6 Feb 21:02
Koh Phangan
Andre Crom - OFF Recordings GER
SoundCloud | http://www.soundcloud.com/andre-crom
Beatport | https://pro.beatport.com/artist/andre-crom/25789
Strip it back.
Andre Crom has been known as DJ, producer, and the man behind OFF Recordings for years.
OFF has been voted the "#8, #9 and #24 most charted label" in 2012, 2013 and 2014 by the users of Resident Advisor, and often resides with a multitude of tracks at once in the Beatport electronica, techhouse and techno genre charts.
While the sound selection is eclectic, there are certain values which all OFF releases, as well as Andre's DJ sets, have in common.
A stripped back approach. Every track or song has an essence, and it's important to focus on it, while getting rid of all unnecessary elements.
Emotional connection. This is what music is all about; and what makes the "job" of a DJ, producer and also recordlabel A&R so enjoyable: to enjoy intense moments of unity with the audience.
And the "hook factor": it can be a memorable vocal, a particular melody, or something else; every piece of music should have something that stays in your mind after hearing it on a night out.
It's Andre's sets, playing a mix of own productions, unreleased OFF signings, almost forgotten classics and carefully selected new tracks, that are the best proof for his deep and profound love for underground dance music and a good party.
Foolik (Sisyphos/Berlin)
https://soundcloud.com/foolik
Taking up DJing in 2009, Sisyphos resident Foolik has rapidly established himself as one of the busiest and most in-demand DJs on Berlin’s underground club and outdoor scene, spinning a driving ‘pushy’ tech flavoured selection of house music designed to pack – and rock- any dance-floor.
Wandering into Sisyphos for the first time in 2011 (and being ‘completely overwhelmed by its energy’ he recalls), the young Berliner (he’s still in his early 20s) became a regular soon afterwards, making his DJ debut there 12 months later in a back-to-back 4 hour Wintergarten session with friend (and also nowadays fellow Sisyphos resident) Leon Licht.
18 months on, he’s often to be found DJing at Berlin underground clubs such as Katerholzig and Rummelsbucht in between his residency gigs at his home base of Sisyphos.
Spinning house, tech-house and even techno sets on occasion (depending on which of Sisyphos’ floors he’s DJing on), he’s unusually flexible though focused, delivering a driving original, always energetic, sound.
“I rarely plan sets, for me it’s about capturing the moment,” he explains, “I’m always finding new music before then determining which direction I take as the party unfolds.”
Though he’s born and raised in Berlin, he’s also quick to stress he doesn’t see himself as just a ‘Berlin DJ’ declaring’ a DJ is a DJ, whether they are from Berlin, Hamburg or Tel Aviv.”
Impressively grounded (he dismisses being asked if he’s superstitious with the retort ‘superstition only creates problems when there are none in the head’) he’s nevertheless less certain when quizzed about phobias.
“I’m absolutely terrified of spiders,” he laughs, “Well, any that are bigger than a pinhead
Pauli Pocket (KaterBlau|/Berlin)
https://soundcloud.com/pauli-pocket
Darragh Casey (Maya/LoiLay) IR
https://soundcloud.com/darraghcasey
http://classic.beatport.com/artist/darragh-casey/127916
Leon Mester (Academix) FR
https://soundcloud.com/leon-master
http://facebook.com/leon.master.phangan
