Coco Berlin
Coco Berlin
25-06-12
Direct from Germany, the deep house and disco loving DJ and promoter Coco Berlin will be joining us for this Saturday's B(e)ast. Having founded the Berlin-based Kreis.Studio, a loose arts collective of "freaky musicians, design fanatics and hedonists", DJ'ed for over a decade, setting up an online radio station (with Huub from Amsterdam) and hosting his own parties called Betriebsfeier on a boat in Berlin; he's the ideal person to get the lazer basement going on a summer's Saturday evening. We caught up with Coco to chat about the usuals: Berlin, music and dancing...
If you were a cocktail what kind of cocktail would you be?
I think a Tequila Sunrise would fit. Sweet start and outrageous end!
If you were taking us on a magical 24 hour journey through Berlin where would you take us?
Let's make it 48 hours! We’ll start on a Friday night with my party called "Betriebsfeier" on the MS-Hoppetosse Boat, where you can dance for (at least) the next 14 hours. If you like to switch the location maybe around 2pm next day just ask someone for a good open air afterhour. After getting tanned whilst dancing in the park give yourself a little rest with your new friends you just met. They will invite you to their apartment to prepare for the night. When you're finished with even more dancing, talking, drinking and whatever - you should try to look good when you have your breakfast coffee at PanoramaBar. Just go straight on to the Long-Island-Icetee-Time and enjoy your next 12 hour dancing workout. If you're still not done then there are new friends waiting in the KaterHolzig for you …
What was the last record you bought?
Oh I don't remember the last record, because I switched to CD's some time ago but I do remember the last track I bought: Lee Brinx - Freaky (Original Mix)!
What was the first song you played on your online radio station house-radio.com?
Uff, my brain cells are not that good anymore. But I can imagine that I played an old disco track. Maybe Giorgio Moroder or something similar.
Who would you share your dream line-up with? Any genre... alive or dead?
Bloody Mary, Green Velvet, Spencer Parker, Lee Burridge, WiLDKATS, Wolfram, Giorgio Moroder, Patrick Cowley, Gino Soccio, Solomun, Pional & John Talabot, Blancmange, Human League and my good DJ friends Morris and Huub!
Where's the most unusual place or venue you've ever DJ'ed?
I remember a very special night in 1999 (or maybe 2000) when I played on a balcony for at least 800 people. The balcony was very small so there was only space for one DJ. Behind me was a small room and we had to climb up to this room with a ladder, because this abandoned building had no stairs anymore.
How long can you dance for without needing a rest?
I'm not really good at dancing for many hours. When I'm partying I'm mostly into joking around. Then I start talking and end up at the bar. When I'm there the music pulls me back on the dancefloor. Then I start joking around and... this circle will continue for the next 20 hours.
What's in your (record) bag for B(e)ast?
I will have my special cocoish blend of reduced trippin’ house music with influences of disco, minimal techno and tech house. One of my all-time favorites, which I can't get enough of, will be for sure with me. It's Diva by Gary Beck (Original).
You've just been at Off Sonar with kreis.studio... what was the best party you attended whilst there?
Well, we produced our own parties with Moonharbour, Katermukke (the label by KaterHolzig), of course my party Betriebsfeier, BPitch Control and many more on our own stage. This stage was called Sektorberlin Waterstage and was part of the East Ender Festival near Mac Arena Mar in Barcelona. So I spent most of the time there, managing the stage and enjoying all these fabulous DJ sets by Matthias Tanzmann, Niconè, Ellen Allien and many more. There was a really good vibe because we took the Berlin style to Barcelona and built up a wooden arena next to the sea. Amazing time!
And finally who inspires you?
I meet people who are very very successful and in the business for years. Some of them are still very sociable and honest. They know where they are coming from and what it means to play electronic music - to spend a good time together, it doesn't matter who you are and where you're coming from. These people really inspire me - even if I often don't like their music 100%. They give me the power to make my way as I've been doing it for more than 14 years now.
I'm really looking forward to coming back to Dalston Superstore - I can't wait!!!
Coco Berlin plays B(e)ast at Dalston Superstore this Saturday 30th June alongside Borja Peña, Kevin Funkt and Rebecca Sawyer from 9pm - 4am.
Coco Berlin