Deep Grooves From Berlin - We Caught Up With Dilby
- Markus Saarländer
- Apr 5, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 6, 2023
We're so excited to continue our beloved Berlin Mixtapes Series, which has featured awesome guests so far. After a little break, we are back and have a number of very exciting artists that we'll be featuring over the coming months.
Next up we welcome Dilby who has been taking the House Music world by storm with his unique Deep and Tech sound. His original productions and remixes regularly feature in the Top 100 charts on Beatport. As well as gaining chart success, Dilby’s music is regularly charted and played by top DJ’s ranging from legends like Danny Tenaglia and DJ Sneak to modern frontrunners like Maceo Plex, Claptone and Hot Since 82. You can find him on a selection of amazing record labels including Mother Recordings, Bondage Music, Glasgow Underground, Toolroom and more.
Dilby’s creative passion for electronic music keeps him busy in the studio. His tunes champion a signature groove and attention to detail that sets them apart from the crowd. His music is crafted from a classic house and techno pallet but presented with a fresh, modern and individual aesthetic. They are full of rich musical influences; from dub to progressive rock, ambient and tribal rhythms, but rest assured, they’re aimed squarely at the dance floor.
New Zealand born, Dilby lives and breathes house music. From a young age Dilby has been obsessed with hunting and collecting music and has always been passionate about sharing these treasures with others. This is evident in his DJ sets, which span genres and create an infectious and hypnotic groove on the dance floor.
Dilby was first introduced to underground electronic music through the rave scene of the 90’s. His excitement and passion for everything house grew until he began DJing in early 2001. Since then he has not looked back and continues to grow and evolve his sound and skills on the decks. Dilby has played the best clubs and festivals all over New Zealand and has shared the stage with many of the world’s top DJ’s along his journey.
After making the move to Berlin in 2012, he quickly rose through the ranks to become a regular favourite in the city's scene. Now you can catch him entertaining crowds across Europe, where his sets are very well received in many of the top clubs as well as festivals such as Sonar and ADE. We caught up with Dilby to find out more!
Hi Dilby, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Hey, I'm good thanks. I'm in the studio all day everyday baby. I try to keep things pretty focused and chill during the week.
How long have you been in Berlin and what made you make the move all the way from New Zealand?
My wife (girlfriend at the time) and I came in 2012 for a one year vacation and never left. I was burned out from my old corporate job and we decided a reset was in order, turns out it ended up being a full system reboot, haha!
Do you still go back to New Zealand and is there much of an electronic scene where you're from?
I was just back there touring in January and February which was amazing. I played some really cool shows in New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia but the highlight was Shipwrecked Festival by far. My good homie Logan Baker has made a world class little festival and it keeps going from strength to strength. Also, shout out to my booker Jacob from Thick As Thieves for being a legend and making it all happen!
What do you miss most from home?
The food and coffee for sure. Germany has a lot of amazing things to offer but in these areas they are a bit behind. That said, it's always nice to visit the UK as you guys know what's up with food and beverage!
We have been big fans of yours at Berlin-Brighton for some time, your tracks often get an outing on our radio shows and on the terraces on Brighton beach in the summer. Are there any releases that are your stand out favourites or that have special memories or resonance with you?
That's awesome to hear, I appreciate the support and glad you guys are feeling what I'm doing. I have a pretty extensive back catalogue, but the track I have played the most is Full Hearts & Empty Pockets on Ohral. It's been in almost every set I've played since it was finished (including my mix for Berlin-Brighton).
You had a new release that came out on Poker Flat's sister label Sublease Music on 31.03. - Tell us more about that.
It's 3 House cuts on the deep and dubby side of things. Perfect for late nights and early mornings on the dance floor. The support has been phenomenal and pretty diverse with everyone from Mihai Popoviciu to John Digweed to Claptone getting behind it, and of course Steve Bug has been smashing it in his sets too. It's a real honour to be working with a legend like Steve, I've been a fan of his music and labels for well over a decade now!
What else can you tell us about future releases, anything exciting in the pipeline? I've got originals and remixes coming on Bondage Music, Deepalma, 3000Grad, Kalus:elle, Glasgow Underground amongst others. I also have a couple of the biggest releases of my career tee'd up but i have to keep them under wraps for now.
Where was your first gig in Berlin?
A tiny little club in Kreuzberg called Kleine Reise, which no longer exists unfortunately.
You have been in Berlin for a good few years now, where's your favourite place to just kick back and chill?
Strassenbräu near Ostkreuz has great craft beer. I highly recommend paying them a visit.
