Timo Maas

Timo Maas

Timo Maas is a German electronic music DJ, producer and remixer from Bückeburg. He is associated with electronic, tech house and techno, and he also works under aliases including Orinoko, [O], Rockets & Ponies, Mad Dogs, Kinetic A.T.O.M. and Airpack II.

Early years and DJ work

Maas develops an interest in music through listening to radio as a child. He buys his first record at the age of 9 and gets his first set of turntables at 17. His first performance takes place in 1982 at a party in a friend’s home. In the early part of his career, he plays mostly around Germany, usually with Top 40 records but sometimes adding a techno track. Around six years after his first set, he plays his first official all-techno set. In 1992 he is booked for a rave at Easter, which introduces him to the early German rave scene. He then plays many rave events of different sizes in Germany and abroad, building a reputation in the underground electronic scene.

Recording career and aliases

Maas begins producing in the 1980s, although his first record, The Final XS, does not appear until 1995. The release does not sell strongly. His second release is Die Herdplatte, made with Gary D, which performs better. Through Gary D, Maas gains a residency at Hamburg club The Tunnel between 1994 and 1996. He also plays the Bristol club Lakota through British contacts and releases material on Hope Recordings, both in his own name and as Orinoko. He records under several aliases with his manager and friend Leon Alexander.

Breakthrough releases and albums

Maas becomes more widely known in mainstream dance music through his remix of Azzido Da Bass’s “Doom’s Night”. After that, he releases Music For The Maases Volume 1, a mix album drawing on earlier tracks and remixes. He follows it with Connected, released on Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto imprint, and then his debut artist album Loud in 2002. Loud includes guest appearances from Kelis and Finley Quaye. He later issues Music For The Maases, Volume 2, again combining remixes and new tracks.

Pictures and notable collaborations

In 2005 Maas releases his second solo album, Pictures, with guest appearances from Kelis, Neneh Cherry and Brian Molko of Placebo. His track “To Get Down” is used in film, television and advertising, including The Italian Job, Riders, FIFA 2003 and a Budweiser commercial. A remix of the neighbourhood screen music from The Sims 2: Nightlife is also credited to him.

Residencies and scene presence

In 2000 Maas begins a residency with Deep Dish at Twilo in New York. Across his career he is known for work as a DJ, remixer and producer in the electronic underground and dance music scenes.