Berlin DJ Oliver Deutschmann Talks Transition From Thrash Metal to Techno Ahead of Aug 24 Dada Set

These days Oliver Deutschmann is a highly regarded German techno DJ who has Beijing techno fans buzzing in anticipation as his Aug 24 set at Dada draws near. However, many fans of his hypnotic grooves and hard-hitting breaks might be surprised to learn that techno was by no means the first genre that sparked his love for music. Instead, Deutschmann started off throwing devil horns as a hard rock diehard who spun the likes of Slayer and Rage Against the Machine. Below, he tells us more about how he made the turn from metalhead to revered techno producer, DJ, and label owner.

Tell us about how you got your start as a DJ.
When I was a teenager I listened to a lot of hard rock; all kinds of metal and hardcore. We also organized parties where I was responsible for the music. So first I was more of a “rock” DJ. At those parties, I played stuff like Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Ignite, Pennywise, Slayer, and so on. I started then to go to techno parties around my hometown in south Germany in the '90s. It was on my first trip to Omen club in Frankfurt where Sven Väth had regular Friday nights. He blew me away, and since then I’ve been addicted to techno! A bit after that I moved to Berlin and became a techno DJ.

What do you enjoy most about being a DJ and producer in Berlin? What’s the scene like there?
The thing I like most about DJing is when I hear my own productions played by other DJs for a dancing crowd. As for the scene, I’m just totally happy that I’m still living in Berlin. It's still got so much energy and the city still inspires me like it did 10 years ago.

A promo for your set in Beijing says: "Deutschmann displays a distinct unwillingness to be pigeonholed in any one style and is right at home, whether he's warming things up with an understated house groove or thrashing the big rooms with his grandiose brand of techno." Tell us more about your technique, and how you learned what to play at what time to effectively get the crowd moving.
Mixing technique is really simple. With the DJ equipment we have today you can easily learn how to be a DJ. To get the crowd moving isn’t just about techniques though. I think experience helps a lot.

What tracks are you working on lately, and what new sounds are you sampling or incorporating?
My new project S.M.O.D. is going pretty well, with an upcoming EP on Second State. And I still wanna do another album if I find inspiration for that.

You can catch Oliver Deutschmann work his magic at Dada on Aug 24, 10pm. Entry is RMB 80. For more information, click here. 

Photos: partyflock.nl, courtesy of the promoters