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    A Conversation With Filmmaker Vincent Haycock

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    In the current episode of the Telekom Electronic Beats podcast, former TEB editor-in-chief Derek Opperman talks to director and photographer Vincent Haycock, who has been involved in projects with Paul McCartney, Johnny Depp, Florence, and the Machine and Lana Del Rey, among others. The 41-year-old Californian’s next project is the release of the film of the Gen-Z initiative #whatwedonext together with Billie Eilish and Deutsche Telekom. In his opinion, all generations can learn a lot from each other in their diversity, since they all grew up under very different conditions. While today’s young digital natives were born with social media, he spent his childhood without the internet and networked technologies. In an interview, he reveals that in his school days, punk rock was his personal salvation from numerous pitfalls of the small town. The almost brutal emotionality that unfolds in punk culture continues to influence his artistic work and his life, which has hardly followed any precise paths, to this day. Besides working with numerous celebrities, he regularly casts people on the street for his works. When creating his films and music videos, Haycock likes to dive deep into the real-life and emotional world of his protagonists and thus create unique images. Corona has completely turned the advertising and music film industry, in which he works very successfully, upside down. In this sense, he also talks about his individual privileges and how he would like to behave in order to positively influence the future. The fact that the world is currently going through phases of enormous pain in many places occupies him on the one hand, but on the other hand he also looks at the potential of many good developments and how we can all internalize them together.

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  • Music

    Billie Eilish in Conversation With Former Telekom Electronic Beats Chief Editor

    In our latest podcast episode, we check in with one of the busiest people in the world to find out how she’s currently spending her time.

    Billie Eilish is having the craziest year. Having dominated headlines, sold out stadium shows, racked up countless awards including five Grammys and delivered the latest James Bond Song, she was omnipresent in pop culture. Constantly on the move.

    All of a sudden, within the past few weeks, the fast, globetrotting life of Billie Eilish–like many of ours–came to a standstill. Finding herself back at home and away from the road for an undetermined amount of time, the 18-year-old Angelino sat down–via video chat with our former Editor-in-Chief Derek Opperman. “I haven’t had this much time off since I was 12,” she says in the interview.

    With her singular artistic vision, unique style and unprecedented refusal to obey the music industry’s rules set up for pop stars of previous generations, she’s unlike any pop star the world has seen before, and the only one to be born in this century, no less. The inherent pressures that come with this status are obvious, and it wouldn’t be wild to assume the emotional toll it can take on a person.

    “I am obviously always thinking about my actions and how they’re impacting the world and people,” she admits. This is one of the reasons why–unlike the “screen-obsessed” stereotype sometimes associated with her generation–she’s taking some much-needed time off from technology, opting for a more holistic approach to it instead. As she discloses in the interview, she’s grateful for the journey she’s been on so far, despite how hard it’s been on her at times. “Who knew [this] would be my life. It’s amazing. I love my life – finally.”

    Speaking candidly from the comfort of her home, Eilish dives into a myriad of topics such as her relationship with her hometown, social media, detachment from her friends, and how she’s been spending her recent downtime.

    For more podcast episodes, check out our podcast section here.

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  • Culture

    7 Electronic Music Podcasts to Keep You Entertained This Weekend

    Now is the perfect time to binge-listen

    Let’s face it, we all miss the club right now. While there’s certainly nothing quite like having your eardrums massaged by your favorite club’s PA on a night out, podcasts can be a great way to stay connected to club culture and expand your knowledge.

    Our TEB staff is full of podcast buffs who have compiled some of our favorite episodes centering dance music. From the stories behind some of the most legendary clubs and parties to deep conversations with musical legends, there’s something for all ears.

    Nightclubbing: The Loft

    The Nightclubbing series sets out to tell the stories of famous nightclubs. Stories that go beyond the actual locations. Hosted by reporter and producer Julia Alsop and Red Bull Music’s Todd Burns, it’s is a must for music history buffs and club kids alike. This episode focuses on perhaps nightlife’s most influential setting of all time – Manhattan’s The Loft. No need to queue – jump right in.