And equally, where's your favourite place to let loose?
Sisyphos. It's my happy place.
Have you ever visited Brighton?
I have not, but would love to. It looks like a real gem of the UK. The first thing that comes to mind when I hear "Brighton" is the Fatboy Slim set from 2002 on the beach, it's still so epic.
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
Wow, there are so many, too many to name. But Gorge, Audiojack, Mihai Popoviciu and Zoo Brazil are always firm favourites amongst countless others.
What are your go to labels?
Again, the list is almost endless but Bondage-Music, 8bit, Knee Deep In Sound and Poker Flat are some of my favourites.
You have compiled our latest Berlin Mixtapes Series Episode 041 - Tell us more about your mix.
It's a deep and groovy selection of house cuts. It covers a pretty broad scope of styles which I always like to do. I would say it's pretty representative of stuff I like to play in my sets, so it's my sound, but not peak time. It's still keeping things chilled enough to chuck on at home with friends, perfect for warming up the night before heading out.
What else can we expect from you soon? What's next on the horizon for DJ gigs wise productions? Where can people see you next?
Lots of tours are planned, with Mexico and South America coming up this summer and of course lots of stuff regularly around Germany and the rest of Europe. The best place to keep up to date on that stuff is my Instagram. Also, I'm playing at Sisyphos early morning on April 16 which is always special so if you're in Berlin, make sure you come along.
Thanks for spending some time with us, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
Thanks for having me, the pleasure is all mine. If people want to stay up to date on what's going on the best way is via my socials. But also check out my YouTube page where I post weekly production content.
Exciting stuff! It's been an absolute pleasure talking with you Dilby. Next up here's the Quickfire Round:
Genre: House
Favourite Colour: Depends on the fit
Where in Berlin are you: Currently Friedrichshain
What do you put on your chips? Ketchup with Burgers or Malt Vinegar with Fish n Chips
Apple or Android: Android
Pioneer or Denon: Pioneer
Ableton or Logic: Ableton
Can you juggle?: Nope
Weirdest/Coolest item of clothing: I prefer classic / timeless fits
Do you collect anything? Fragrances
Favourite place to hang out in Berlin: My balcony with family and friends
Best club: Sisyphos
Favourite Bar/Pub: Strassenbräu
Best Beer: Parrotdog Bitter Bitch IPA
Favourite place to eat: Lon Men' Noodle House
View on Sauerkraut: With the right dish, for sure
Favourite Wurst: A nice Cheese Kransky
Weirdest food you have eaten? I'll try anything once
How do you like your eggs? Poached (Eggs Bennie)
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Spring, summer, autumn or winter? Summer
Favourite Footy Team: You what mate?.. I'm from New Zealand, we don't really do football
Favourite Track right now: Traumer - Azure [Herzblut] / Jamie Stevens & Anthony Pappa - Here We Go [Selador] / Danny Serrano - Ravey [8bit]
Favourite word: Please / thank you
3 words to describe your mix: Good House Music
Tracklist: 1. Dilby - Under Your Skin (Original Mix) - Sublease Music
2. AGMA - Rantata (Original Mix) - Sounds of Khemit
3. Wesley Holmes, Lar Gibbons - Half Light Sway (Jordan Strong Remix) - Uniting Souls Music
4. Sascha Dive - Motorcity Groove (Original Mix) - Bondage-Music
5. Patrischa, Dimitri - Booka Babe (Original Mix) - klaus:elle
6. Malóne, Riveron - Don't Look Back (Extended Mix) - Nervous Records
7. Virak, TCKS - Siento Libre (Band&dos Remix) Adesso Music
8. Cristoph - Time feat. Awen (Extended Mix) - DFTD
9. Julian Millan - Face Reflection (Original Mix) - Monday Social Music
10. Minus & Zianos - As One (Original Mix) - Knee Deep In Sound
11. Tijuana - Groove Is In The Air (Dilby Edit) - White Label
12. Dowden - Grindavik (Ivanshee Remix) - Yin
13. Pig&Dan - Riddler feat. Siavash - Mobilee Records
14. Dilby - Passing Notes (Original Mix) - Circus Recordings
15. Dilby, Julian Millan - Full Hearts and Empty Pockets (Original Mix) - Ohral
16. Markus Homm - A Long Time Coming (Original Mix) - Valiant Records
17. Houston (UK) - Addicted (Original Mix) - Serrano's Kitchen
18. Yves Murasca, Rosario Galati - Lo Que Siento (Dilby Remix) - Deepalma
19. Dilby - Live Free (Original Mix) - Sublease Music
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