions and therefore not that much fun anymore… Three of us have founded the band in 2001, but our official jubilee we are celebrating each year on the 7.7. It is quite simple: We wanted a mix of different directions that we like to listen to such as Latin, Reggae und Hip Hop. In our opinion that kind of music didn´t exist at that time. At the beginning when chosing members for the band I think we were going more for sympathy rather than talent (laughs). I already knew Itchy from school, Reedoo and Johnny we knew from the Reggae scene.

What´s the meaning of Culcha Candela?
Itchy: Also this is a question on toooop of the question hit parade! It means: „Hot culture“. „Culcha“ is English, „Candela“ is Spanish. Of course this is just a phantasy term, but it sounds great, doesn´t it?

With 6 so different people, – how is it to work together? Is it difficult at times or does the mutual understanding outweigh?
Chino:  Hey, what a question after 8 years of band history?? In all honesty: It gets better with time. Somehow we become more easygoing when dealing with each other.

How is the work being shared? Who does the lyrics and who writes the melodies?
Itchy: Everyone does something. We don´t have a communistically unity system and we don´t all write on the same song at the same time. Most of the time there is 2 or 3 people working together to advance a song. In most cases there is also Don Krutscho, our highly gifted one-man orchester with whom we produce almost all the songs. There are the melody fetishists, who are able to sing better and the lyric fanatics. I am in the middle of that, but can not do anything really good, besides thinking things through to the end, to carry something through and to complete.

“We enjoy all our songs, but most of it the ones that are successful, therefore the songs that make the people celebrate and party the most, because if our fans party with us that is by far the greatest.”

What is your favourite track out of all your albums so far and why?
Chino: Oooohhh.. hmmm… Well, one has to say that „Hamma!“ ment a major turning point in our career, – a positive one of course. The other singles are great too, I think that we enjoy all the songs, but most of it the ones that are successful, therefore the songs that make the people celebrate and party the most, because if our fans party with us that is by far the greatest.

What was your funniest experience together so far?
Itchy: Everything so far has been really fun. We were able to do so many great things! In particular the last 12 months have been wicked. But it would go beyond the scope….

Besides Culcha Candela, are you working on your own projects too?
Chino: What does „your own“ mean?? CC is our vested baby. It is the mother ship and our priority. Itchy and myself are also Djing as a soundsystem, with the suitable name „Itchino Sound“. We also want to make a clubbing sounding track…. let´s see. Furthermore some of us write and produce for other bands as well. We definitely want to do that more often. On the 22.10 our Best Of „Culcha Candela – Das Beste“ is going to be released and next summer a new album will be released too. Stagnation doesn´t exist.

What music are you listening to?
Itchy: That goes beyond the scope. We are sooo many people… what we don´t listen to is our own music; because we hear it so often after the production, that in between it is not necessary anymore.

Who or what inspires you, musically speaking and also in your private lives?
Itchy: Our parents, families and friends inspire us.. life and of course woman are a great source of inspiration. We listen to a lot of music. That is the main thing anyway: You have to consume music in order to be able to make music yourself.

Are you being recognized on the street?
Chino: It happens more often lately but it is not annoying, because the fame and everything else is being distributed onto six pair of shoulders. And our fans are nice and say „please“ and „thanks“.

Where can you be seen live next?
Itchy: Oh, this year in Germany not at all…! In November we are going with CC to Central America. Itchino Sound will DJ in a few clubs…. the best thing to do is to check on culchacandela.de or itchino.de!

“The meaning of life is to search for it and never stop, otherwise you are mentally dead.”

And now a few typical C-Heads questions:  A short brainstorming- what comes into your minds when hearing the following terms?

German Day of Unity: A good historical day but a bad unemotional holiday. The 09.11 would be a better date
Love: Chino and Itchy: Say what?!?!
Music: Itchy and Chino: We need it round the clock!
Fear: Itchy: I am always afraid that when I am old I won´t be able to control anymore when I need to go to the toilet
Chino: I fear most lack of humour. I am afraid that the humour could disappear totally.
Freedom: Itchy and Chino: That means being able to do what you have dreamed of. We are free for sure!
Facebook: Itchy and Chino: Crass addiciton…
The meaning of life is…? Itchy: To search for it and never stop, otherwise you are mentally dead.

5 things you cannot live without? Chino and Itchy: Woman, music, good and healthy food and sports.

And last but not least, do you have any advice for me how to survive the upcoming winter in Berlin? The last one was terrible…
Chino and Itchy: To find someone to cuddle!!!

Many thanks for the interview!!:)
Itchy and Chino: With pleasure.

check out: www.culchacandela.de

Interview by Sigrun Guggenberger