    Berlin Zwanzig: A City in 20 Songs / Ricardo Villalobos

    The Berlin Zwanzig series explores the magic of the German capital and the music that came out it. From underground rap to the city’s world-renowned club scene, each episode delves into a specific song that helped shape a genre, a scene, or a generation – from the Berlin perspective. This episode discusses the cult of Ricardo Villalobos who has become the face of German minimal techno and house. Few albums have enjoyed as much longevity as Villalobos’ 2003 effort “Alcachofa” – and none have been able to recreate that special vibe and style. Music journalist and former Electronic Beats staff writer Sven von Thülen and Vivian Host hone in on how a record could achieve to be minimalist and sinfonic at the same time and how the man behind it managed to be a hero and a buddy at once. A must-listen for fans of Berlin house.

    Undone: Disco Demolition Night

    This is the story about the night disco music died. Brought to us by the heavyweights at Gimlet Media, this episode looks back at “Disco Demolition Night”, a summer night in 1979 in which a Chicago rock radio DJ with a vendetta against disco music invited the crowd at a baseball game to throw their disco records into the playing field for them to be destroyed. What started as a goofy stunt quickly turned into violence and a public display of racism and hate that eventually led to the sunsetting of an entire genre. This is the opener of an eight-episode season of intriguing stories you thought were about endings – that are actually about beginnings.

    The Hour: Kerri Chandler

    In this episode, influential house producer and DJ Kerri Chandler plays musical tour guide, guiding listeners around the boroughs of New York. From his first gig opening for his dad in a New Jersey club aged 13 to sets at New York institutions like Paradise Garage and Shelter, Chandler’s life experience and artistic development are strongly linked to the area. Come along as Chandler revisits the places around Manhattan that shaped his life and music.

    NOT 97

    NOT 97 may have established itself as the go-to source for discovering electronic music artists you have probably never heard of. In weekly installments, three hosts and a special guest present two fresh songs each before discussing and analyzing them. Dive in, discover hidden gems and be ahead of the curve. The latest episode’s guest is New York DJ KittySayWord.

    Sound + Process

    Although currently inactive, the Chicago-based Sound + Process podcast is comprised of contributors to LINES, an electronic music crowdsourcing community. Explore an archive of insightful conversations between artists and creatives. Through giving a platform to a variety of people, from multi-instrumentalists and composers to designers and programmers, the underlying theme that unites the talks is deconstructing electronic and experimental works and may have an effect on you approach electronic music and its creators. As an appetizer, dive into this episode featuring Joshua Saddler. Under the moniker ioflow, he combines field recordings and piano improvisations to create a soundtrack to the Californian wilderness. Listen and let your mind project the imagery.

    Stamp The Wax – Monday Morning Mixtape

    This well-curated podcast is a treasure trove of sound. If you consider your music taste to be firmly cemented, the Monday Morning Mixtape will make you think again while throwing some of the most exotic genres at you. From Finnish experimental dub and Cameroonian electronic futurism to psychedelic minimal and ethereal Japanese ambient. True to the name, this podcast will give you a slow start to the day – keep this one in mind once you get to commute to work again. Until then, let it be the soundtrack to your virtual yoga class. This episode is curated by Jess Farley, co-founder of Welsh festival Headroom.

    Additional graphic design by Sofia Apunnikova

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  • Music

    Telekom Electronic Beats, Native Instruments and Warp Records Launch Remix Contest

    Battles want electronic music makers to remix their newest album, Juice B Crypts. Here’s how to get involved and add your creative twist.

    As shows and club nights are canceled until further notice, it’s more important than ever to keep our beloved music communities together and animated from home. That’s why Telekom Electronic Beats is teaming up with Native Instruments and Warp Records for a new iteration of the ongoing #RemixThis competition series on Metapop, a platform helping aspiring producers and music makers grow their skills and get heard. 

    Warp Records’ experimental rock band Battles have turned to the Native Instruments’ Metapop community for an album remix of their latest release, Juice B Crypts. The challenge is simple: Can you put a new spin on their signature sound of jittery guitar riffs and intricate, polyrhythmic drum patterns?

