Purple Disco Machine: "I have a bionic finger"

Purple Disco Machine is a great name. 

Tino Piontek is a pretty cool name, but Purple Disco Machine is just *chef's kiss*. 

What inspired it? A couple of things, according to Mr Piontek. 

You can find out below – as well as more on PDM's lockdown. 

Bayern Munich fan, eh? Well, nobody's perfect. 

(We're ride-or-die Borussia Dortmund fans at Square Mile. The yellow-and-black Millennium Falcon to Bayern's Death Star.)  

Life

What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?

I’m really excited about my second album which will be released early next year, but we have already started the campaign for it with the release of the first single ‘Hypnotized’.

I was very happy and surprised that my debut album ‘Soulmatic’ became such a success so hopefully I can build on that this time round.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

I have been very lucky to have had my records top club charts and get played on the radio around the world , to have been asked to remix records by the world’s best artists and to have been asked to play at some of the world’s best parties, but I think my proudest achievement is to have been able to make a living as a professional musician/music artist for over 10 years.

For many years when I started out I was not sure that this could ever be possible.

If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?

I’m very happy with it so this is tough to answer! Maybe to have learned to play more instruments ? Like the bass guitar?

I can play piano competently but I’m no virtuoso so to improve that as well. Although there is of course still time to do this , especially in this lockdown...

What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?

I think I’m only just starting on my record production journey. So I guess more albums by me as an artist and to definitely produce successful albums for other artists.

I really look up to producers like Quincy Jones and Mark Ronson etc so to achieve something like they have achieved as producers would be amazing.

Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?

Probably Prince ! It’s where the ‘Purple’ in the name comes from after all.

Tell us something nobody knows about you…

That the ‘machine’ part of Purple Disco Machine comes because I actually have a bionic finger...?!?

Lockdown

How are you finding lockdown?

Mostly okay so far. I love making music and so I can get to do this most days now. Normally my hard tour life starts in April and so studio work becomes disjointed.

But I’m definitely missing watching live football on TV. This time of the year is the end of the season when things get really exciting. Especially for my team Bayern Munich. Evenings can be kind of boring without it !

Best thing about lockdown?

I have built a new studio so I’m getting a chance to really explore it as normally I would be beginning my intensive touring schedule at this time of the year.

Worst thing about lockdown?

I have two small children and it is hard to see them not being able to meet and play with their friends.

Kids need other kids and even the most devoted parents cannot always replace the joys of playing with friends the same age.

Top tip for surviving lockdown?

Patience.

If you could be locked down with one person, alive or dead, who would it be?

My wife of course !

What are you most looking forward to doing once lockdown is over?

Playing my new music at clubs and festivals.