David Krasemann, better known as Dave DK needs no introduction, he’s been making waves in the dance music scene for a couple of years now… He’s been inspired by the techno movement in the early 90s and got himself into promoting underground techno and house parties, constantly trying to spread and push new electronic music. Searching for new electronic sounds every day and having honed his skills as a producer in his chosen home Berlin, Dave released his first record in 1998.

Dave doesn’t believe in musical limits so his sound simply is the result of different styles that have influenced him throughout the years. “I have a passion for the wide range between house and techno as well as pop music and dance floor stuff of the early 90’s”, says Dave. Though he’s elegantly juggling a variety of electronic music to create his own style, in his tracks he often combines tragic melodies with kickin’ grooves that transform your body into a twisting stampede of electricity, with trademark swing and warm funk.

The year 2000 can be marked as the first highlight in his career: his debut album “sensory overload“ had been released on Müller Records and there were musical excursions on Cologne’s Television label as well as on the Barcelona based Regular label. Dave is now currently recording for Moodmusic and also on Playhouse (a collaboration with Holger „Smash TV“ Zilske) which brings him even closer to his idea of electronic house tunes. For Dave DK, music is a model of living in which he’s able to enhance his skills in order to realise his vision of modern electronic club and home entertainment…

And here is a your chance to find out more about Dave DK…

Who or what has been the biggest influence?
I’m following the Electronic Music scene since the early 90’s, Marusha and Westbam from Germany have been as big influences for me as The Shamen, Kenny Larkin or Blake Baxter. Also the lengendary Tresor club was a big influence for me as it was the first place who brought over the artists from Detroit.

What was your first big breakthrough as an act? What would you rate as the best experience that you’ve had in the music scene so far?
Definitely my residency at the Tresor club in 1998, and later at Panorama Bar in 2000. There are plenty of nice experiences I’ve had over the years. One of them could be an 8 hour set at Tresor Park during the Love Parade back in 2000.

What have been up to lately and what can we expect from you over the next couple of months?
In November 2007 I released my second album, “Lights and Colours” on Moodmusic, this year we’re releasing the album remixes mainly. The last couple of months I’ve been touring around a lot, at the moment I’m just starting to work on new productions. A couple of Remixes will be out during the next months as well.

What are your plans for the rest of the year in terms of production and general music related business? What is your aim as a producer, what ambitions have you got?
At the moment I’m trying to find the right set up between Hardware and Software in my studio. There are so many ways to do music that way, it’s not that easy for me to find the right way that fits with my needs. I wanna check out some new sounds as well as new tricks of production, let’s see how this works out ;> I’ll also work on new material with my mate Holger Zilske this year.

Which one do you enjoy the most, Djing or producing?
Deejaying is a big passion for me, I think I would prefer this if I had to decide. Though producing your own music is a great experience, too. It creates your image as an artists even more than deejaying.

What do you see as your main strengths as a producer?
I really like nice chords and melodies as well as deepness, I think that’s my strengths.

What can people expect from your live show?
People should have a nice time when they go out, as a DJ I’m an entertainer, so my aim is to take them on a travel with my sound and make them freaking out. I’m always paying a lot of attention to the mood in the crowd and trying to react with my choice of music.

What makes a party good & bad?
For me the most important aspect is the sound system, a warm and nice sound is the key to rock the crowd. Also the mix of people at the party is so important, if they don’t really feel comfortable with each other it can destroy the party as well. Finally a good artist hosting during the night is always welcome.

Is a DJ a star today? Or does he have to be more than just a DJ?
Some few DJ’s have a very strong appeal that comes across with a big hype. For these guys it doesn’t really matter if they constantly release new music or not, they have a long term demand on the market. On the other hand there are many great DJ’s who became well known because of their productions. As the market is so fast and new productions are only a short time in the spotlight, the artists have to come back with new productions constantly to keep their position in the wide field of great producers.
Do you sample, use old records, listen to them, or how does your producing process go?
I like samples as they can make the sound more unique when used in the right way. I’m listening constantly to old records from my collection to get new “old” ideas. For me it’s always interesting to see what records I bought some years ago and why. Over the years I created my own sampling library with my favourite sounds.