    Battles have supplied loops and samples to Metapop and are looking for an entirely fresh take that still encapsulates the album’s thrumming indie-electronic essence. Battles will then choose a winner and Native Instruments will award them with a grand prize suite worth over €2000.

    Are you a producer with a home set up who’s up for the challenge? You can join the competition here, download the stems, and get remixing.

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  • News

    Berlin Senate Agrees to €100 Million Emergency Fund to Save Creative Culture

    This government subsidy is a crucial lifeline for the city's club scene.

    Club culture in Berlin was already at risk at the beginning of the year, but the impact of COVID-19 only threatens to deepen the crisis. There is no way to sugarcoat this. The Senate, however, is now offering an emergency subsidy to save micro-companies from closure. From tomorrow, Friday, March 27th, small businesses like clubs and other creative institutions can apply for up to €15,000 for a 3-month grant to help them through the shutdown. The federal government is also offering aid to artists, as well as Berlin’s creative spaces, whose existence relies on community support by backing up actionable platforms like United We Stream. For more information on initiatives supporting club culture globally, head to Nighttime.org.

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    You can find a round-up of some of our favorite live streams here.

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  • Culture

    6 Essential Reads That Set the Record Straight on Dance Music History

    Trust us–reading about music can be just as stimulating as dancing to it.

    Those of us who are into dance music know that it’s so much more than just a genre. It’s deeply rooted in the spirit of community. It’s about sharing creative impulses, which can take various shapes and forms beyond sound. The culture is full of luminaries, freaks, and visionaries, and unpacking one aspect of dance music and the culture surrounding it only leads curious fans down another rabbit hole. Over the years, the Telekom Electronic Beats staff has devoured these books, which we felt inclined to share with you. Consider this your guide to digging deep into club culture’s origins, its aesthetics, uncharted territories, larger-than-life characters and above all: the overwhelming power of music.

    Berghain: Art in the Club 

    By now it’s common knowledge that one of Berlin’s most iconic clubs isn’t simply a mecca for ravers but also a place where pure hedonism and fine art collides: Berghain | Art In The Club shows how visual art, music, architecture, human bodies, and minds are connected. Readers get a glimpse of Der Tanzteppich of Norbert Bisky, well known from the ballet MASSE and prints of temporary tattoos designed by Marc Brandenburg, displayed in one of the halls at Berghain. Ali Kepenek arranges photographs out of his series Eastside and Istanbul. Notorious Sven Marquardt, of course, chips in with some photographs as well – using his colleagues as models. Loaded with photos, illustrations and interviews with artists, accompanied by essays, stories and poems in both English and German, this book pays tribute to the legendary Berghain, its artists, and staff.  

    Come On In My Kitchen: The Robert Johnson Book 

    If you wanted to dance the night away in the years 2007 and 2008, roughly a decade after Offenbach’s renowned techno club “Robert Johnson” opened its doors, you’d have to go in the blind faith that an outstanding – and unannounced DJ would perform that night. By keeping the lineup a secret until the very last moment, the team wanted to limit DJ hype culture and crowds that would only flock by for big names. Was this a pure gesture for the love of music or a genius marketing strategy? We’ll never know. “Come on in My Kitchen”, taken from a song by the blues singer and the club’s namesake Robert Johnson, explores the rich history of the club and traces Frankfurt’s early techno scene. Published by co-founder and DJ Atanasios “Ata” Macias and Christoph Keller, the coffee-table-book contains 380 pages full of exclusive photographs, interviews, and essays about nightlife and the origins of techno, merged with personal anecdotes.

    Die Welt ist eine Pudel

    The old adage “Never judge a book by its cover” is obviously not wisdom that applies in this case. Without a doubt, one of the hallmarks of Hamburg’s infamous Golden Pudel Club is its visual identity, created by the illustrator Alex Solman since 2004. In 2017, his work for the Golden Pudel was published, featuring 188 illustrations of DJs and artists such as Four Tet, Blawan, Mike Patton, Helena Hauff, and many more. Musicians like Carsten “Erobique” Meyer, Sleaford Mods and Modeselektor praise the creation as the coffee table book to end all coffee table books.

