Search Results

By: Amanda Sandström Beijer Photos: Philipp Fussenegger Big biceps and a soft heart - Tischa ’The Tigress’ Thomas is the woman behind the 17-inch biceps. From New York to Berlin, Tischa talks to us about her journey into the subculture of female bodybuilding and the world of BDSM. Tisha The Tigress, bodybuilder, Berlin Current in the documentary film about her journey and strive t owards the goal to reach number one in the world of female bodybuilding. The documentary film ’I Am The Tigress’, by Philipp Fussenegger of Fun Fair Films, lifts ’The Tigress’ who behind her huge biceps is also a vulnerable human being who struggles with self-doubt, discrimination and acceptance of others . With much admiration, Playful takes the chance to get to know Tischa better and be inspired by her incredible mentality, as well as her soft heart. Tischa grew up in Bronx, New York with her mother and older brother. During her first year of college, she got pregnant. ” I had my first child, Jasmine, just before my eighteenth birthday – so I didn’t return to school. Two years later I met and married my first husband.” I was at my lowest in my self-esteem and at my highest in bodyweight Together with him she got two more children. They got divorced, Tischa got remarried and divorced again, something that took its toll on her mentally. ”At this time in my life, I was at my lowest in my self-esteem and at my highest in bodyweight reaching my peak at 300 pounds. I decided that I wanted to focus on myself and work on getting back to my high-school weight, which was half of what I weighed at that time. I hired a personal trainer who worked with me.” ”As I approached my goal of 150 pounds, that same trainer convinced me to enter into a local bodybuilding competition. It took nine months to prep for the show and on the big day I not only hit my weight-loss goal of 150 lbs, but I also won my very first show.” My confidence and self-esteem were non-existent. Bodybuilding means so much to me because it taught me to love myself again It took Tischa six years to go from amateur to pro in bodybuilding. A sport that has meant much to her, not only as proof of her mental strength, but also as a successful way to fight bad self-image and insecurity. Tisha The Tigress, bodybuilder, Berlin ”Bodybuilding has meant a second chance for me to claim my body back. When I started out on this journey back in 2008-09, I was a few pounds shy of 300 pounds. My confidence and self-esteem were non-existent. Bodybuilding means so much to me because it taught me to love myself again. Bodybuilding gave me the discipline I needed to not just loose the weight, but also to get the confidence and stamina to transform my whole body.” The challenges have not only been the metal and physical, regarding the body transformation, but also the social challenges of being harassed and questioned. ”The biggest challenge in being a female bodybuilder was always having to gender-proof myself when I was in social settings or just out and about. It used to really get under my skin, but now I try to use these moments to teach and give a better or different perspective of what strength and beauty is.” Tischa qualified for the world championship after her first year of turning pro, which took her six years of hard focus and discipline to achieve. At this championship show, a film director from Berlin was holding a casting call for a movie he was working on about a female bodybuilder. ”I went in for the casting call along with about a hundred other girls, and I landed the lead role. That brings me to how I wound up in Germany. I thought that It would be easier to be physically here when the production for the movie started.” Tischa applied for and got a three-year visa. She gave up her apartment and furniture back in New York, packed two suitcase and headed to Berlin. ” Many of my friends and family think that it was a bold and courageous move. I didn't think it was such a big deal. I knew Berlin was where I wanted to live from my very first visit.” In the US Tischa was constantly questioned, since many people found that a female bodybuilder was something unnatural – and there were a number of other topics of harassment as well. It has been a lot easier for her to be accepted in Berlin. ”My view on living in Berlin versus in the U.S. is like comparing apples to oranges. It's like night and day the way that society sees and receives me here just as I am.” ” Here many people appreciate and admire my uniqueness, strength , and my fearless confidence to embrace my authentic self. Where I was constantly harassed for my physique over there, I now perform live here in Berlin for the masses that have literally told me ’Thank you for being you’. Which is one of the best compliments that I've ever received.” ”I have been on this body transformation journey for ten years now and it wasn't until the 10th year when I moved to Germany that I actually felt accepted for just being me. It was the first time that I didn't feel like I was standing outside of society looking in, but Instead felt proud to embrace my uniqueness as a female bodybuilder. No one wants to be where they don't feel accepted or where they are looked upon as a freak of nature. That was my daily experience back home. The US may be my birthplace, but Berlin has now become my home. I feel accepted and I feel that I belong here.” The guys love to be lifted or taken down by a female in a mixed wrestling match. A side income for some bodybuilders is to work as a dominatrix, or within the BDSM culture, something that Tischa has been doing for almost ten years back in New York. ” I actually got started in the session business offering mixed wrestling matches because of my physique. The guys love to be lifted or taken down by a female in a mixed wrestling match. However, l was never a big fan of offering that service because some guys try to prove a point by really trying to hurt you during the match. So, I started to offer more fetish and BDSM type services.” The role of a Dom has also taught me how to be confident in myself ”I like to entitle myself Professional Fantasy Facilitator . I help bring to life gentleman's ultimate fantasies. Some may get into the business strictly for the money, but I truly enjoy getting into character according to my client's request and bringing their fantasy into frustration. Also, I feel working as a dominatrix has helped me to find and use my voice as a powerful and assertive woman.” ”The role of a Dom has also taught me how to be confident in myself .” When coming to Berlin Tischa was offered work as a performance artist and dominatrix at the KitKat Club. ”I started to work there in August 2019. However, the idea that I could even pull something like this off came about on New Year eve 2018 during my first trip to Berlin. I'm much more comfortable in my skin now, but back then I was very torn between how I felt about my body and how others felt about it.” Tisha The Tigress, bodybuilder, Berlin That New Year Tischa decided to go to the party without worrying about what or how people felt about her physique. ”I just decided to celebrate me and my body-transformation accomplishments for that night. In a world of my own, I danced the entire night. To my surprise, days later, many people at the party approached me to tell me how much they enjoyed watching my New Year Performance”, she laughs. ” People thought that I was performing. Anyway, enough people from the party approached me with the same compliment, I decided to meet up with the owner to see if I could do my dance performance as a permanent gig at the club. He liked the idea, and the rest is history.” ”Pre-Corona, I was one of the top main headline performers at the club with my "Muscles in Motion and ’P.O.P (Power Of Pussy) CULTURE performances’. I totally love working there. KitKat is more than just a kinky night club. Its environment encourages uniqueness and individuality. It's the perfect place for me to be just me without being judged.” Tischa’s view on BDSM is open. She’s come a long way by being brave and standing up for herself in situations where people who believe they deserve to take power over others try to push her down and humiliate her. In many ways the play with domination is something that made her become friends with her strength and enabled her to be proud of her physical accomplishments in the public light as well. What I really enjoy about being a dominatrix and offering BDSM service is having the creative power to make another person's fantasy come to fruition. Even if that fantasy is to get their ass whipped by a huge muscle chick ”I am a free spirit so I welcome opportunities to explore different aspects of pain and pressure, dominance, control, and all the powers of being a woman. Practicing BDSM to me is like an adult playground where I feel I can practice and work on my confidence, self-esteem, and how to assert myself to get what I want or get the other person to behave in a certain way. These are qualities that go beyond the session but are valuable in my day-to-day life and interactions with other people.” ” What I really enjoy about being a dominatrix and offering BDSM service is having the creative power to make another person's fantasy come to fruition. Even if that fantasy is to get their ass whipped by a huge muscle chick.”

