Bjoern Wilke - Frankfurt crate digging

Having spent the most-part of two decades founding a vital place in the world’s clubland, in international dance music, DJ, producer and label head Björn Wilke only recently broke from his beat-regime to start a family. Now adjusting to his split role as father and global deckman, Wilke is back with new releases on his own label and business Kaato, as well as a short-stop tour around South America. Erin Kubicki caught up with Bjorn to chat old times and new.

Download Pulse.061 - Björn Wilke here

You’re internationally recognized - do you have a favourite part of the world you love to play most? Why?
I love playing in South America, because there’s a certain energy on the floor; the crowd are so enthusiastic and have a great open-minded attitude towards dance music. I also love to play in Australia, meeting my friends from down under. I’ve had some really magical moments playing on open air decks at the Sydney Harbor with lots of crazy ozzies in front of me! And then there’s India; that peaceful vibe on the beach of Goa, where you can totally play whatever you're in to - thanks to some great people like Sasha who keep pushing creative energy and amazing spots like the Shanti Beach Club… to make it short: there are great places and people everywhere - it's all about coming together and enjoying the moment.

Think I read you’re preparing for a South American Tour.. It’s a very small tour as I just became a father and don't want to stay away from my daughter for too long. I will just go there for 6 nightsand play in Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. South America... Great people, great clubs and great weather!

Although constantly playing across the world, do you still feel a connection musically to your home country?
Of course, as many of the most influential artists at the moment are from Germany, there’s creativity everywhere there; most of the tracks I play are from german producers. Also, I know almost every city in Germany, I have friends everywhere and it’s the place where I feel at home, where my heart and my family are.

What tracks are you playing out in your sets at the moment - are there any that are loved across continents? I still play deep house and tech house and I love to mix recent releases with tracks and tools from the past. It’s not that I am such a purveyor of the past, but we’re in a musical momentum that allows us to mix decent old tracks with releases that came out just last week. I think the new disco-house-funk-deep, stuff is very hip worldwide at the moment - Jamie, Lee Foss, Visionquest,Wolf & Lamb etc. - but I still prefer being surprised by people I don't know - like that new Cyclic label from Romania: I got a promo today - dope stuff.

In your bio it says you started you’re career in 94” how have you changed since the early days? Have you developed new tastes, new styles? Yes, of course. I started playing acid house in the beginning, switched to a more balearic and progressive sound in the late 90's, then back to deep and a little more minimal - but I always was a house addict. I always had a very deep and percussive flavor in my sets and productions but there have been some small changes in the past 17 years - that’s how it works.

You call yourself a club DJ, why? What makes you different from other DJs? It’s because I don't feel comfortable in front of thousands of people. Stages, big monitoring systems and a sea of people doesn’t really make the party an intimate event for me and I don't feel homelike in such an environment. I prefer to be close to the people and to have a small an intimate crowd with a certain taste and an open-minded attitude.

You had a regular slot in Ibiza, spent some time at Space, how have you seen the dance island change musically and club-wise? When I played on the Space terrace, there were no roofs, no Function One soundsystems and the DJ booth was behind the bar. It was a chilly atmosphere and the terrace was more like an open air cafe with a dance floor. It’s crazy how different the terrace looks today. It’s massive. For me Ibiza never did change as the number one location for great parties and perfect entertainment - it turned from big business in the 90s to a super big business nowadays. It’s crazy that they charge 16-18 Euros for a 0,2l longdrink - and nobody complains.

How’s Kaato going? Are there any releases coming up that you’re particularly looking forward to? After a little creative break, Kaato will be back in late 2012 with new releases. I took a break from the label business and reduced my bookings and travels because of my little daughter. I focussed more on releases on other labels like Connaisseur / Outils or Get Physical together with Someone Else from Philadelphia. At the moment we are preparing out first album together and I am sorting out releases and remixers for the upcoming stuff on Kaato as well - so there will be some news and fresh food pretty soon! 

Can you tell us a little bit about your podcast? I tried to sort out a bunch of tracks, which influenced me as a DJ and producer since I have been part of the electronic music scene. All these tracks have NEVER left my box and never will. And many of these tracks are more up to date then ever before - thanks to the return of good quality house music!
I hope you enjoy the podcast - see you all on my South America tour in February & March.

1. The Blunted Dummies "House For All" (Dance 2 Recordings, 1996)
2. Ralph Falcon "Every Now And Then" (Miami Soul, 1992)
3. DJ Pierre aka The Don "Freedom Track" (DJP Records, 1992)
4. Cevin Fisher "Love You Some More" (Subversive, 2000)
5. Phuture "Rise From Your Grave" (Strictly Rhythm, 1992)
6. Paperclip People "Throw" (D.Vision Records, 1994)
7. Kevin Fisher "The Freaks Come Out" (Container Records, 1998)
8. Kat Williams "That Track By Cat" (Shadowprint, 2002)
9. e-N "The Horn Ride" (Tribal America, 1995)
10. Din "Mellonball" (Death Of Vinyl, 1993)

Listen to Björn Wilke on Pulse Radio