Ethimm
Despite the name, Elisabeth Thimm is not a girl. The Swiss techno producer and musician took the name from his great grandmother. “She lived in this haunted mansion on a hill surrounded with a big garden and played the piano for two hours every day,” Thimm recalls. “I remember this conversation I had with her as a little boy, maybe 2 or 3 years old, her telling me ‘You’re so musical; You’re so musical’. I never really knew why because I certainly didnt play any instruments as a child.” Decades later it popped into his head. “To me it’s a synonym for that superpower someone else sees in you even if you don’t (yet).” For a number of years he was putting out electronic music for off the dancefloor. His new tracks are taking things back to his party roots. “My love for disco, house and a techno never really left me.” Thimm has a new EP out on bandcamp, a track on a COVID relief compilation for the Swiss electronic scene (https://covid19.clubculture.ch/) and some disco jams coming through Swiss record label Subject to Restriction Discs. “I do hope my music sounds more like the party that turns into a threesome on a deserted beach in Ibiza in the wee morning hours, rather than an anonymous club night in a dingy basement with wasted punters.” If you’re lucky you’ll catch Thimm in person in Zurich, or wandering the world with a auburn wig worthy that is part 17th century aristocrat, part hair rock louche.
How would you describe yourself?
Most disappointing lay you ever had! But I do make a mean brunch in the morning so its kinda worth it.
What is your favourite hat?
My big curly wig, that instantly turns me into Wild Helmut, a good natured, slightly sleezy, middle aged burn out who back in the day used to make coffee at some of the biggest studios in the world.
Do you think flowers scream when you pick them?
Usually, I’m so quick in my picking they don’t even realise something happened until it’s too late. Unfortunately, the same dynamic plays in other areas of my life too.
What colour is happiness?
No clue, but as long as it,s dark, warm and sweaty I’m pretty happy with it.
Do you snore?
OF COURSE NOT! Do you?
Would you say you have any eccentricities?
Does killing dancefloors in my +1’s Manolo Blahniks count as an eccentricity? I hope not!
Have you ever written a fan letter?
No, but I have stood in line for 3 hours to get an autograph from Arnold Schwarzenegger at the opening of one of his Planet Hollywood restaurants. The adventurer I am, I broke through his chain of bodyguards only for that cigar smoking motherfucker to hold his ridiculously large hand in to my then 10-year-old face and shout ‘Not now, but I’ll be back’.
What order do you take your clothes off in?
Since I wear robes most of the time it’s pretty simple: First yours, then mine.
https://ethimm.bandcamp.com/
courtesy ETHIMM
interview FRANCESCA GAVIN
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