By: Amanda Sandström Beijer Photos: Lukas Viar They say that if you want to see the change, so be it. Something that Jay is a great evidence of. As the founder of ’Drag Energy Catwalk’ - they lead a cat walking workshop across Tempelhofer Feldt - as a way to share their message of unity, strength and acceptance. Jay Berry for Playful Magazine Jay was born in Perth, Australia but never felt at home there. After moving around for a bit they settled in Berlin. ”I moved to Melbourne, then London and now Berlin. I love the freedom that Berlin can offer, to be naked in a park in the middle of the city is revolutionary to me and sits beautifully with my free spirit.” ”Later I became very connected to a queer community and space through Stretch Festival, hosted by The Village, after one of the festivals I thought ‘I could just not go back London.’ This feeling of belonging coupled with the oncoming Brexit was enough for me to make the move.” The first time they visited Berlin wasn’t a very pleasant introduction to the city, however. ”It was in 2008 in the winter and I was sick with pneumonia. It was the first country I visited on my own where I didn't speak the language. To be honest I was scared and I really didn't like it. I hadn't found my groove. Then I came back many many times over the years to exhibit my art and became determined to figure out what the allure of Berlin was. Eventually I did!” Meeting with Jay gives you an impression that they’ve had some time to live, trial and error. Today they are sober, vegan and successfully execute all kinds of creative projects. ”BABE, I have been around! Yes”, they laugh. ”My life started with a lot of experience and it’s been an ongoing wild ride ever since. I exhibit a lot, but there is so much more. I am currently trying to find outlets for what I feel is really important to share. Life experiences shared by others with me personally or through LGBTIQ history and my own trial and error shaped me more than anything, because being an independent, queer, creative, activist meant that mainstream culture didn't offer enough.” ”I definitely found ways to articulate emotion, trauma and now joy and connection in Berlin through sharing art, going to amazing workshops and now doing my own embodiment workshops. There is a lot of potential energy available in this city.” Jay Berry for Playful Magazine Jay means that even if the switch to a sober lifestyle does change your whole lifestyle, it doesn’t have to change your interests and can be integrated in the life you already live. ”There’s a wonderful sober community here in Berlin, I have to say I’m not super connected with it but it’s there if you need it.” ”I still go dancing in clubs for two days but I just don't wake up feeling bad after it anymore. I have experienced Berlin sober and as a recreational drug and alcohol user and I much prefer the sensitivity I have now to discover the world without needing substances. If you can moderate your use that is fantastic, unfortunately I am very all or nothing and the negative affects eventually outweighed the positives. You never regret waking up feeling amazing, knowing, where you are and not having spent all your money.” ”I like that people don't question my choice here, I don't feel that people pressure me at all. People in Berlin are very much on their own journeys and there is room for me to be me. I just keep on dancing like a crazy ass machine! It gets tricky when it comes to dating but that is not a priority for me ,” they laugh. And the energy doesn’t stop. Jay founded ’ Drag Energy Catwalk’ and if you haven’t already seen them marching Tempelhofer Feldt down, you will want to, or be part of it yourself. ”It’s my baby and I love it! It started because I missed drag and didn't have space to prance around in heels at home potentially inciting the ire of my neighbors while punching holes in the wooden floors so I thought why not try it outside. I went to Tempelhofer Feld to ’WALK THE RUNWAY’ literally, since it’ s an airport . I wanted to feel free and alive, I also wanted to claim my space in Berlin and not feel shy or ashamed of my queerness and interests.” ”Fortunately Tempelhof is a space for everyone with diverse interests and I love being out there with kite boarders, skaters, yogis and picnickers. Then I realized that the power, confidence and self-love I was generating from this process could be shared, I wanted more options of fun things to do in a sober setting so I formalized my methodology by writing a manifesto and invited people to come down and play.” ”It’s been very well received and we get so much love from ourselves, each other and passers by. I get to share my message of unity, strength and acceptance while having a fabulous time! Only a few times have I been threatened by straight cis men when I’m training in my heels there and that only emboldens me in my conviction that this is my right and the simple act of walking becomes political as it has many times in history from the BLM, civil rights movement, feminism and LGBTIQA Pride. Everyday out there is a mixture of personal development and public protest!” Jay Berry for Playful Magazine It may feel intimidating if you yourself hesitate to join in, and have only watched the confidence on the catwalk from afar. Although, as a teacher Jay quickly helps out with tactics to let go of the idea of perfectionism. ”Honestly I’m not the best catwalker, I mean I can stomp about in a heel but I really try to let go of perfectionism, this is about the feeling. I always tell people who come to my workshops, to get lost in their delusion and create the illusion. Don't film it and photograph it until the end because the experience is much more powerful than the ’how it looks’. You don't need to walk in heels in the workshop, people do it in trainers and barefoot as well.” ”I give a little tutorial on some technique but it’s really about conjuring Drag Energy. This energy comes from oppression transformed into expression and that is a special kind of magic that can change the world.” Taking up space even if it’s not given to you takes confidence which is not given for any oppressed minority. Jay recently did a photo sketch from their investigation about the impact of the queer experience on trauma. ”I discovered throughout my whole life delving into my queer experience as an artist that trauma is given to us as LGBTI people and it’s a life of unlearning to let that go or transform it. Through that process of learning, investigating and unlearning we can make real changes to ourselves and by sharing that journey we can really help others and the wider community. We live in a very heterosexist world and I simply want to normalize our existence and feel safe.” Creating safer spaces doesn’t exclude the environment - as a Costume Designer Jay doesn’t see an alternative to creating sustainable fashion. ”If you are creating anything in this contemporary context you must commit to sustainability or I feel your work is void of opinion on any subject and completely based on ego and capitalism.” ”It’s hard to work more sustainably sometimes but those restrictions breed change and that is essential for our survival. I love making things but no matter how incredible it is, it is just another thing, so make it count and lower its impact on the environment or there will be no more resources or people to costume anyway.” Jay Berry for Playful Magazine Speaking of, we’ve been having a long year and may sometimes have to remind ourselves that it’s summer and things are slowly coming back to what somewhat resembles normality. Jay’s perfect summer day in Berlin may be what you should look into doing on your next day off. ”My perfect summer day includes waking up early with the sunrise, meditating, then cooking a stunning vegan breakfast with organic produce from the local street markets and package free supermarket. Packing a picnic and cycling to the lakes with friends where we can lay naked in the grass and swim feeling free and connected to nature.” ”Jumping back on our bikes and heading to Templehofer Feld where I host a Drag Energy Catwalk workshop. We pump up some music and dance and catwalk the runway at sunset waving at the passers-by and sharing the joy.” ”After that we’re grabbing some pizza and sit on the canal chatting about life and all its wonders. Heading home to my peaceful haven and reading until I fall asleep knowing tomorrow I wake up to this fabulous city once again.” Jay’s tip’s: • Favourite restaurant: Magic Johns Pizza , Mitte. Frea , Mitte. • Favourite lake: Schlachtensee for the rope swing, Teufelsee for the nudity and queers. • Favourite clothing store: UY • Favourite park: Tempelhofer Feld • Favorite summer activity: Stretch Festival by The Village or Dose of Pleasure by Alvin Collantes • Favourite (Berlin based) musician: Mikey Woodbridge • Favourite hidden gem: Unverpakt the package free supermarket For updates regarding Drag Energy Catwalk - go follow: @jazbazmaz @jaybarrymatthews www.jaybarrymatthews.com