    Love Saves the Day: A History of American Dance Music

    Love Saves the Day takes on the ambitious task to tell the definitive story of disco music and its origins in New York. Tales of the humble and the narcissistic, of drugs and sex and money, as told to and presented by Tim Lawrence. He traces the phenomenon of dance music in America in the ’70s from the underground in Hell’s Kitchen to its spread through America’s suburbs to urban hotspots like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Miami. Interspersed with more than three hundred original interviews with the scene’s most influential artists, such as “The Loft” founder David Mancuso, Earl Young, Nicky Siano, and Tom Moulton, it’s a must-read for any disco and dance music history fans out there.

    More Brilliant than the Sun: Adventures in Sonic Fiction

    This book by the British-Ghanaian writer, theorist, and filmmaker, explores electronic music culture from an Afro-diasporic lense. Dance music and the culture surrounding it, of course, originated in the later parts of the 20th century, in communities of color and the LGBTQ+ scene in America, eventually spilling over to other parts of the world. Drawing on jargon, neologism, and compound words, Eshun’s highly unique writing style ties themes of Afro-American music into science fiction. Many contemporary electronic music artists have cited Eshun’s writing as an inspiration, such as Underground Resistance, Alice Coltrane, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Parliament-Funkadelic, as well as Hyperdub founder Kode9, AKA Steve Goodman, who contributed the book’s introduction. It’s a highly recommendable read for those who want to dig deeply into the subject matter of electronic music history, media theory, and science fiction.

    The Fabulous Sylvester: The Legend, the Music, the Seventies in San Francisco

    An endlessly entertaining story of a singer who represented the freedom and the spirit of a golden moment in American culture, The Fabulous Sylvester is a chronicle of the birth of San Francisco’s flourishing gay scene and the counterculture of the late ’60s. Yale graduate and sociologist Joshua Gamson brings his main character, the legendary singer Sylvester, to life with a nuanced retelling of his story leading up to the ’70s. Beyond merely hippies, Haight-Ashbury, and flower crowns, the book is a portal into the past and a tender portrait of a scene that is often overlooked or misunderstood.

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  • Music

    Dance to These Live Streams Without Leaving Your House

    Can't go clubbing this weekend? Fear not, your virtual nightlife directory is here

    The coronavirus pandemic is impacting the music scene in dramatic ways. With DJs, musicians, promoters, clubs, and their staff suddenly seeing their regular source of income vanish, many clubs are turning their (hopefully temporary) closures into an opportunity to broadcast sets straight to their fans’ living rooms. Just in time for the weekend, the Telekom Electronic Beats staff has rounded up some of the best live streams in the past and forthcoming to tide you over the club-free nights ahead.

    Nicolás Jaar

    On Thursday, April 16th, Nicolás Jaar will live stream a two-hour mix of his. Mostly consisting of exclusive material such as unreleased tracks and edits, the stream will kick off at 8 pm CEST. The Chilean producer has had a fruitful year, with two LPs out already – Against All Logic – 2017 – 2019 and Cenizas. You can listen to a trailer of the mix below.

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    Nacht Eins Stream Of Consciousness x Telekom Electronic Beats

    On Friday evening Cologne club JAKI opens its virtual doors to for another Digital Clubnight with Telekom Electronic Beats. Expect to hear a slew of specially themed sets from MK Braun, presenting his “Summer Slowdown: 45rpm records strictly on 33rpm” mix, Bas Grossfeldt’s “Overrated Kicks: Techno without kickdrums” set, Christian S’ “Digital Riddim Extravaganza” and DJ Longsleeve’s “Music for Restaurants”. The clubnight will kick off from 8pm CEST on our Facebook page.

    United We Stream

    One of the biggest live streaming initiatives to have launched in light of the Coronavirus pandemic is United We Stream. Each day, one of the participating Berlin clubs is set up to take over the broadcast. On Friday you can tune into Kater Blau, on Saturday the legendary Pornceptual crew takes over from Alte Münze and on Sunday, Griessmühle presents Rebekah, Ellen Alien and Inhalt der Nacht from their “exile” in Alte Münze. Tune in every day this weekend from 7 pm CET to midnight CET. Additionally, you can donate to the initiative to ensure that your favorite club can reopen its doors when the shutdown ends.

