Kiki--Spring Mix for Electronic Beats Radio, 2009-04

Helsinki-born Joakim Ijäs moved to Berlin in 1994 to study Architecture, but instead ended up learning the ways of a master DJ. Impressing the legendary Masters At Work at a Marlboro DJ competition led to securing gigs at Berlin’s three cathedrals of techno - Tresor, Pfefferbank and WMF. Those were soon followed by a string of international bookings and the release of an infamous three deck mix for Sonnenhaus which led to De:Bug worrying about the health of his fingers.

With his profile as a DJ growing it was two short steps to releasing his first record on Ellen Allien's BPitch Control label in 2001 – who he met when the pair were double booked to play the same DJ slot. Since then Kiki has grown into a truly international artist, sharing his love of energetic and hypnotic music across the globe.

Kiki was the first artist asked to put together a mix for the now legendary Boogy Bytes series, and has been asked to provide remixes and productions for labels as diverse as Bugged Out, Playhouse and Crosstown Rebels where he had the honour of being the first artist releasing on the label. His debut album "Run With Me", released on BPitch Control, was an international success, and led to the video for "Shake Off" (a collaboration with Silversurfer and Captain Comatose) being playlisted by MTV. More recently, a collaboration with Sasse and his Moodmusic imprint led to the release of the excellent "Grand Cru". Without forgetting his roots in the club, Kiki has reigned in the short sharp thrills of 12" releases to concentrate on deeper and more personal forms of expression for his second album, Kaiku.

And so the next chapter begins. Kiki is set to release Kaiku (which means echo in Finnish) on May 4, 2009. Like a musical calling card it combines all of the elements that can only be learned through a life dedicated to music and musical expression. As a track on "Kaiku" says: "No Words Necessary".