5 of our best flea markets in Berlin. Photo: Emma Maar The best places to cure your hangover. Markets in Berlin are a culture in itself. They give you a glimpse into each neighborhood, while giving you a reason to get out of yours. We guide you to Berlins best markets, as well as recommend some delicious finds. Wochenmarkt Boxhagener Platz Every Saturday 9:30- 15:30 Boxhagener Kiez is a lovely neighborhood, every Saturday it becomes filled with delicious food and fresh produce, as well as other great discoveries. My favorite hangover cure, are the Ukrainian/Russian dumplings, specifically the potato dumplings, with extra sriracha sauce and parsley. Flohmarkt am Rathaus Schöneberg- Every Saturday and Sunday 8:00- 16:00 This market is great for antique finds, books and all sorts of miscellaneous second hand goods. Rathaus Schöneberg is located right next to Volkspark Wilmersdorf , which is a beautiful park to spend a Sunday afternoon. Karl August Platz Markt Every Wednesday (8:00-14:00) and Saturday (8:00-13:00) Every Wednesday and Saturday Fresh produce, flowers and small delights surround the beautiful church that lies in the middle of Karl August Platz. There is a food truck which creates a killer Halloumi Burger worth fantasizing about. Arkonaplatz Market Every Sunday 10:00-16:00 This is a very good alternative if you want to avoid tourists and massive crowds in Mauerpark, since it just walking distance apart. It's a place to get furnitures from the 50s and 60s in various condition. Except from that, you'll find old camera equipment, art, clothes and lots of vinyls. We love this cozy neighborhood market. Nowkoelln Markt Every second Sunday 10:00- 17:00 Located by the spree, this cosy flea market's focus is on second hand clothes, art and music. But also various selections of hand made jewelry. Hipster alert, but we're all hipsters.

By: Filip Sandström Beijer Photos: Henry Belasczesckul for Marta PR The 75-year-old techno influencer is currently surviving on his memories from his wild pre-pandemic days. Now he can’t wait to resume ecstatic dancing with his fellow rave Berliners. Günther Krabbenhöft is probably Berlin's best dancing 75-year-old and one of the city's biggest joy-spreaders on social media. And for me, coming from the countryside, life in Berlin was very exciting. Moving from the countryside and a small village outside of Hannover to Berlin in 1968, Günther Krabbenhöft arrived in a city split by a wall. “Berlin has always been changing. This city is never finished. When I came to Berlin in 1968, it was still a walled-in front city that was only accessible only by plane or in a complicated way via roads through the GDR. And for me, coming from the countryside, life in Berlin was very exciting.” In Berlin there were restaurants, clubs and bars that caught Günther’s attention, but as a family father he lived what he describes as a relatively normal life, watching what happened in the leisure and party sector as the city developed. Today he’s personally connected to that scene, something that became an ingredient in his life quite late. “When I first moved here, I was married and had a family, so I didn’t go to clubs that much. That only happened much later, around 19… Oh my god, let me think… Maybe 12 years later, that’s when I started diving into the clubbing scene, which was a real revelation!” When Berlin was still split by the wall he describes West Berlin as a smaller community easy to get an overview off. “We went to the hippest bars and discos in Berlin, for example the “Dschungel”, and we knew who we would meet there, and who were the important or interesting people who were dancing in certain other discos. Of course, there were always a handful of the coolest places, but the “Dschungel” was the bomb for me personally, and that’s where I went.” This was a situation where much was possible – illegal clubs started to emerge, parties that were only announced shortly in advance became common… After the fall of the wall, when the eastern and western parts of the city united, a lot of new places opened up and Berlin quickly changed. “This was a situation where much was possible – illegal clubs started to emerge, parties that were only announced shortly in advance became common… All these things were opening up, and it was a crazy exciting time.” “Right now, I am surviving only on memories of those wild days of the past.” As for most of us, 2020 was a year of unpredicted change with the pandemic. For Günther Krabbenhöft, who luckily kept busy with his debut book release. ”It was hard for everyone, and for me as well. In 2020, I was in the last phase of the publication of my book “Sei einfach Du” (“Just be You”). I was very busy with that, and initially I was only noticing the restrictions in the periphery, because I was so immersed in my project. Of course, we could all feel the limitations, but there were still possibilities. I didn’t feel like it was too hard for me. In summer, there were still some events where we could dance, while sticking to hygiene rules. At some of these events we had to wear masks. There were restrictions, but still it was possible to do things.” “At that point, I was really focusing on thinking positively, on how we could adapt and make the best of this new, different situation. This freed up new thoughts and energies as well. Meeting friends and staying busy with my project is what helped me the most to keep up my good mood. So, I didn’t feel that this was a problem for me during that period.” If 2020 was a year that caught us off guard, 2021 is a year of hope. We’re looking into a spring and summer with open airs and hanging out with friends again. Günther can’t wait to visit friends and family, but he also longs for clubs and dancing. “I will definitely do some wild, ecstatic dancing with hundreds of people who love raves, techno and house music as much as I do. I’m so much looking forward to being part of an ecstatic crowd again and that feeling of being carried by the music and being shot into outer space, and then blissfully coming back down to Earth after many hours, having this feeling that I always used to have after a great night of clubbing: floating like a hovercraft and just thinking: ‘Wow, how amazing is this feeling, to be able to experience the music and these ecstatic moments together with so many people!’ This is what I would love to do as the very first thing!” Sometimes Berlin is like a slightly rough friend, who can drive you crazy Living in Berlin for so many years, Günther’s persona is connected to the city. He doesn’t praise Berlin for its esthetics but for the people living here and creating it. “I think the best thing about Berlin is the people! It’s the people who make Berlin what it is. Of course, Berlin has many nice places, but it’s not in itself a beautiful city. It’s an exciting city, and it’s so special mostly because of the people who live here. I always say this, this is the unique thing about Berlin. Coming together with the people here, the exchange and the spirit – that’s what I love about Berlin. Sometimes Berlin is like a slightly rough friend, who can drive you crazy, but at the same time makes you feel so much love and can give you so much affection! That’s how I see it, and that’s what Berlin is for me: Berlin is simply the best!” In other interviews Günther is often referred to as the “hipster grandpa”. We’re asking him what he thinks of the nickname. “I find this a little silly, I don’t know who came up with this idea to call me a hipster Grandpa. I have a picture of a hipster in my head, and it’s a cliché, it’s putting someone in a box. A hipster is someone with a manbun and a fixed-gear bicycle and an organic cotton carrier bag over his shoulder. No, that is definitely not me.” But once the media have given you a label like that, it can be really hard to get rid of it – something he experiences. “On top of that, someone also claimed that I was 104 years old, which only added to the hype! And I was just thinking: ‘Oh, great…’ At the beginning I was annoyed and tried to correct the facts, but then I thought: ‘Wow, if I can be 104 and still have so much fun and joy in life, then – yes, I would like to be 104 and live the kind of life that the media is ascribing to me’” As a long–time Berliner in love with the rave and techno scene, Günther’s club memories abound. Most of them involve meeting new people. But there is also some naughty stuff that he insists on keeping to himself. When we try to push him, we get the answer: “ You see… That’s a question where I have to be careful not to get myself into a sticky situation… My wildest memories are not appropriate to be printed, and I do not want to make them public. The wildest memories are always the ones you prefer to keep to yourself, or maybe only share them with your very best friends. They don’t belong in an interview. Otherwise, the interview would get censored, if I was to actually, tell you my wildest memories. So, I’m going to remain silent on this and just enjoy my memories.”

