EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
In an insightful interview, the dynamic techno artist Callush delves into the influence of Berlin on their music, their unique approach to crea- ting immersive techno sets, and the exciting launch of their new event series and label, RIOT TAPES. Callush’s journey from an avid raver to a renowned DJ-producer reflects a deep connection with the electronic music scene. Let’s explore the creative mind behind the rebellious beats and what fans can expect from this vibrant figure in the techno world.
How does your Berlin roots influence your rebellious techno style?
“I moved to Berlin 7 years ago, knowing almost nobody and starting from zero. Many people are aware, that this city can be quite overwhelming, but at the same time you feel attracted to its raw and somehow undefined energies, which make you feel alive and create a desire to ex- plore those. As a result, the past years in Ber- lin taught me a lot to come out of my comfort zone and to grow. It feels like you rebel against yourself in a positive way – challenging your own boundaries – for the cause of making a development. This background shapes my style of techno with great intensity. With my music, I want to lead the people down on an unknown path, an exciting journey filled with surprises. Keeping the unexpected alive through diffe- rent twists by switches in genres and emotional moods, while maintaining balance and a strong energy. The only rule I follow during my sets is to never let the listener know my next step and keep them guessing about the next move”.
Could you describe your approach to create dynamic and immersive techno sets that combine different genres?
"I believe that every set lives by its dynamic journey and storytelling. My artistic vision is to guide the crowd through a progression, buil- ding up to tense and energized peaks, but also allowing the audience to breathe afterwards, before heading into more intense parts once again. Throughout this process, I stay true to my core sound, which is mostly lead by Industrial, Schranz or Hardgroove influenced tracks. I mix these with carefully selected Trance-, EBM-, Reverse Bass- or Melodic-Tracks in between, creating a new combination of various elements and emotional states in my techno sets. This approach is my way of expressing a personal interpretation of a dynamic and driven musical journey".
How do you think your techno style sets you apart in the techno scene?
"I like to create a unique atmosphere by highlighting contrasts as mentioned earlier. For me, standing out means breaking the rough and hard sound, with gentle, tender, or playful elements, introducing a sense of lightness into my sets. Besides this I invest a lot
of time discovering for new tracks to integrate them into my performances. Playing these newfound gems and combining them fills me with excitement during my sets. I strongly believe that being fully immersed in one’s own set influences the audience. The energy you, as a DJ, give to the crowd, is the energy you get back as well".
Having played in various clubs across Europe, which venue has been the most memorable for you and why?
"I really love to play in venues, which have a strong warehouse character. The industrial and raw constructions of such spaces never fail to impress and inspire me and the whole spirit reflects in a special atmosphere over the night. Especially when the DJ-Booth is surrounded by the crowd, you have the feeling of not only being united, but also being able to exchange the energy more intense with each other’s. This was given for example at the H7 Warehouse in Amsterdam, Carlswerk Cologne or Arzenal in Budapest. Besides that, I also feel drawn to the intense charm of clubs, which is given at the Boiler-Floor at Gotec Club in Karlsruhe and Lehmann Club in Stuttgart".
As a producer, where do you start, what is your creative process when you are about to develop a new idea?
"The entire process behind my productions re- lies on the inspirations I collect and my current mood. Typically, I initiate the process by focu- sing on a key element. Once that foundation is established, I proceed to shape the entire idea, combining various elements around it. Throu- ghout this journey, the concept often becomes clearer, and if not, I refine it through additions or changes until I’m satisfied. When I feel moments of creative blockage, it can help to keep distance to the track and let it rest for a while. After resetting myself, I return with a refreshed perspective and inspiration and the workflow continues much better".
What can fans expect from your ‘ALL NIGHT LONG’ in Berlin, especially with your unique style?
"I am extremely excited about my upcoming All Night Long Set in Berlin on 24.02.24, as I feel strongly connected to my Berlin rebels. When deciding to take this step, my intention was to give something special back to my community by hosting the event in a unique venue. We discovered ‘The Garage’, a new, raw, and tem- porary off-location in Friedrichshain, close to Warschauer Straße, that will provide all club standards, but still keeping its industrial charm. Upon entering the venue for the first time, I instantly knew it was the perfect fit and that we need to involve it into our future plans".
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