Next up is one of Berlin’s finest. Dj Pete aka Substance has been working at Hard Wax since 1991. He has released records on Chain Reaction, Counterbalance and Ostgut Ton and also performs live as Scion with Vainqueur and as TR-101 with Sleeparchive. Enjoy!
Hello Pete how are you and what have you been up to recently?
Hello there. As always I am happy to do what I love most, DJing and working on my music production routine. After taking a sabbatical I am back working at Hard Wax, my home base since 1991. I also started with Meditation. I guess learning how to meditate can be very helpful for our stressful life.
You live in Berlin. How would you describe the city and music scene there at the moment?
There have been a lot of changes for the scene since I became a part of it so many years ago, and it will always change. It is still thriving, and there is a steady influx of producers, DJs and and clubbers to keep it going. But the city itself is catching up with other bigger cities in terms of gentrification. On the one hand that was to expected, but on the other hand maybe not so quickly. Now everyday life and rents get more expensive, and there are less and less of the temporary spaces available that were once so crucial when the scene first emerged. The result is that now you have to earn more to get along, when once you could afford to spend more time on just being creative. Significant venues have shut down or will face it eventually. But I spent my whole life here, and I am pretty sure there will be ways to cope with the changes.
What annoys you or has pissed you off lately?
I am almost never really pissed off, but being a core member of the Wax Treatment parties I am sad that it came to an end. There are a lot of great memories attached to those nights, and of course playing the might Killasan. But new things will happen for sure to make up for it.
What excites you besides music?
Being with my loved one, or in the company of other loved ones. I love doing Ashtanga Yoga. Repeating postures that will form series often reminds me on DJing where you put tracks together to a set. I love good food. And I still love going out at night. Whether it has something to do with music again, or not. I sometimes like to build stuff, boxes for records for example and I like making space in my apartment, finding furniture and look for practical solutions for small rooms.
Anything coming up you want to share with us?
I just finished a Remix for Wazoo, a Drummer and producer from London.
Any shout-outs or final statements?
Party Smart 😉