Approaching techno with warehouse melodies, powerful drums, driving basslines, and hypnotic arpeggios is Berlin-based DJ Flanko. Around Berlin, Flanko is known within the underground scene, particularly for his warehouse and festival-sounding sets. But Flanko is more than just a DJ who creates meaningful sounds, he is also an individual who creates a meaningful mindset when it comes to friendships, loyalty, productivity, and living life to its fullest.
Inspirationally, Flanko’s DJ alias is in honor of his close friend Max Kelm who passed away — Max gave him the name “Flanko”, and from there, it was set in stone of the alias name Flanko that we know as today. With Flanko, you get more than just a great set, you gain an unforgettable experience that’s been weaved from adversity, passion, and pure determination.
With 6AM, Flanko shares his perspective of maneuvering through Berlin, gaining support from Township Rebellion, Teenage Mutants, Alex Stein, Stoked, Patrick Scuro, NoNameLeft, Clap Codex, Sabura, Heerhorst, Karim Alkayhat, and many others — Beatport charting his track “Stay Silent” twice, as well as his future expectations moving forward.
Welcome back to 6AM Flanko. From premiering your upcoming track “Stay Silent” on our SoundCloud channel, we’re excited to get to know you and your music more in-depth. What’s been keeping you busy lately?
Since a while, I get booked regularly and I played a lot of gigs in the last months. Actually, I love to keep myself busy with my daily studio routine, which takes around 2-8hrs each day.
“I love to keep myself busy with my daily studio routine.”
Artists should always maintain a schedule of some sort for mental and physical clarity
Read Next: Premiere: Flanko “Stay Silent” – Alula Tunes
As a Berlin-based DJ/Producer, do you have any favorite club hot spots that you like to go to or perform at? To you, what makes the techno/underground scene in Berlin powerful?
My most favorite place without a doubt is Sisyphos — it is also the club I like to party at most. The Berlin club scene is diverse and represents a special sound. Also, the underground scene which takes place in some secret lost-place-rave makes the scene very unique here.
Speaking of powerful, your alias name is one that is very meaningful. You named yourself in memory of one of your closest friends who was nicknamed Flanko. It’s honestly admirable that you centered your space and art around someone who continues to mean a lot to you. How does his name still inspire your music to this day?
I set this name to always remember my good old friend Max Kelm. He committed suicide a couple of years ago which was connected to depression. I like to remember the good old times with him. A lot of people ask me about the name and I always like to talk about it. The name always inspires me to think about my close people who passed away and gives me more drive to keep on going.
“I like to remember the good old times with him. He committed suicide a couple of years ago which was connected to depression. The name always inspires me to think about my close people who passed away and gives me more drive to keep on going.”
Honoring the people we love through what we do showcases a powerful statement of who we are.
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We recently just premiered a track of yours “Stay Silent” that’ll be coming out on Alula Tunes on September 30th, 2022. The track also got played at multiple festivals, clubs, and got signed by Beatport Hype Top Number 1/Beatport Main Top 6 Label Alula Tunes. Walk us through your creative process that went on this project for it to do well.
“Stay Silent” is the first track I produced with my new analog gear. I invited a friend to record the vocals. She is a very talented German musician and her voice fitted perfectly in the track. Actually, I rarely have an idea in mind before the process. I know Ableton really well and know how to experiment. So I like to divide the track into simple single steps and try to do them as best as I can. I always want to have my tracks driving, powerful, but also melodic— so I kind of know what I like to achieve.
“I always want to have my tracks driving, powerful, but also melodic — so I kind of know what I like to achieve.”
Knowing what you already like paves the way for you achieving your goal without any distractions.
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Clap Codex also remixed his version of “Stay Silent” as well. He, along with Teenage Mutants, Alex Stein, Patrick Scuro, Peter Pahn, NoNameLeft, and Sabura have also supported you during your artist journey. With Clap Codex, what was it about his remix that struck you?
Clap Codex is one of my most favorite producers in the scene. He also became a really good friend of mine and we always have a great time together. The first time I heard the remix I was really surprised at what he made out of the original. The remix was always a secret weapon on my last club gigs, and the reaction from the people was always mind-blowing.
“I was really surprised at what he made out of the original the first time I heard the remix. He also became a really good friend of mine and we always have a great time together.”
Treat collaborations as more than just a buisiness venture — nurture it as a true friendship as well.
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What else can we expect from you in the future?
A lot of new music is already finished and in the making. I collabed with huge artists in the scene, and I’m very happy that I got the chance to work with some of my heroes. As I said already, my daily studio routine takes a lot of time but is also quite productive. I finished over 20 Tracks this year and many more to come. I’m focused on the goal to travel the whole world with my music, and I will do whatever it takes to make this possible!
“I will do whatever it takes to make this possible!”
Flanko sees what’s ahead for his future — his determination is unwaivering.
Connect with Flanko: SoundCloud丨Facebook丨Beatport丨Instagram
