João is originally from Portugal and a frequent visitor to Berlin. A longtime vinyl digger, he’s been behind the decks since 1982. Though he’s a mechanical engineer by profession, everyone around him knows he can’t stay away from DJing for too long. Our music curator, Dani Mota, met João years ago and has been a fan ever since—particularly of his musical versatility, which allows him to explore an impressively wide range of sounds. His mix is effortlessly fluid, bouncing and grooving from genre to genre. Moving from acid to breaks, from laid-back beats to fast-paced kicks, the set takes you on a high-energy journey—wherever you want it to go. Interview by Dani Mota. Read below and have a listen.
DM: What was the first record you ever bought, and do you still have it?
J: The first album I ever bought was Trans Europe Express by Kraftwerk, back in 1977—the French version. I still have it, in near-mint condition. That record was one of the main reasons I fell in love with electronic music. (Festival Só Rock, Coimbra, 1981. João, standing third from the left.)
DM: When was your first time in Berlin? How often have you been back since?
J: Since that first visit, I must’ve been back to Berlin around 14 or 15 times. These days, I try to go at least twice a year.
DM: What draws you to the city beyond the music?
J: Besides the clubbing scene—which is truly unmatched anywhere in the world and a direct extension of the city’s relationship with music—what keeps pulling me back is the urban culture, the art, the creativity and innovation, the alternative fashion, and above all, the powerful sense of freedom that defines Berlin.
DM: Your set at the Hotel Lobby had a distinct energy. What was the inspiration behind your track selection?
J: The set I played at Casa Camper was created live, on the spot. It was my way of sharing a glimpse of my current taste in electronic music while also proving that, even in a short amount of time, it’s possible to build up energy gradually—without abrupt transitions—keeping the audience engaged from the first tap of the foot to full-on dancing.
While BPMs aren't everything, I did start around 100 and ended close to 140 BPM, with no harsh jumps for the listener. Give me one more hour and I would've pushed it even further…
Hope you enjoy it!
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HAPPENINGS
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