Dark lights, black rooms, techno, acid, Chicago booty, electro, rave, Berlin nights, sound experiments, Berghain Kantine, friends and 15 years of successful events encounters with big names! This is Nico Deuster.
The likes of SANDWELL DISTRICT, TIM EXILE, REDSHAPE, OTTO VON SCHIRACH, T.RAUMSCHMIERE, CRISTIAN VOGEL and many more contribution towards 25 releases of real gems and unforgettable moments.We have the extreme pleasure to welcome Dj Flush the man behind all the above. The guy behind KILLEKILL label which has become a reference concept in the electronic music scene. Diverse styles within the electronic music spectrum coming together managing to represent the unique identity of KILLEKILL’s sound although staying coherent and comprised of quality from its very first moment. The recipe for the success comes from Mr Nico Deuster. He spoke to us about the old days, label’s story the forthcoming KILLEKILL 025 Megahits II with date of release the 23rd of May. A powerful combination of artists celebrating together the dynamic KILLEKILL presence all these years. Umwelt, Eomac, Dez Williams, Bintus, the legendary Detroit Grand Pubahs, The Fool’s Stone, Jerome Hill, Furfriend, Kamikaze Space Programme, Cassegrain & Tin Man, Blake Baxter aka Prince of Techno and Alex Cortex will celebrate with you 15 years of the KILLEKILL experience. Enjoy this very special interview to Tales of Psychofonia.
T.O.P.: Hi Nico, How do you feel after these years full of KILLEKILL adventures and great collaborations?
N.D.: I feel awesome. Although it gets a bit too much sometimes. : )
We have promoted almost 400 events, had about 50 releases on our labels and I must admit, I was worn out a bit, but since we have taken a break and are going to restart things very soon, I feel refreshed and am looking forward to what’s coming.
T.O.P.: Going back to when the KILLEKILL story started, can you share with us a story that you cherish from those days?
N.D.: One awesome night was, when Otto von Schirach played with Gabe Serbian (drummer of the locust). It was all pretty much improvised at that time, so we didn’t have a drum rug, and the kick drum was moving away under the heavy drumming of Gabe. It was all very personal at that time as well and so a girl from the audience helped out by laying in front of the drum set and holding the kick drum for the whole fucking show! With her head right next to it. I hope she hasn’t damaged her ears then… It was so great to see how everybody just wanted this to happen and do their part to make it work.
But basically looking back, what was the most exciting thing, was how much support we got from all sides. In particular as it was so personal. You would see people for the first time there. Then a second time, maybe talk a bit at the bar and suddenly they’d come every week. Some long term friendships have developed from that. Future interns, colleagues, friends etc.
T.O.P.: How do you see the evolution of rave from 90s to now?
I come from a punk rock background and I got into electronic music mostly because of the energy of rave. Unfortunately I was missing it for a while. “Rave” in terms of “raving about something” should be something enthusiastic. In that way rave was pretty much dead here in Berlin, when I started Killekill. That was actually the reason why I started it. But there is some enthusiasm now here in Berlin. There are a lot of new scenes and some of them are merging, and there are new places. And also the music got harder again and more diverse. I like that!
T.O.P.: The new compilation KILLEKILL MEGAHITS II, as the 25th release of the label is a great celebration. What is the future for KILLEKILL? How do you wish to proceed with your new sub-labels?
N.D.: We have grown so much over the years. We run several labels, we run events of all kinds, we are a booking agency. I realize thats a bit confusing for some people. I mean we have got a lot of fans who appreciate our diversity, but for example I am having funny conversations sometimes about what sort of a label we are. Like “oh, I like your stuff, because you are the only Berlin electro label” or “ah, no, I don’t like your releases so much, because you know, I don’t play acid”.. So obviously this seems to be a bit difficult for people… So I felt it might make sense to get a bit more organized. We will have a label for conceptual stuff, albums etc, one for the club bangers, and some others. You will see!
T.O.P.: What are the building blocks of a good DJ set for you? Do you have one record never leaves your bag?
N.D.: Although I must admit that usually those sets work best where I commit to one style, I must say I personally prefer sets, which cross over several genres. Mostly the core of those sets of mine is ghetto house of Dj Deeon and the likes, because from there I can easily go into a harder techno direction as well as into house or electro.
T.O.P.: Who is your favourite artist/project/band currently?
N.D.: Maybe Umwelt? I was a fan of his music 20 years ago and actually thought he wasn’t doing anything anymore until lately I found him back and realized I still love everything he is doing. It’s quite pathetic sometimes, but I need this sentimental stuff sometimes. : )
T.O.P.: Which KILLEKILL release you would recommend as a “mind healer”?
N.D.: What’s a mind healer?
T.O.P: What has changed since the #001 Bad Cop Bad Cop – Best Of Best Of until now, and what has remained the same until now?
N.D.: I would say the experience has grown. The enthusiasm and urge to stay independent from marketing plans and that sort of shit has stayed the same I would say.
T.O.P.: In all these 8 years is there any special event/ party you will never forget.. a special night?
N.D.: One of our first birthday events at Suicide Circus, I think it was the second birthday of Killekill, we thought it was a good idea to do a 30 hour event. I played indoors for 6 hours, then jumped into a b2b set with a friend on the open air floor for 3 hours, and then for whatever reason the three following dis canceled via text message or phone. I was sick, one was drunk, and one just didn’t come, if I remember right, and I ended up playing 21 hours altogether. Unprepared as I was, I had to play all tracks on my records, crossing over literally everything with friends who went home, slept, took showers, went to the lake afterwards and came back asking if I was playing again, but I was actually still on. That was pretty weird and unforgettable I must say…
T.O.P.: Has it been difficult for you to define KILLEKILL sound having controversial releases covering almost the whole spectrum of electronic music?
N.D.: Yes. 🙂
T.O.P.:Do you have any special events coming up?
N.D.: Yes, we have our birthday parties in Berlin and some other cities plus we have started a new line of events called The Pack, where I mostly invite friends, trying to stay free from all that usual headliner stress etc. Oh and of course we have got Krake coming! Our Berlin festival. See www.krake-festival.de for more info.
Thanks for the interview!
T.O.P.: Thank you too Nico for this great interview!
Tales of Psychofonia 