Berlin there, done that

The expression, "Time flies when you're having fun" has never resonated with me quite so much as it has thinking back to this trip. The three weeks in France & Germany that had me see about a dozen different cities, towns and cute little villages all happened so damn fast, too damn fast to be honest. As much as I missed my super comfy bed and my gorgeous little dog & cats... the charming villages of the South of France and the lovely German people and their BANGING clubs will definitely see me again!

We didn't hit up any proper night spots in France at all. The sight seeing was too much and we were exhausted by 11pm every night. But once in Berlin there was really only one place that I HAD to find my way to: BERGHAIN (and of course Panorama). About halfway through the week in Berlin I had a realization. What if we didn't get into Berghain!? With it's notoriously tough (some might say ridiculous[Richie Hawtin]) door policy it was entirely possible that after waiting all week for the culmination of our trip.... we would leave empty handed. I got mildly panicked and had a peak on Resident Advisor on Wednesday night to see what was going on in one of the most important cities in the dance music World midweek. We came across a night called Well Done! and as luck would have it.... its a Wednesday weekly party celebrating its 4th anniversary with Oliver $ headlining at a club called Suicide Circus. The club was perfect and all I expected from a place in Berlin. Hard to find, dark, with no real flash to it, unbelievably smokey and completely fucking awesome.  With a tag line like "Alone? Bored? Desperate? Suicide!" I was pretty confident we were in for a good time.

The tunes were great all night and the crowd was polite and friendly. Though at this point I will point out that they weren't really dancing.... do Europeans not dance? It was more of a bob & sway kinda crowd...but we were definitely dancing.

sight seeing sight seeing sight seeing sight seeing sight seeing sight seeing sight seeing sight seeing

Now to Saturday night and Sunday morning: Berghain.

This mysterious and humongous decommissioned power plant out in East Berlin, that has previously been the #1 club in the World. There were 6 of us going on Saturday night, and if you know of Sven who runs the door there you know that sometimes you get in... and sometimes you don't. After nearly 2 hours waiting, I didn't. Not on the first go around anyway. So after regrouping and going in for another attempt at 9am, I was in. holy shit. The place is exactly what you imagine of a techno club in Berlin... well that with a little slice of The Anvil, that gay bar in the Simpsons episode featuring John Waters that was in a steel plant, because it IS after all a gay club.  Theres all the debauchery you think there would be and its hot and likely the hardest techno I have ever heard. ever. like ever ever. When I left the there was noticeable tension in my shoulders from the onslaught of beats... please don't take that as a complaint. I loved every minute of it.

A few of us even ventured back at 9pm to see Move D up in Panorama... it was a totally different vibe late on Sunday. I'd argue better. A much more interesting crowd, better music and Move D was pretty awesome and funky. I had a flight back to Canada at 12:30pm Monday so staying out until 5am was likely not the wisest thing I've ever done... but I'm so happy I did! Below are some of the tracks I came across during my European journey. There is no real theme here just what i found.

Happy listening!

Super Flu - Jo Gurt (Stephan Bodzin Remix)

Oliver Huntemann - Schatten (Original Mix)

Traumer - Cyclo (Original Mix)

George Ezra - Budapest (Blondee Hagen Bootleg)

WestBam thank you ma'am!

As much music I hear and I read about it's so awesome that I learn something new about something old. I've heard the name WestBam before but don't think I knew any of his tracks until recently. The guy has only been a staple in the German party scene since '83. Including throwing some huge raves and playing at the very first Love Parade. He released a new album with some pretty head turning collaborators. Guys like Bernard Sumner of New Order, Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs, Lil' Wayne, and Kanye West. Clearly this man holds some friggin' clout. Here are a few snippits off his Double album(disc 2 is all instrumental dubs of disc 1) titled Götterstrasse, or God's Street.  Its a pretty awesome album going from New Wave to more Orchestral bangin' choons with some pretty creative vocal performances... Here is my favourite

WestBam - You Need The Drugs Feat. Richard Butler (Original Mix) 

This might sound a bit foolish but is everyone in Germany a music producer? Ok maybe all of Germany is a bit much, maybe producer is even a stretch. but surely all Berliners are DJs? I can think of no other way to explain the constant flow of music that I love that comes out of that one place and the fact that there are so goddamn many different producers! Someday Berlin... someday I'm coming for you. But I fear I might not ever leave once I do.

Cascandy - Goodbye Darling (Original Mix)