Timo Maas is a world-renowned German DJ, producer, and composer, and one of the key figures of the electronic music scene from the 1990s through the 2020s. His sound spans across techno, deep house, breakbeat, and progressive styles, with a signature approach that blends experimentation, melody, and powerful rhythm.
Early Life
Timo Maas was born on July 27, 1969, in West Germany. After his parents’ divorce during his early childhood, he moved with his mother to the small town of Bückeburg. From a young age, he was fascinated by music: collecting records, dreaming of drums and guitars, but eventually finding his passion in DJing. At 13, he was already spinning records at school parties, and by 17, he had purchased his first professional turntables.
After finishing school, like many young Germans, he had to choose between military service and community work. Timo opted for the latter, volunteering to deliver meals to people with disabilities. Later, he worked in cafés and mobile phone sales while continuing to refine his DJing skills and experiment with sound.
Career Beginnings and Early Success
A major turning point came with his participation in large-scale raves in the early 1990s. In 1992, he performed at his first major festival, and by the mid-1990s, he had begun producing his own tracks. His debut release, "The Final XS" (1995), marked his entry into the electronic scene. His second release, produced with Gary D, helped him secure a residency at the Hamburg club The Tunnel.
By the late 1990s, he was using multiple aliases to explore different musical directions. One of the most notable was Orinoko, under which he released the club classic "Mama Konda".
Breakthrough and International Fame
Timo’s global breakthrough came in 1999 with his remix of "Doom’s Night" by Azzido Da Bass. Created in just a few hours, the track became a club anthem and catapulted him to international fame. Riding this wave of success, he released compilations such as Music for the Maases Vol. 1 and Connected, featuring remixes and original productions played on the world’s biggest dance floors.
Albums and Collaborations
His first studio album, "Loud" (2002), cemented his reputation and included the hit "To Get Down", which appeared in films and in the video game FIFA Football 2004. The second album, "Pictures" (2005), took a more experimental approach and featured collaborations with Kelis, Brian Molko (Placebo), Neneh Cherry, and Finley Quaye.
In 2013, he released his third album, "Lifer", continuing to explore the boundaries between techno, house, and experimental electronica. Standout tracks include "Train in My Kitchen" and "Articulation".
Since then, Timo has consistently released singles and remixes. Among his recent works (2020–2024) are remixes for Paul Oakenfold, Booka Shade, and DJ Hell, as well as a series of club releases on his label Rockets & Ponies, co-founded with Martin Buttrich.
Style and Sound
Timo Maas is known for fusing heavy techno beats with funky grooves, deep basslines, and live instrumentation. His approach is often described as "percussive funk techno", though Timo himself defines his style as contemporary electronic music or simply the "Sound of Maas".
Soundtracks and Media
His music is frequently used in films, commercials, and video games. The track "To Get Down" became iconic thanks to its inclusion in the films "The Italian Job" and "Riders", as well as in advertising campaigns for Nike and Heineken. His compositions have also appeared in modern Netflix and Amazon Prime series.
Collaboration with Martin Buttrich
Since 1997, Timo has worked closely with Martin Buttrich—an engineer, producer, and co-creator of numerous projects. Together, they established a studio in Hanover, producing tracks, remixes, and collaborations for international artists. Timo calls him a “technical genius,” emphasizing their shared musical intuition and creative synergy.
Recent Years (2020–2025)
In recent years, Timo Maas has remained highly active, performing at major festivals such as Time Warp, Awakenings, Sonus, and EXIT, and releasing exclusive podcasts and live sets on YouTube and Mixcloud. He continues to be a sought-after resident at Berlin and Ibiza clubs, including DC-10 and Pacha.
Timo continues to champion the concept of “organic techno”—a sound that combines analog instruments, live elements, and modern production techniques. In a 2024 interview, he announced he was working on a new album scheduled for release in 2025.
Personal Life and Interests
Despite global recognition, Timo remains humble and down-to-earth. He continues to live in Germany, values privacy, and dreams of opening a farm-to-table restaurant. His home houses a collection of over 30,000 vinyl records and an extensive wine cellar, reflecting his passion for gastronomy and culture.
Legacy
Timo Maas is one of the producers who helped shape the European club scene from the late 20th to the early 21st century. His contributions to techno and house culture have earned him multiple awards and the respect of his peers. His remixes, DJ sets, and original productions remain benchmarks of quality and continue to inspire a new generation of electronic music creators.
