DJ Hell on Raw Analog Sound: Resisting Industry Over-Polish

I never want my music to sound too clean or safe; it needs an edge and a sense that anything can happen. My music is never about polished perfection: it’s about capturing raw energy

Resist Over-Polished Production: Embracing Raw Analog Sound

Keeping my sound raw is about resisting the industry’s urge to over-polish. I still work with analog equipment because it allows for unpredictability. Analog sound mirrors real life. Digital can be too sterile; analog breathes. Those small imperfections parallel the human experience. Creativity thrives in that tension between control and chaos.

Imperfection & Edge: Capturing Authentic Raw Energy

I never want my music to sound too clean or safe; it needs an edge and a sense that anything can happen. My music is never about polished perfection—it’s about capturing raw energy.

Choosing Vision Over Profit: The Price of Authenticity

I’ve turned down commercial opportunities because they didn’t align with my vision. It’s not always easy, but staying true to yourself matters more than short-term gains. Authenticity has a price—it’s worth paying.

Underground Munich in the ’90s: Techno Meets Punk Freedom

I remember, in the early Nineties, playing underground clubs in Munich: the crowd was open-minded, and there were no commercial pressures. I could mix techno with punk influences, breaking every rule about what a DJ was supposed to play. In those moments, it was just me and the sound—nothing else mattered. That kind of freedom is rare, but it’s what keeps me going.

Berlin Experiment: Ten-Minute Beat-Free Track Ignites Curiosity

There was a set in Berlin where I decided to play a ten-minute experimental track with no beat. People are hungry for something different.

Small, Sweaty Venues: Harnessing Intimate Crowd Energy

The energy of a space shapes everything. Playing in a big venue can be powerful, but there’s a magic to smaller, imperfect spaces. Some of my best sets have been in spots where the walls sweat and the crowd’s energy is right there with you.

Gear Failure to Creative Breakthrough: Evolving Through Adversity

There was a night early on when the equipment failed mid-set. I had to improvise using only a drum machine. It was terrifying, but it forced me to be creative in ways I hadn’t imagined. That experience showed me that failure is part of the process—it pushes you to evolve.