    Tempio del Futuro Perduto

    Milan’s cultural center Tempio del Futuro Perduto is hosting what they called “the longest DJset in the world.” The club’s DJs who are currently living in quarantine in the artistic residences of the Temple have decided to try to beat the record of the longest DJ set in the World: a marathon without interruptions lasting 340 hours. Starting at 9 pm CET, the club’s residents will perform for two weeks straight. Italy is, of course, the country in Italy which has been hit hardest by the Coronavirus pandemic in Europe. The record, if it beats the current one of 240h set in Nigeria in 2016, will be dedicated to the Italian health and medical personnel. The Tempio del Futuro Perduto stream aims to raise funds for the Covid-19 relief efforts in Italy.

    C minus TV

    Kansas-based podcast and compilation series c- is quietly growing into the most beloved platforms to showcase underground electronic music on Soundcloud, with mixes like Aurora Halal’s “Summer of Self Love” and Khotin’s “Your Name On a Grain of Rice” racking up serious numbers. This Saturday, you can tune into streams from a globally dispersed group of c- affiliates, including Beta Librae, Nadia Khan and Perila.

    Replay These Sets

    Blitz residents

    Last Friday, following club’s temporary closure, Munich’s Blitz streamed sets by residents Zenker Brothers, Sedef Adasi and Muallem. Adasi kicked off the stream with her energetic mix of body-rocking house and euphoric breaks while sipping on a glass of prosecco, her drink of choice. Muallem took things into deeper territories, with a consistent selection of slick dance floor gems. Finally, Bavarian bass hero’s Zenker Brothers closed things off with a slew of old-school hip-hop records. You can also learn more about their studio process in our feature on EB.TV.

    Peach, Shanti Celeste, and Saoirse B2B

    peach-dj

    London’s Peach, Shanti Celeste, and Saoirse’s fruitful friendship has seen them become regular B2B collaborators. While usually bringing their combined skills to places like Strawberry Fields, Panorama Bar or various clubs in the UK, last Friday they hunkered down and streamed an impromptu epic 3-hour session “from Peach’s gaf”. Revisit their intimate house party here.

    Salon zur Wilden Renate

    Every Berlin Club Worth Going To In 2018 Techno Underground Party Salon zur Wilden Renate


    Although the doors at Elsenbrücke remain closed for the time being, the club’s parties will go ahead online. For this purpose, Salon zur Wilden Renate even created a custom website with the slogan “Live From Renate”, including a countdown to the next session. You can listen back to sets from Ash Lauryn, Cyan85 and many more on Ray Kajioka on Renate’s Facebook.

    We will continue updating this post as more live streams appear. For suggestions, please contact info@electronicbeats.net

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  • News

    Shutdown? These Free Music Resources Will Keep You Busy

    Emerge from your hermetically sealed, spotlessly clean quarantine chamber as a renewed artist.

    These are uneasy times for the electronic music community. In light of the Coronavirus pandemic and the necessity of social distancing as a matter of public health, everyone is hunkering down. If you’re suddenly finding yourself with free time on your hands, here are some resources to get your creative juices flowing in the midst of the COVID-19 shutdowns. Say no to the club–at least for now.

    Try your hand at Ableton

    Ableton just announced the extension of the trial period for their Ableton Live 10 software from 14 days to 90 days. If you’ve ever thought about making electronic music, giving the program a shot could be a great first step.

    Try out Logic Pro X for free

    Mac users can now try Apple’s music production software, which usually costs €230 Euros, for 90 days.  A close competitor of Ableton, Logic Pro X was never available for a trial period – until now. The software offers everything you need to produce music or other audio projects, including a large collection of effects, instruments, and unique sounds.

    Download these free synth apps

    As of yesterday, Moog and Korg have waived the fee for downloads of their synth apps Minimoog Model D iOS and Kaossilator. A statement from Korg reads: “Schools, workplaces, and meetings worldwide have been requested to close by their respective governments and so many people are studying and working from home. To help you with a musical way to occupy your mind we have decided to make the Kaossilator app for iOS and Android free of charge for a limited time.”