What was the party that affected you a lot?
There were plenty of fantastic events over the years! This year is was probably the GOA party in Madrid as well as the Fusion Festival in Laerz/Germany. Unforgettable for me are my nights at the first Panorama Bar as well as at the first Tresor club.

Which is more appealing to you while djing - to dig out a relatively old track, or play the newest release?
I’m always trying to be up to date with the releases and listening to a lot of promos to get new hot stuff. At the same time it’s absolutely exciting to dig some old records in my sets. There’s so much great music been released already and many times it’s some old tracks that people are asking about just after I played them.

*Is there something that you don’t like about this scene or things that pissed you off along the way?
I don’t really fancy people that take themselves too important. Also strange crowds sometimes are not my favourite thing.

Who’s been your favourite musician or producer that you have worked with over the years?
Holger Zilske / Smash TV

What inspires you?
Besides new music it’s always nice to look at other producers, see what tricks they have and how they achieve certain effects with their equipment.

Are you afraid of piracy?
Not really. It’s impossible to stop piracy in the web. On the other hand it’s the promotional aspect that is so important for an artist. Piracy also supports the promotion, so the artists can even profit from illegal distribution. As the value of music is very low due to digitalization and consumers get exciting and reasonable offers from online music stores, many consumers will probably choose the legal way to download music in the future.

*Who is rocking your boat these days and who are your top tips for 2008? /What DJ’s and producers are doing it for you these days?
Dial has been one of my favourite labels and they even got stronger this year. Another label to watch out is White. Daso has some great productions out this year as well as Stimming, Solomun, Cassy, Tobias, John Daly, Radio Slave.

If you could have anyone remix any of your tracks, who would it be and why?
Actually I’m choosing usually my favourite producers for my remixes. Probably I’d choose then someone who’s not in the same clubby music style as I am, maybe Boards of Canada, Apparat or my loong term mate Ulrich Schnauss . All have great compositions and amazing atmospheres in their tracks!

What non dance music do you listen to in say your car CD or on the stereo in the kitchen?
Ulrich Schnauss, Apparat, Boards of Canada, Jan Jelinek, Pole, International Pony

Which is your personal favourite track that you’ve produced & why?
Really like “Sweet Yellow” from my last album “Lights and Colours” on Moodmusic because of the nice modulation and hypnotic moments. Also my Remix for Morgan Page’s “Outside the City” is cool, love the chords and atmo.

What would you say is the most difficult aspect of music production?
To combine technical and composition skills at the same time.

What are your favourite production tools /gadgets?
I’m really into Logic Audio, like all stuff from Native Instruments, i.e. Battery, Reaktor, also like the tools from Camel Audio, PSP, Sonalksis, Izotope.

What’s your all time favourite tune?
Manuel Göttsching – E2-E4
What are the top five most listened to tracks/songs on your iPod?
Apparat – Fractales Pt. 1
Ulrich Schnauss – Stars
Boards of Canda – Orange Romeda
Efdemin – Bergwein
Sascha Funke – Mango
What is your top tune of the moment?
Oscar Offermann – Cherry Bombs

If there is one rule in life to live by, what is it?
Be yourself

Any news, updates, new productions, events, etc that you would like people to know about?
MASTAFAKTOR - THERE THE WIND BLOWS, DAVE DK REMIX (MINA)

SEVA K - FAR AWAY, DAVE DK REMIX (HIGHWAY RECORDS)
Check the new site: http://backroom-entertainment.de

What destroys music?
Envy, too much money & business thinking

What keeps it alive?
Quality productions, being open minded and creative

Dave DK releases!