It’s a theme in Berlin to do businesses on low culture rather than high culture. Some people jester in front of cars waiting for green light, and others spank people in clubs. Playful got curious about Kamila who makes very ugly plates. Yes, they’re named Very Ugly Plates. Why Very Ugly Plates? "I knew they will be naughty and in polish "naughty" is the same word as ”ugly”, like dirty in english. I didn't like to go with "dirty" as no one likes dirty plates, and I like when people tell me that they’re not ugly." How did you get the idea to start making them? "I support some charity organisations in Poland and one of them was organizing an auction. I saw there was a cute mini plate with baby seals and it was so cute that I wanted to paint something dirty on it. The whole idea started from that point. When I was waiting for that plate to be announced for bidding, I bought another one, which says happily unemployed. I posted them on Facebook and all my friend went crazy, so I decided to continue that project and open an Instagram account" What people buy them? "Every person with a sense of humor may buy my plates! Age, sex or religion doesn't matter. It's important for me to have different plates so everyone can find something that would make them smile. Some of them are super naughty, and some are just cute and family friendly." What about Berlin inspires you with the motives? "Berlin is an absolutely special place for me. It's my home that I chose when I was a teenager. It gives me a lot of disappointment, and I guess that’s the most inspiring feeling to me. Most of the plates were inspired by some events with my friends. Currently on my Instagram I let people guess if it was based on a real story or not and after that I told the story behind." Which one is THE ugliest? "The one with a hand painted dog from the 80s that says 'mom says I'm marvelous'." What does your grandma say about these plates? "My grandma is dead but the rest of my family loves them. As my parents don't speak english, I always translate to them what it says on the new plates. Though I skipped the one about squirting since I was worried I might have had to explain what that is to them."

Playful met Lucy at an empty MONOM before his underground label ’Stroboscopic Artefacts’ celebrated its ten years anniversary. Written by: Amanda Sandström Beijer Lucy Morellaro The huge space at MONOM is empty as they’re building the coulisse where people will start entering in a couple of hours. We talked to Lucy, the nom de techno of Luca Mortellaro, about his past ten years in the city and about Berlin’s unique energy as well as the club death and of course, his own record-label that has passed the ten year mark. ”I want to create something that is cutting edge. Something that is pushing forward from where the scene is standing at the moment.” The name Lucy is an old story - not only is it the name attributed to the oldest human remains ever found, it’s also the pseudonym that Luca Mortello used when he was still writing novels and short stories. ”When I ’transformed’ from a writer to a musician, which was a continuation of my way to express myself, I kept the same artistic name.” Lucy moved to Berlin eleven years ago to start his now ten years old label - Stroboscopic Artefacts. ”I moved to Berlin in 2008 because it was a very open place to start a record label. It isn’t anymore though, but back then it was. Not only did he release the compilation ‘X - Ten Years of Artefacts’ featuring key artists from the label such as Luke Slater, Rrose, Efdemin, Shifted, Chevel, Alessandro Adriani and also Lucy’s collaborations with Rrose (Lotus Eater) and Speedy J (Zeitgeber) . But this January he followed it up with a second release where he revisited four pivotal tracks from the imprint’s catalogue originally by Donato Dozzy, Caterina Barbieri, Lucy, Ben Klock and Xhin . Hearing all these names, you kind of get a feeling that Lucy isn’t strictly limited to music, but also excels in managing energies between people. Though he might not express it like that. ”When it’s about making music, I can’t be political. I cut it short. If there is no feeling, I’ll end it immediately. I normally have a good ability to feel this, and then I stop it straight away. For example when I feel that things are not spontaneous somehow or if there’s too much expectations or too commercial. I am not interested in that.” And if you wanna create stuff that is progressive I guess you can’t compromise? Anyway, meeting Lucy I understand that he doesn’t wait around. He’s effective, witty and responsive. I’d like to deduce that he has tremendous respect for underground music and its development. ”The underground music industry is so dynamic. It’s so evolving, so quick and so wild, that for what I want to do, which is creating something that is cutting edge. Something that is pushing forward from where the scene is standing at the moment, and if you want to do that, then you need to be constantly on the alert about what is going on around you. Not only when it comes to absorbing what is going on, but also that you are actively contributing through the platform to that scene. It’s like a two-sided, very complex relationship.” Outer or inner pressure will often kill inspiration. But to Lucy it’s pretty much the opposite. Though he uses some techniques that come handy when outer and inner pressures are out of balance. ”When I feel that too much is going on inside me emotionally, I need to calm it down somehow and that is where I use a lot of techniques that belong to meditation, yoga and these kinds of things that I am also very passionate about. They’re tools I use to smoothen down some pretty harsh cores of my creativity so that they don’t become self-destructive. I have to be in balance between these tensions.” ”I don’t think there is any other place in Europe that has such a concentration of extreme energies as Berlin” Having lived in Berlin for more than eleven years, me and Lucy discuss what makes the city a creative hub - what uniqueness you find in Berlin that some of us can’t seem to find elsewhere. ”I think the most amazing thing about the city is a direct consequence of its history. I don’t think there is any other place in Europe that has such a concentration of extreme energies over the past 70-80 years. So todays Berlin is the result of that. I don’t think there are any places, that have so much cultural intensity going on - from World war to Cold war, to a wall dividing the city and then the fall of that wall - to screams of freedom and anarchy. The incredible boom in the artistic community and a very interesting capital that has been protected of gentrification for a while. And all of a sudden it's completely falling in to that trap at a crazy pace. That’s what is interesting to me about Berlin. These kinds of wild energies that go from one place to another. I have never seen it as a balanced place.” ”Even though these people didn’t give a fuck about earning money – it was really mostly about clubbing in a very anarchistic way.” It’s probably these energies that make people feel free, independent and relaxed here and that attracts tourists from all over the world to its club scene. Although, simultaneously, times are changing and we are facing a phenomenon some call the ’Club death’. ”It’s a big problem that clubs are threatened in Berlin. The same phenomenon that clubs have been feeding on is now also destroying the clubs, in a way. These huge waves of tourism are fueling the city, and for the last 10-15 years there has been so much of this money reaching the underground scene, even though these people didn’t give a fuck about earning money – it was really mostly about clubbing in a very anarchistic way. And it’s not like that anymore. Now instead it’s business plans making their way, and when that kind of money starts to invade a city, it changes. Well the reason why the city started to explode was the same as always. These phenomena in a capitalistic system bring up the other side of the coin. That’s the circle completed, you can’t escape it. You can surely take measures to suspend it, but that’s something that belongs mainly to politicians, sadly. And most of the time they have a very specific mind-set, and they’re not in contact with the underground culture. And the underground is the one big soil of the club scene in Berlin.” Luca is not the kind of person who prepares himself for what is coming, neither thinking of stuff he did, as ’mistakes he could have avoided’. Instead it’s very important for him to let life be. Same goes when it comes to the Club death - not getting nostalgic but instead looking back with joy as well as forward to the future. It’s not difficult to understand that his preferred parties in Berlin have been when he himself has performed. ”Label showcases particularly in Berghain. Those have always been very special, because it’s something beyond clubbing. This is a totally special energy board that is always transcending into something else. It’s been extremely beautiful and a big fuel for my creativity as a platform. As well as some of my closing sets, when I have been playing for 13, 14,15 hours for a very open-minded crowd”, he laughs. Lucys 3 favorite clubs in Berlin: – Berghain – OHM – Some of the Herrensauna parties

