dj henk
For Henk, records aren’t nostalgia. They’re discipline.
“When I play vinyl, I’m not looking at a screen. I’m just listening. That’s what it’s about for me, to hear, not to see.”
He doesn’t reject digital either.
“There are some things in digital DJing that I think are really cool, like looping or reverse functions. If I could have those on vinyl, I would use them. But what I love most is the focus it demands. I have to stay aware every second, I have to be inside the mix because the beats must match perfectly. That full connection with the music is what I love most about vinyl.”
And some tracks have stayed with him for years.
“I don’t really have one record that never leaves my bag, but there are a few that are with me at about 80 percent of my gigs. Two of them are special. One was part of my Sachsentrance mix, which reached a lot of people and introduced them to me. The other is one of my very first Happy Hardcore records, a turning point for where my sound was heading. I’ve been playing it for years, and it just never stops being powerful.”
THE CULTURE
Henk’s perspective bridges two worlds, Berlin and Amsterdam.
“I believe Berlin and Amsterdam are two of the strongest cities when it comes to electronic music culture and partying. Of course, each city has its own character. Berlin tends to be a bit more serious, with that classic techno flair, while Amsterdam feels more experimental and colorful. People smile more on the dance floor, raise their hands, and really celebrate together.”
But for him, the comparison misses the point.
“Both cities are so unique that it’s impossi- ble to say which is better. What really unites them is the effort to preserve this culture. There are so many people working hard to keep it alive, from organizers to DJs to everyone involved. That dedication is what I really admire.”
He’s nostalgic about what he calls “the new underground.”
“I never
underground days since I was born in 2000. But I grew up inside what I’d call the new trance and hard dance revolution, back when there were only a few parties of that kind in Berlin. You really had to search and wait for the next one.”
What he misses most is intention.
“People came purely for the music. There were no big names or headliners, just small, mostly unknown DJs. Everyone kind of knew each other; it felt like a family. The scene today is still connected, but it’s grown so much that it doesn’t always have that same communal feeling.”
really experienced the original
And what gives him hope?
“I hope things move back toward enjoying the moment, without phones and cameras. I also hope the scene evolves back toward appreciating the full musical journey of a night. Promoters used to build lineups as stories. I’d love to see people coming again to experience that concept as a whole, not just waiting for a hype DJ.”
He channels that vision through his agency, TURBO.
“In my own booking agency, I want to represent diverse artists who truly live and love music. People who wake up thinking about music and go to bed the same way. Artists who don’t just play it, but are it.”
The mission is simple: protect the spirit that raised him.
“It’s about working with people who share the same values: passion, honesty, and respect for
something that protects that underground spirit, where it’s not about algorithms or hype but about creating real experiences and giving something back to the community.”
And community, for Henk, always comes first.
“We organize small events during the week and try to keep the entry prices super low so everyone can be part of it. Last time, our presale tickets were five euros. For me, it’s not about business. It’s about community, building a family of artists and ravers who care deeply, who live this culture with love and authenticity.”
THE NEW EP
Now, DJ Henk is ready to translate all that philosophy into sound.
“My first EP, which will be released in the next few months, reflects how I see the current state of things, both in the scene and on the dance floor. The concept ties back to what I’ve been talking about throughout this interview: music that’s made for the dance floor.”
His focus remains pure.
“These tracks are not about overproduc- tion or chasing trends. They’re built for movement, for energy, for DJs to play. Each one is designed to make sense in a set, to connect with people physically and emotio- nally on the floor.”
At its heart, the EP is a statement of pur- pose.
“For me, it’s about keeping that spirit alive, raw, direct, and honest, music that lives where it belongs: on a sound system, surrounded by people who feel it.”
the culture. I want to build
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