    It’s not clear how long Moog’s iOS version of the Minimoog Model D iOS app will be available for free. Built after the iconic hardware original, which was first released in 1970, the app includes new features such as four-note polyphony, an arpeggiator, looper, and ping-pong delay. Scoop it up while you still can.

    Learn DJing tricks with Octo Octa and Eris Drew

    Photo credit: Courtesy of the artists

    Back in January, Octo Octa released an in-depth guide on how to set up a home studio. In it, she details her personal approach to music-making and gives helpful tips and tricks for bedroom producers who are just starting out. This week, Octo Octa and Eris Drew published a joint guide titled “Hot n’ Ready DJ Tips, Tricks, & Techniques”, in which they lay out various DJing techniques and include helpful pointers for DJs such as negotiating fees, plus best practices for performers. As Octo Octa and Eris Drew put it: “We just want to share our knowledge and experiences to hopefully help others, not make them feel othered by declarations of ‘this is what a real DJ does.’ We’re all working on improving and elevating our art together.” You can read the guide, which has been updated today, here.

    Create an EP with Nathan Melja

    Photo credit: Antoine Ott

    Paris-based Nathan Melja recently released “Synesthesia”, a spaced-out minimal club gem, with remixes by Pariah and Anthony Naples, for Kalahari Oyster Cult and is a resident on Rinse France. On Sunday, he announced on Twitter that he would host a virtual music production session, in which fans could chime in via chat, leading to a collaborative EP “by the end of the week.” He added, “it’s now time to get all together and show the complete opposite of selfishness.” You can join the stream here.

    japanese city pop 80s vinyl mix

    Live-stream your DJ set at home

    Music business writer Cherie Hu has published her “Virtual Music Events Directory”. The extensive Google Doc contains a calendar of virtual/live-streamed events as well as a live-streaming tool directory for artists and bedroom DJs. Taking cues from the Shanti Celeste, Peach, Saoirse, DJ Marcelle, we hope to see more home live-streamed sessions by our favorite artists popping up in the next few weeks.

    Catch up on gear talks with EB.TV

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    Dig into our archives of over 60 Tech Talks, in which some of the most respected names in electronic music explain how they work in the studio.

    We will continue updating this post as more resources appear. For suggestions, please contact info@electronicbeats.net

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  • Music

    Test Your Knowledge of House Classics in the New Episode of Blind Test

    Apply now for a chance to be featured on our YouTube channel.

    How well do you know house music? Think you could name most of the genre’s most notorious tracks?

    For the newest episode of Blind Test—the ongoing series on our YouTube channel where the scene’s biggest DJs are quizzed on dance music’s biggest records—we’re inviting two members of the Berlin community to participate.

    If you live in Berlin and think you can hold your own against our internationally-acclaimed DJ guests, apply here now. Check out the previous episode of Blind Test below, and stay tuned to our YouTube channel every Tuesday for new videos like these!

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  • Music

    ​Kasper Bjørke on ​Climate Change​ and the Need to ​Travel

    “I​ hope to inspire other people and DJs, to think about the climate when they plan their tour. ”

    International DJ gigs, long-distance flights and climate protection – how can these things be linked together? The Danish DJ, producer and music manager Kasper Bjørke is taking up this polemic question and has been committed to reducing his carbon footprint since he became a parent five years ago. Among other things, the environmentally-conscious DJ is avoiding air travel as much as possible and tries to tour only to cities that are reachable by train. For the Telekom Electronic Beats Podcast, Kasper Bjørke met Gesine Kühne right before his performance at Grace Club in Milan. In this interview, he talks about traveling 25 hours by train for a gig and how he likes to spend his time. He describes how his environmentally friendly decisions are shaping his career and that he hopes to inspire others without shaming anyone. But how can the music and club scene be more sustainable in the long term? How can DJs, club owners, bookers and agents become more active? The conversation with Kasper Bjørke is meant to inspire reflection.

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