Playful Podcast is releasing a New Years Episode with our only techno guru Nur Jaber. Nur Jaber in Playfyl Podcast The Beirut born producer and DJ is a leading figure on Berlin’s techno scene, and she’s also a spiritual being – we therefore think it’s the perfect fit to welcome 2023 together. In this episode we speak about: All things woo-woo, breath work, morning routines that will make you feel at peace, manifestation - and Nur is sharing her tips on how to manifest what you want for 2023.

We speak to Samantha Togni about her upbringing – feeling as a misfit in Italy, the free party movement in Italy, choice of pursuing a career within music, and of course – the push for equality within the scene and her work behind Boudica, a platform aimed to give visibility to women, trans+ and nonbinary people. What 3 words would you use to describe yourself? Resilient, curious, kind Who were you as a teenager? As a teenager, I used to live in a remote corner of Italy, where there wasn't much happening, especially in terms of arts and culture. Growing up in that environment, I quickly realised I didn't quite fit into the highly heteronormative standards of the village. Around the age of 12 or 13, I randomly found a CD of "Suffer" by Bad Religion at the local library. That album opened up a whole new world for me. I started to get into Punk and Hardcore and being a child of Myspace that platform allowed me to get out of that village even if it was just online. I connected with other misfits across Italy who to this day are part of my close circle of friends. From the age of 14 I was travelling up and down Italy to go to shows. It still blows my mind how much ground we covered just to get to different venues, squats, to catch our favourite bands and simply be together. I remember vividly my first gig at the legendary La Gabbia (The Cage) in Bassano, where I saw The Exploited. My parents were out of town and told me to stay at home, of course I followed the instructions by jumping on a bus and travel for 200km to go to the gig.  I will never forget the feeling in that room while we were all there soaking in sweat under one roof - it was all about belonging, freedom, community. We were part of something, without judgement or need to conform. It's this ethos that I carry with me into my work and with Boudica. My aim is to create a space where others can find acceptance, embrace their true selves and feel the same sense of liberation that I found in those early gigs. My mum is one of my best friends now, tho I still have not told her the story but yes, we can definitely agree that I was a naughty teenager. Was there ever a specific moment when you decided for a path within electronic music/ could you tell us about that? The last year I spent in Italy I connected more to the free party movement and again travelled up and down Italy for my first raves in Florence, Arezzo, Turin…Raves were filled with Tekno, Frenchcore, Hardcore Techno, people and attitude were very similar from what I experienced up until then and I was hanging out in both the raves and gigs scene. It all was part of one world to me. When I was 16 I went for a Summer in London, I worked there giving out flyers and I honestly was totally hooked by the city. I was not even 18 when I moved to London, and that’s where I totally fell in love with Electronic Music. I loved those years because everyone was playing such hectic selection of music and DJs were definitely more brave.. from bass to nu-rave, house, garage, techno - there was no rules and no snobs, this said, to blend all this different stuff together there was definitely a lot of taste and research. From Punk years in Italy to free parties to London raves, I knew that music would have played a major component in my life. A few years later I was a core member of queer collective called Dirty Diana, I started DJing the opening slot and it snowballed into what is a career and this silly and amazing life I am living. What would you do for work if music wouldn’t be an option/ and why? Right now, I’d be drawn to something completely different—probably a return to the land, away from the city. I want to reconnect with nature and get my hands dirty. Pigs and donkeys have a special place in my heart, so I’d happily devote my life to caring for them. A life away from screens sounds pretty dreamy.To be honest with you, I am already building something related to this, me and my mum and sister share a special bond and we’re launching a vegan farmhouse in Tuscany this year. Being plant-based for over a decade is something that's really important to me. 10+ years ago I read Jonathan Safran Foer's "Eating Animals” and have not looked back since. Building this it’s a dream we are making reality and luckily without having to give up Techno.  Have you ever felt that music is separating women and non binary folks? If so, could you tell us what that can look like/ What you’ve noticed? Music has historically being a reflection of societal norms, including those related to gender, with most genres and industry roles predominantly dominated by cis white males.  Sexism is entrenched within the industry with roles such as composers, producers, being predominantly occupied by male figures. This lack of representation make it less likely for women, trans+ and non-binary folks to consider it as a career. Sexual harassment is a real issue, especially for FLINTA* individuals within the music community. Our industry and culture needs to change completely to allow female, non-binary, trans+ people and other gender minorities people to feel safe on stage, behind the scenes and on the dancefloor. Representation is crucial for inspiring the next generation of music. If you can’t see people that look like you in certain roles, it becomes harder to picture yourself undertaking a career in it. Leading labels, organisations, venues, and festivals need to put their money where their mouth is and offer programs, opportunities, training, and education to amplify marginalised voices and create a more equitable ecosystem. Us independent collectives can make noise but it in comparison what we can do has limitations. It’s also important to acknowledge the progress that has been made, thanks to countless initiatives focused on diversity, inclusion and gender equity, as well as voices speaking out against sexism, sexual harassment and ageism. This has led to greater awareness and accountability within the industry. Things are slowly changing. Why is it important to support women/ queer people/ non binary folks in this business? Music is an art form that thrives on diverse perspectives to remain authentic. It's essential to have different voices talking about their experiences through music; imagine hearing the same story told by the same people repeatedly – it would be so dull. Everyone talks about the saturation of the music industry today, which I partially understand and can agree with. However I find it so amazing that it has become so accessible, a teenager in a remote area of the world with limited resources can create a tune using a crappy laptop, distribute it for ten bucks, and share it with the world. Music shouldn't be exclusive, it's something for everyone, especially Techno. You don't need to comprehend it fully, speak its language, or even be a good dancer – you just need an open mind and simply feel it. Not to be cliché, but it truly serves as a universal language. And if only a few can understand and speak it, it loses its ultimate purpose of connecting people, right? By giving opportunities to women, trans+, queer and non-binary folks the industry unlocks a new world of innovative ideas and networks that can push the music world to new exciting directions.It 's not just about representation; it's about reclaiming space and making sure everyone's story is heard loud and clear. We are building a future where everyone's gets the spotlight.This automatically also expands on who participates and consumes music, new audiences and markets will allow the music world to be more sustainable on a financial level allowing us all to thrive and keep on doing what we love. Can you tell us about your drive behind Boudica? I spent a few years teaching at this Music Academy in London, we had such a variety of people coming through but what really struck me is how young girls, trans+ and non-binary individuals, especially those from a lower socio-economic background, are made feel so invalid by a society that tells them they are not good enough or they could never fulfil their dreams and they are here just to figure out how to survive in this world.  