Playlist: Philipp Grefer, Co-Founder, Fake Music Media

Playlist is a regular column in which we ask Beijing personalities about their musical tastes and recommendations. This month, the Beijinger sat down with Philipp Grefer, co-owner for Fake Music Media.

If you could date a music genre, what would it be? 
I would be quite promiscuous because dating only one genre would be a bit boring. Maybe it’s easier to state which ones I definitely wouldn’t date. They would be brain-numbing EDM (the term EDM alone is an insult to all good electronic music), bubblegum pop and noise music.

What was the first record you ever bought?
Appetite for Destruction by Guns ‘n’ Roses and Who Do You Think We Are by Deep Purple were my first records.

Can you play any instruments? If so, what?
I used to play guitar in a punk rock band, had a few piano lessons, and was very proud when I learned circular breathing for playing the didgeridoo. But for the sake of my environment, I’d rather stick to DJing these days.

Name a song or record for your time in Beijing?
It has to be Nova Heart’s (a Fake Music Media act) Beautiful Boys EP. I guess no other record has influenced my life in Beijing or elsewhere as much as this one.

What is your favorite song to wake up to?
“The Shape of Punk to Come” by Refused. After that one you are definitely awake.

What song would you want to be played at your funeral?
When I was a kid I always thought it should be “The Show Must Go On” by Queen since I was a big Queen fan. Only later I learned that Freddie Mercury wrote that song after he discovered he was HIV-positive. Anyway, while the song is a bit cheesy, it still has a positive and strong message. Whatever happens to me personally, life goes on for those left behind.

Fake Music Media is bringing CSS to Beijing. Check out that show at Tango 3F on Jun 27.

Photo: Mitchell Masilun