For the twelfth episode of Dunkel Radio, we've not got one but three young aspiring DJ's from the Copenhagen underground - Casper Mejlholm, Christian Deichgræber and Mads Bjerregaard. We've asked them all a few questions and they've each recorded a mix for us spanding from drum & bass, dubstep, garage, uk funky to raw techno & house and acid. Enjoy.
Casper Mejlholm
How did you get into electronic music?
Initially via a few friends and through listening online, but mainly by going out. The diversity and quality of nights in Copenhagen is amazing, and was the main thing that got me into this style of music.
What got you to start dj’ing?
I was lucky to randomly have a bunch of colleagues who are DJs and music heads, as well as a couple of decks in the basement of our office for the Friday afterhours. As I got my own setup at home, and spent more and more time collecting, listening to, and eventually mixing music, I wanted to share the experience with everyone else. It captivates me to see how people react and move to music, so this had to be the way to go.
Do you also produce music, if so what does that sound like?
No, not at the moment.
Whats the most important thing when you look for new music?
That it thinks differently and pushes in new directions – whether its older or newer releases
Name some of your favourite producers and/or djs.
Dexter, Zed Bias, Pangaea, Marcus Intalex/Trevino, Pearson Sound, Objekt, Blawan, Boddika, Tessela, Kode9, Dark Sky, Headhunter/Addison Groove, French Fries, Joy O, Untold, Oneman, Ben UFO, Martyn, Jaylib.
Christian Deichgræber
How did you get into electronic music?
I’ve always had an interest in electronic music, but, I guess, I started listening to the good kind in high school. I was one of those guys who always wore big headphones, and I spent much of my time listening to all kinds of stuff that I borrowed from the library or bought from the internet. I remember that I was really into the ‘Bounce, Make, Model EP’ by Jimmy Edgar and the ‘Incredible Sound of Drum’n’Bass Compilation’ mixed by Goldie. I also loved the tune by Orbital called Belfast. First time I heard it was in 2000, when me and my class mates were watching ‘Human Traffic’ in the cimena, as a part of a school project. I found the soundtrack a couple of years later, and I was just like ♥♥♥ !!!
What got you to start dj’ing?
I’ve always wanted to dj, but it was not until 2007, that I bought some equipment. I remember that I received about 5000 kr. from ‘SKAT’, and instead of using them on a vacation or something else, I went down to a music store in Aarhus and bought a cheap midi controller. It was really crappy, but it got me hooked and 2 years ago I bought some proper pioneer equipment.
Do you also produce music, if so what does that sound like?
I’m still learning how to use Logic 9.
Whats the most important thing when you look for new music?
Hmmm. Maybe that I don’t get too greedy. Each Monday there’s so much new music released, and sometimes I don’t really listen to the stuff that I buy. It’s a bad habit that I try to change, ’cause the fun about music kinda disappears when you’re only listening to like 30 seconds of a tune. So at the moment I only buy music that I really really like and not the ephemera.
Name some of your favourite producers and/or djs.
Producers: Burial, Boddika, dBridge, Source Direct (they don’t produce together anymore but they’ve made some of my favorite jungle tunes), Actress, Kassem Mosse, 2562, Endian (new alias of George from Commix. His release on Electric Minds is great, and he has 2 sick tunes forthcoming on Nonplus+)
DJ’s: Ben UFO Pearson Sound
Mads Bjerregaard
How did you get into electronic music?
A friend of mine gave me a mixed CD 5 years ago with electronic music. Soon after that was almost the only thing I wanted to listen to. When I started going to the club-scene in Copenhagen, especially Culture Box, it all escalated from there and became a pretty big thing in my life.
What got you to start dj’ing?
I was listening to the music all time, and I just thought it would be kind a fun trying it. I started with CDJ’s but 2,5 years ago I started to play vinyl. From there a whole new world opened for me, and I am still enjoying it very much.
Do you also produce music, if so what does that sound like?
I don’t produce music at the time. I am planning on starting this summer. At first I just think that getting an idea of how the music is composed will help me be a better DJ.
What’s the most important thing when you look for new music?
Originality. I am trying not to be that genre-specific and open my eyes for different sorts of music. But I always look for the records, which has a sound that I haven’t heard a million times before.
Name some of your favourite producers and/or djs
Analogue Cops, Eduardo De la Calle, Omar S, Shed (Nearly all of his aliases), DVS1, Norm Talley, Levon Vincent, Anthony “Shake” Shakir, Hakim Murphy, Donato Dozzy, Nick Höppner and many many more.
Words by Dunkel Radio