These people have all the rights to thrive, and this is why Boudica was born - to allow them to flourish and access opportunities and knowledge that are gate-kept or not easily accessible. Boudica was established in 2019 as a platform for women, trans+, and non-binary folks. Shortly after its birth, we were hit by the lockdown. I had to find ways to connect with our community and continue our mission, and that’s when Boudica Music Conference was born. Even amidst the strict lockdown, I wanted to put together a series of talks between  my direct network of people working in music. It didn’t take long for it to snowball into a full conference involving the biggest music organisations in the UK and some truly inspiring individuals.  I put this on with no budget or sponsors, pretty much without an income at that point aside from teaching, it was not easy but I wanted for this to happen. People came together despite the circumstances to discuss ways to address the gender imbalance in the industry and inspire other gender minorities sitting at home during those challenging times. The conference is always streamed for free and available online. Prices for the in-person event are kept very low, and it's free for those who cannot afford it and students. It's crucial for us that everyone can access this information without any barriers.  The educational aspect of Boudica is a big part of the project. We have a partnership with Pioneer DJ and have taken our DJ workshops throughout Europe alongside our talks.  It has always been a dream of mine to have Boudica pressed on vinyl. Our label has hosted incredible talents like Jasmine Infiniti, Metáraph, and Animistic Beliefs and it continues to grow. In the spirit of Boudica, we always try to offer new opportunities to others. We opened up a track slot on the last vinyl we pressed, and the callout was open to the world. We received hundreds of applications. The artist we picked was then also mentored by the other artists on the vinyl and myself. At Boudica, we also love a party with our extended queer family and we are proud to call FOLD our home. This venue holds a special place in my heart and I am immensely grateful to Lasha and the team for providing us with this space and allowing us to bring our event and conference there.  What are some names that you’d love playing B2B with? A B2B with Peaches or Skin would be iconic What do you do to gain inspiration when feeling uninspired? I always block some time during the week to dedicate to music, and it’s rare that I have to stop producing  because I am not inspired. I don’t really look for inspiration, I try not to not overthink, usually starting with a kick and pushing myself to continue making music. I actually think that nowadays we are over-stimulated when talking about electronic music, with so many free tools and sounds available. I recently hard reset my computer after 10+ years. I had so much clutter on it - plugins, VSTs, etc. I packed away some of my synths that I wasn't using, and it honestly helped my workflow so much. Definitely the less is more approach helped me to get out of creative blocks. What’s your view on the touring lifestyle that nowadays DJ’s have? / And sustaining mental health as an artist? It’s definitely a real rollercoaster, and I've gotten better at navigating it, but I haven't mastered how to deal with it completely. On one hand, you have the buzz, the crowds, the adrenaline, and on the other hand, you constantly have to stay on top of things to maintain momentum, the sleepless nights, the travel - most of which is done alone. It does take a toll on your mental health because no matter how hard one tries, it's difficult to maintain a routine when you're constantly facing different timings and time zones. During the week, I stick to a strict sleep routine, eat clean, and spend time with the people I love. Having a strong network around you that supports you through thick and thin is essential. I am a bit of a workaholic and spend a lot of time planning, making music, working on Boudica, etc.. However, I am becoming much better at allocating time to focus on non-music-related stuff and prioritise. Also I am a big fan of podcasts, there’s this episode of Inner Truth with Jamie Catto from Faithless and it’s so good.. highly recommend. If you could dream - what would the electronic music scene look like in 20 years? /What would change? I hope to see more FLINTA*-owned venues, security team and people behind  the scenes representing diverse backgrounds - from sound engineering to A&R. More grants and funds allocated specifically for minorities and more recognition for artists from working-class backgrounds. Hopefully governments would have awakened to the importance of clubs for culture and the economy. I am very concerned for the survival of low to mid cap venues, as costs continue to go up, making it increasingly challenging for them to survive. I hope they find ways to thrive.  I’love to to see a shift towards a more authentic and less performative environment. A scene where people feel comfortable being honest and vulnerable with each other, a genuine sense of community where we can support and care for each other. Also hoping that I don’t have to wait 20 years to see this all happening…

By: Filip Sandström Beijer Montreal based TDJ is coming to Europe and making a stop in Berlin, March 22. We had a chat about her new track, techno versus trance and touring. How's 2024 treating you? It's been great so far. I’m in Tokyo right now, enjoying life before the first show of my Asia tour on Friday! You've got a new track, "Come Back Home," coming out on February 22nd. Want to tell us about it? It’s my first release of 2024  It’s about a relationship that never really found closure and the feeling of chasing after something forever. It will definitely feel good to release this one.   Will we see more amazing video creations, as with SPF INFINI, in the future?  Definitely. Something big (long) is on the way.. You started your musical journey in the mid-2010s under the name RYAN Playground. Want to take us aboard that journey until where you are today with TDJ? How would you say you have been evolving? My previous project felt more like an exploration. After releasing my first album, I felt the need to start something new. I was obsessed with trance music and needed a new output of creation in which I could re-imagine the way I could present my music and myself. As we understand, Tiësto is a big inspiration and someone who has influenced you musically since you were a child. Who else were you listening to as a child, and what influences from other artists have you been incorporating into your productions today? Haha, I did discover Tiësto when I was a kid with Adagio For Strings. Loved it instantly. ️ But I did not really stick to listening to trance at that time. I was more into pop-punk music. Obsessed with Blink 182, Gob, Sum 41, MXPX, and stuff like that. You're coming to Berlin soon, the city of techno, perhaps not as big of a trance town. What is your relationship with Berlin? I love playing here, always have a good time with the trance and not-trance heads, haha. Hardcore techno fans can sometimes view trance as a genre as "sensitive." Why do you think that is? I think it’s super subjective. Any genre can bring you to tears really. But for sure trance music can maybe take you more easily on a very special emotional and uplifting journey. In 2024, you will have your busiest year yet, touring the world. I hope you enjoy traveling? Yes, very busy year ahead. I love traveling, especially for touring. I love having a clear purpose when traveling, not only for vacation you know. Really excited for what’s to come. Also working on an album.

