How long are you in the electronic music scene?

 

I think it's more than 18 years now.

My brother was working in clubs. He is nine years older than me, so he came home with recorded sets and stuff. But really experiencing it, it was starting around 18 years ago.

 

 

What was the first genre of electronic music you started with?

 

It was The Prodigy. In 1997, The Fat Of The Land, an album of The Prodigy was released and I was really crazy about it. I really wanted to go to their concert in 98, but I was too young, I was 13 or 14 years old, so my mom accompanied me. We came in there, and it was a lot of crazy people. All the guys looked like Keith Flint and there was a fog of weed smoke inside, so we got already a bit high from just being inside the venue. We had seats, but we didn't sit on the seats. We were dancing and jumping the whole time. There was so much energy. It is a really powerful memory and also my first real introduction to electronic music.

 

 

 

What was your first impressive party situation?

 

It was in a club in my hometown. There was a retro house party going on. I was there on the dancefloor. I dind't take any drugs, well maybe some alcohol. I was so excited, I can even remember the track which was playing, it was from T99 - Anasthasia, who is a Belgian producer, it's such an overwhelming track and I felt an intense feeling of extasy. And I knew already.... Woow! That's is probably what it's all about. The combination of these things and the elevation, the higher level. That was the first impressive party situation.

 

 

 

Analog or digital?

 

Analog. The hours I already spent discussing on this subject…

My answer is analog for sure..

But ,for the record, there is nothing wrong with digital.

 

 

What triggered techno in you?

 

The power behind it. Especially when you are in a big room, with a good sound system - it can be overwhelming. I can dance to techno in a way that I have out of body experiences. I'm dancing and I don't even realise it anymore. I'm just so dancing on the music that I have the feeling I'm looking at myself outside of my body dancing to the music. That's how I discovered this power. 

 

 

With which club do you have a special connection?

 

I have a connection with several clubs. But for Berlin I would say Club der Visionäre which is a club and also a place to hang out. You can hang around and have fun and also have a party. But than on the other hand Wilde Renate is also a big Kindergarten in a way. I think the elements of music and fun in combination is important. But it's almost impossible to have a favourite. It depends on my mood. There are so many good clubs in the world. Also like Fabric London or Guesthouse in Bucarest, I had a very good experience there recently. 

 

 

What's your favourite festival?

 

One of the first ‘wauw’ experiences of festivals was Fusion for me. For several reasons, but more recently, I would say Waha Festival in Romania, because of the elements of nature, really good music and sound . Plus it's also a Goa. So you have the combination of different worlds, it contributes to the whole experience. Waking Life Festival in Portugal is also very interesting, because of the nature and night sky. It has a magical thing. The magical element is important on a festival to me.

 

 

What are your favorite substances?

 

The most common one is Alcohol. It's usually there in combination with food and everything. That's one of my favourites. Not frequently I like psychedelics like LSD, especially on festivals like the ones I named before.

 

 

What does a perfect afterhour need?

 

The right people, sound and Bananas. I need Bananas.

 

 

Are you a dancer or a talker?

 

I can do both and I like both. I can not be the whole night dancing without talking, about music for example. I love to talk about music.

For sure both.

 

 

More floor or more backstage?

 

Floor for sure. Because the best sound is on the floor. I always search for the right spot. In the middle of everything, where the sound is the best.

 

 

 

What's your favourite album / record of all times?

 

I have to name two things. One is Massive Attack – Blue Lines.

The other one is Ricardo Villalobos – Alcachofa.

 

 

 

What is the most important element a good club needs?

 

Good sound of course. And lighting is also very important. But sound first. Sound is everything.

 

 

How do you keep the balance between rave and the other part of the week?

 

With music. I just keep listening to music. Because music helps you trough every part. You need the music during the weekend in whatever genre it is that keeps you motivated. Also the same during the week. I would not listen to electronic music constantly. I prefer other music during the week. But I need music to keep me in balance. For me personally, music is the key for everything 

 

What is your secret weapon against hangovers?

 

It's Kiwis. When you wake up and you feel you've been ran over by a truck and you think you're going to die and you can not move, but you have to eat something first of all, to go on with life.

Make sure you have a ripe Kiwi. Because it has all the nutrients it goes in easily. Banana is also very good, but a Kiwi is even better for a hangover. I also read it in an article about hangovers. If you have to go further with partying, eat a banana and a Kiwi, digest it a bit, have good decent meal followed by a good line of motivation – Speed – afterwards. And extra tip; always drink a lot of water.