You've been producing and performing music for over 15 years now. What keeps you going?

I do what I love most. Nothing else needed to keep me going! As a trained jazz pianist, DJ, producer and music lover I have everything ready to create something I am happy with at the end of the day, and I hope people are able to feel that love and delight I am putting in, when they listen to my music.

You're not only releasing music and djing under the name Matthias Vogt, but you're also one half of Motorcitysoul & MVIP alongside having two band projects, Matthias Vogt Trio and [re:jazz]. Will there be a focus on one particular project in 2012?

2011 definitely was a strong year for my solo productions, with Matthias Vogt EP's on favorite labels like Large, Lazy Days, Polytone, Fullbarr, Wazi Wazi and International Freakshow. 2012 starts with collaborations: There will be an M.V.I.P. EP on Fred Everything's Lazy Days Recordings, and a new project I did with the talented Hans Thalau from Stuttgart. Furthermore I am writing on new [re:jazz] material, there will be a new album in autumn for our ten years anniversary. And of course, there's new Motorcitysoul and Matthias Vogt stuff to be released! I am thinking of doing a solo album, but this is future stuff...

I feel that the releases under Matthias Vogt are reduced and dense with flashes of catchy melodies in between. What is your approach to your solo productions? Are they a way to express what is not possible to express in your cooperations with others?

That's exactly what I try to do: Reduce tracks to the minimum regarding elements, with the maximum input of my own musical vibe. It is great to work on music with other people. I've been working with my Motorcitysoul partner C-Rock for almost ten years now, plus working in bands and cooperations. In bands and cooperations you must find an agreement, so it can be a relief to do whatever you want while working on a track. So after years of communication with other people I am alone in the studio getting lost in tracks... I love that, hoping for a good outcome.

You were born in Rüsselsheim which is close to Frankfurt where you still live. Frankfurt has always been a kind of anti-pole to the techno capital Berlin. What do you think about the current scene in the Rhein-Main area? Is it still as strong as in the 90's?

Frankfurt was truly a special place for nightlife and electronic music in the late 80's and early 90's. I grew up with clubs like Omen and Dorian Gray, with the phenomenon the HR3 (and later on You FM) club night was, plus I could drop names for ages like Sven Väth, Playhouse, Groove Magazine, Force Inc., ... nowadays it's different. We still have strong clubs here, like Robert Johnson and Cocoon Club, countless labels, record stores... but of course, many people moved to Berlin and in times of the internet things changed a lot. I'd say Frankfurt is no longer anti-pole, it is an enrichment. And, what is important to me, it is a beautiful place to live. I love Frankfurt!

It's the end of the year, poll-time all over the place. Can you tell me about some favorite tracks of the past year?

Take a look at my facebook artist site: facebook.com/djmatthiasvogt. You find my top 10 tracks of 2011 there, with youtube links and a short description and explanation why i love these tracks the way I do. It has been a strong year for amazing (house) music, in my opinion!

I've heard that you're a true wine connoisseur... What's worse: Listening to a bad house record or tasting a bad bottle of wine?

My girlfriend is a sommelier - great to live with a wine expert! That makes sure I don't get in touch with bad wine. I am returning the favor and try to deliver enjoyable music. Life is too short for bad wine...

Artist of the Week: Matthias Vogt will air Tuesday January 3rd at 18:00, with repeats Wednesday at 12:00, and Saturday at 10:00.