Article presented by LM PR Agency. DJ Flatbeat, AKA Sam Jaggi, speaks to Playful about founding his own label, self-expression, the club scene in Switzerland as well as his new project with Calvin Parker. And he's hoping to open his long lived dream to open his own club in 2024. DJ FLATBEAT, how’s 2023 been treating you? Since my children are now at an independent age, I have regained my freedom to revitalize my DJ career. Throughout this year, I have achieved a lot and played at many new locations. Looking back, performing at Ritter Butzke was undoubtedly one of my most memorable experiences in 2023. Additionally, I had the privilege of founding a new label with my friends (Audio & People) and enjoyed collaborations with Beepd Music & LM PR Agency, as well as meeting many new wonderful people. Flatbeat is firmly rooted in the Tech-house and Techno scene, with Techno gaining more prominence over time. Techno is where I began my career in 1998, and it brings me great joy to see this genre regaining attractiveness. Playing Techno again at a party this summer after over 20 years felt like coming home and reignited my passion. However, I also have a playful and very emotional side that I needed an outlet for. That's why Calvin Parker and I founded the DiVa Collective a month ago. Together, we play Melodic House & Techno, representing opposites. Our sound is like a warm embrace for the soul, an expression of love and dedication to music. We aim for our collaborative work to touch and enchant many hearts. As a producer, how would you describe your music? As I have only released one track recently, I can't say much about it yet. Currently, I'm more in the background, supporting my colleagues with their productions. Drawing on years of experience in various music genres that I've played and my musical education from my youth, I'm using these skills to contribute. Since our label specializes in Melodic House & Techno, I'm not sure if I'll release a production under Flatbeat, but if I do, it will likely be Techhouse. What does your creative process look like? I've never really thought about what my creative process looks like. Everything happens through feeling for me. Does it feel right? What does it evoke in me? What does the listener/audience feel? I refine this until it feels harmonious for me There are no rules for me here, as only the feeling matters, and I believe this is palpable in my sets. You’re often adding elements of drag, can you tell us more about your relation to drag? Regarding my feminine personality, I've carried that with me since childhood. I feel more comfortable and attractive in this role. I've received feedback that when I express my femininity, there's a glow about me that isn't present otherwise. While I'm attracted to women, I don't see myself as a woman but as a very feminine man. Sharing this publicly as I am and disregarding societal norms took a lot of courage and led me through many highs and lows. I believe everyone should be who they are and feel good. Those who can accept that are the most wonderful people. However, it's crucial to be able to separate oneself from societal norms and what others think. Everyone should be loved for who they are, and that's what I fight for. There's a beautiful saying that encapsulates this quite well: 'Happiness begins where you decide not to care.' So, that's me. It's not just a stage presence but how I feel. The beauty is that I can be myself at events and don't have to pretend. Switzerland is not the most famous place for it’s electronic music scene, where is the best place to go out, do you have any hidden gems? Yes, that's really difficult. That's also the reason why it's very difficult for DJs from Switzerland to become known. Switzerland has many beautiful events in the Alps that are truly unparalleled. Examples include Arosa Electronica, Sunice Festival, and many more. In terms of clubs, the usual suspects are D-Club Lausanne, Nordstern Basel, Viertel Basel, and Hive Zürich. What are your plans for 2024? For 2024, I want to be on stage more and release my own tracks. I also hope to fulfil my long-awaited dream of owning my own club. So, if anyone is interested in booking, I'm currently planning my year.

