In an industry
that thrives on its audiences insatiable need for change, yet constantly
strives to hold the average consumers short attention span, there
are few truly safe bets. Perhaps this is why Peter Rauhofers vast
accomplishments seem at once so heroic yet still so intangible. It is indeed
rare for a DJ/producer, especially one on the cutting edge of electronica,
to persevere through more than a decade of rapidly changing consumer tastes.
Rauhofers profound talent and continual evolution have dutifully earned
him the utmost respect of his peers and a worldwide reputation as one of
the most prolific and influential forces in electronic dance music.

Rauhofer
began his remarkable career as a DJ/producer after working for many years
in various capacities within the music industry. After an eight-year stint
as A&R director at the Austrian indie label GIG/BMG Records
and establishing a solid reputation as one of the top DJs in Vienna, Rauhofer
introduced himself to American audiences in 1992 under the pseudonym Club
69. His first single, the provocative hit Let Me Be Your Underwear,
was followed by Adults Only and Style, both full-length
Club 69 albums. He followed up those early successes with a series of international
dance sensations including Diva, Unique, Drama,
Alright, Muscles and Twisted. In 1999,
Rauhofer joined house music heavyweights Victor Calderone, Junior Vasquez,
Danny Tenaglia, Cevin Fisher and Razor & Guido in reinterpreting selected
songs for Re-Styled, a remix version of the Style
album.
Always
the chameleon, Rauhofer has also recorded under several other intriguing
pseudonyms including Size Queen (Walk 4 Me, K-Hole
and Music, all from the album Pimps, Pumps and Pushers),
House Heroes (Magic Orgasm) and Magic Cucumbers (Stand
Up). His latest incarnation is The Collaboration, a moniker under
which Rauhofer recruits other prominent artists and producers to join him
in creating and remixing music. Rauhofers first endeavor as The Collaboration
paired him with Victor Calderone in 1999 to record the wildly popular Do
It Properly with vocalist Deborah Cooper. The duo later remixed Madonnas
Skin. Rauhofer will now take this concept to the next level
by producing a full-length album of collaborative tracks with a variety
of artists like the new Star 69 release, a lush cover of Razes Break
4 Love with the Pet Shop Boys.
Past beat-mixed
compilation CDs include Twist This Pussy (Twisted), Club 69
Future Mix, Volumes 1 & 2 (Twisted), Nite Grooves (King Street) and
The Circuit Party 4 (SPG). Rauhofers technical skills and personal
taste in music at the moment will also be showcased on London-Sires
next Essential Mix CD.
Brilliant
remixes for Madonna (Nothing Really Matters), Whitney Houston
(Its Not Right, But Its Okay), Cher (with the help
of Rauhofers Club 69 Future Mix, Believe went on to become
the biggest record worldwide in 1999), Depeche Mode (Rauhofers version
of Its No Good was voted Best Remix of 1997 by Mixmag),
Donna Summer (I Will Go With You (Con Te Partir)), Pet Shop
Boys and others have solidified Rauhofers status as one of the most
influential and visionary artists in the music industry. Frankie Goes to
Hollywood and Book of Love have also enjoyed renewed fame recently thanks
to his retooling of their 80s hits, Relax and Boy,
respectively. Jennifer Lopez got the Rauhofer treatment on her latest release,
Play, and Madonna has recruited him once again to remix her
next single, Impressive Instant.
Rauhofers
unique talent has helped more than 35 records reach Number One on the Billboard
charts, earning him countless accolades including the music industrys
highest honor a Grammy Award for Remixer of the Year in 2000. A second
nomination in 2001 in the same category only solidifies Rauhofers
status as a world class entertainer. A maverick at heart, he is never content
with the status quo; conversely, he fervently attempts to redefine it. The
only thing predictable about Peter Rauhofer is his undying drive to achieve
perfection and the exceptional quality of his extensive work.
In early
1999, Rauhofer launched Star 69 Entertainment in conjunction with AOL/Time-Warners
London-Sire division. The tremendous impact each of the singles released
thus far has had on both dance floors and music charts worldwide is nothing
short of remarkable. Hardly one to rest on his laurels, Rauhofer soon found
a way to bring Star 69s influence into the home through the truly
innovative marketing and release of This Is Star 69, a vibrantly
beat-mixed collection of the labels singles. A second volume of this
best-selling CD will be introduced in the near future.
A master
of multi-media manipulation, Rauhofer is also an accomplished photographer
and self-taught graphic designer. His inspired attention to detail and boundless
talent is most noticeably displayed on Star 69s distinctive taxicab
yellow packaging, as well as the numerous posters, advertisements,
and articles of clothing Rauhofer has personally created to help promote
his growing empire.
When hes
not anchored to his desk or burning the midnight oil in the studio, Rauhofer
regularly puts his talent on display for live audiences at some of the hottest
venues in the country and around the world. Coveted residencies at The Roxy,
Limelight and Miamis Level keep Rauhofer firmly in touch with his
audience affording him the unique honor of setting the very same trends
the rest of the world will eventually emulate.
While Rauhofers
plate is full as always, some may argue that Star 69s cup runneth
over. Boasting a stable of artists that rivals that of a major label (featuring
Pet Shop Boys, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Celeda, house diva Suzanne Palmer,
and underground sensation Lula; the latter three working on full-length
albums due out in late 2001), Star 69 shines with the luminous intensity
of a Supernova.
The inexhaustibly creative DJ, producer,
remixer, record label owner, photographer, creative director,
and all-around visionary is the very definition of a Renaissance
man. Peter Rauhofer is a success many times over who, by all
industry standards, has consistently proven himself worthy
of the numerous accolades he receives. Rauhofer is, and shall
continue to be, a globally influential force in the music
industry, and he wouldnt have it any other way.
Written in June 2001, this biography is
featured at http://www.peterrauhofer.com
|