The Milanese Producer speaks to Playful about his new EP "EUPHORIA" and its influences. But also his background as a pianist and student at the music academy, and what that brings to his sound today. You've got a new EP 'Euphoria' that was released last week. Can you tell us about it and what has been influencing you? My latest EP EUPHORIA represents two worlds and two sounds that coexist in the Techno music genre, lighter sounds like in Midnight Ride and Green Hornet which contrast with darker sounds like those present in We Move, Techno Appeal and Inner Voices. I decided to represent this duality of sound in my latest EP because I strongly think that it can satisfy different types of ravers, without focusing the entire project on a single exact form of hard Techno. There are many elements that influenced me in the realization of this project such as science fiction films such as Blade Runner 20249 or Oblivion, whose soundtracks in particular I am a great admirer of, and also books such as Jorge Orwell's 1984 which inspired me led to write the screenplay for my short film made in collaboration with the great 3D Designer Leonardo Silva (itwasleo) for the single from my EP, Midnight Ride. You have a background as a pianist and a composition student. Is this something that shines through in your work today? Having been a student at the music academy was fundamental and is an element that influenced my personality as an artist and consequently also the music I create. Over time I specialized in other areas of contemporary electronic music production, such as sound design and the use of very complex and modular instruments of all kinds, always taking advantage of the notions learned previously which allowed me to have a 360 degree vision of the various applications that the world of music can have. As we've seen, you're also putting a lot of work into your videos. Can you talk more about what visuality means to you? Visualization is an aspect of my identity as an artist which is certainly very important. I have decided to collaborate with many of the greatest artists who are currently there as Graphic Designer for the creation of 3D videos relating to the tracks I have produced so far. This because I think that In the near future, music and image will increasingly be inextricably linked to each other; there will be a radical change in terms of entertainment in the world of clubs which is already present on a large scale by the major exponents of electronic music. My ultimate goal is to also provide, during my future sets, the possibility of experiencing some visuals that can make the raver even more personally immersive inside the club. What are two or three ingredients you always add to your productions? In my productions my percussions can never be missing which I create inside my modular Euro Rack and Moog. these two machines are very complex and allow the sound timbre to be modeled so that the final product can be as original and unique as possible, this The latter were used in the darkest of my latest EP Euphoria. Furthermore, the Roland Jupiter X, Main Lead of my latest single Midnight Ride, can never be missing from my productions. You started DJing already as a kid. What has your journey taught you about the dance floor and what ravers want? I started at a very young age, I experienced the clubbing life thanks to my father who accompanied me to the clubs. The first impact was definitely very strong but over time I managed to understand the dynamics and life of clubbing and in the figure of the raver is particular. I believe that every raver, including myself, is in the club to be able to experience their most hidden personality from the eyes of society, a welcoming place that can be called home for many, a place where they can make friends, fall in love and obviously have fun. What are your upcoming plans for 2024? My plans for 2024 are the introduction of my new artistic identity which will mainly be aimed at the Hard Techno genre. I already have numerous EPs in production and finalized that will be released throughout 2024, each EP will have a single inside which will be accompanied by a 3D video created in collaboration with other artists related to the world of the metaverse with whom I will try to bring ahead my dystopian-apocalyptic scenario which will act as a visualizer for my Hard Techno tracks and obviously for the various club dates that I will start doing very soon. Furthermore, numerous Essential Mixes will be released on my YouTube channel which I will produce in various locations around the world, and the starting point where I will reveal my new artistic and musical identity will be the capital of techno in the world, namely the wonderful Berlin. #staytuned #maikedepas2024 Follow Mike Depas on various platforms.

Article presented by LM PR Agency. We spoke with Hamburg based DJ and Producer Mosha, about how to create a track from scratch to finnish as well as the differences between Berlin and his hometown. Mosha, how would you describe the music that you produce? I would describe my music as techno. They are songs that are DJ-friendly, and the themes or the sounds of the songs are also very distinct. But the basic theme of the songs is techno. I have a lot of things going on right now, and my next productions will be released on the Australian independent label "S7 Records." The songs are produced at 130 bpm, and the sound is very straightforward, characterized by long monotonous parts that invite you to dance. I intentionally made sure that the sound design in these productions aligns with the loop techno area. As a producer, it was important for me to create a structure in which the song is clear. For explanation, I try to divide the song into 4 phases: At the beginning, the song starts with a straight part > this is suitable for DJs to be able to mix it better! The DJ doesn't necessarily have to use a loop to mix the song. Then there is a break to signal that the song will now build up. In this part, various sounds are added (drums + hi-hats + and the theme builds up! until the next break. After the break, the song is reduced (drums + hi-hats are reduced) but the theme remains! This is an arc of suspense to enrich the song again with drums and hi-hats! until the song reaches its climax! Then the song is rebuilt, and the individual sounds are reduced, ending with a part where the DJ can mix in the next song! This is roughly what one of the productions will look like. How was 2023? The year has been very good; I have developed a lot as a producer. I have started working more with vinyl and am in contact with a recording studio in Hamburg! Also, as I mentioned, I work with an Australian music label. As a DJ, the year was also exciting. I was able to play at a few events in Hamburg, and I also played at different radio shows, including on “Ibiza Stardust Radio.” I was also able to gain new contacts in the music industry, such as organizers and club owners. And the best for me,... I now have a permanent PR agency “LM PR Agency.” The collaboration is really great and will continue in 2024! Which I'm very proud of. But I would say that for a musician in the techno scene, it's all normal activities. I realized that I really like this and want to continue working in the music industry. I would say that my mindset is continuing to develop. It's very varied and just fun. I think that's also very important when you work with music. You must have fun with it! You shouldn't do this for money; you just have to like it, and the passion has to come naturally! As a producer, what are three ingredients you always involve in your productions? Firstly, I think of the structure of some tracks. I usually work with 3 breaks. When it comes to relaxed or house tracks, I sometimes work with several breaks. Second, it's important to me that the song starts straight and lasts about 1-2 minutes. This is primarily intended to be DJ-friendly, meaning that the DJ has time to mix the track. Of course, from a technical point of view, today you can loop any track and make the mix the way you want. But everyone is different. When I play a track as a DJ, I trust the producer and let the track play the way the producer planned it. I think that's the only way to convey the mood of the song to the audience. By technically intervening in a track, you can change the mood by looping or setting cue points. But every DJ has to decide for themselves. I think this also applies to the end of a song. The last point, I would like to talk about the idea of a track. This is perhaps something personal. The first two points are technical implementations that you can hear in the songs. But what you don't hear directly is the idea behind the song! When you listen to electronic music or listen a little more closely to techno, you sometimes hear common elements or things that sound the same. This can also be certain stylistic things. This happens when certain things are hyped in the music scene, or a specific electronic sound is very popular. It's important for me at this point to distance myself from such things because my motivation is to create something new. The sound of my tracks is different from other producers. I think it's a pity when a lot of sounds in electronic music have the same style or the same elements. For a diverse electronic music landscape, it is important that songs sound different. I would say that's my 3 ingredients for producing; I do things that others do not do. You are Hamburg-based, how would you describe the difference between Hamburg's and Berlin's techno scenes? Techno music is more firmly anchored in Berlin and has a long tradition; you can't compare that, especially when you compare the history of the cities. People in Berlin have grown up with music or with Techno for generations and are connected to it. Hamburg had another history. You have a few clubs here, and the types of music are perceived differently. These are just things you have to live with. Also, very sad things are currently happening in Hamburg. This is very, very current information from the club scene in Hamburg. Three very good techno clubs are closing this year. As a DJ, this, of course, makes me very sad. This is because Hamburg does not have its own club culture or community. I notice that myself as a DJ. The club scene in Hamburg is very insecure and doesn't have its own concept! Although the city is very international and electronic music should have found its way here, unfortunately, that is not the case. At the moment, I'm in contact with organizers in Hamburg, and of course, I'm trying to bring something new to Hamburg's club culture. This is also a step-by-step process. Where will we find you in 2024, and what do you look forward to? Definitely in the studio. I'm enjoying this time because this is also where the next projects for 2024 are being created... That's fun. Here are a couple of projects for next year: – Continuation of the collaboration with my PR agency “LM PR Agency” from Portugal. – Radio broadcasts – Producing – Cooperations with organizers. – DJ bookings – Photo and video editing