Dana Ruh has discreetly been stamping her mark on electronic music since 2007, when she introduced her own label Brouqade Records. Since then, her output of deep and groovy house music has been unparalleled and consistent featuring on Cocoon Recordings, Underground Quality and Ostgut Ton, which is an impressive CV. Also, her ability as a DJ is highly respectable. Gracing the decks regularly at Cocoon parties in Ibiza as well as in her homeland of Germany in world renowned venues including Berghain and Club der Visionaere, Ruh is a busy international DJ that has become an ambassador for the female electronic music scene.

MEOKO managed to catch up with her in between an active schedule to chat about her progressions with her label, a new project and her forthcoming summer appearances.

Hi Dana, how are you today?

Im fine, I’m in the studio, I’m all good!

How did your last set go and where did you play at?

Let me check my schedule! I played a long weekend which started in Frankfurt, then I was in Berlin at Hoppetosse, followed by London for the Melt music after party in the loft which was really cool!

What has been your most exciting project or experience so far this year?

I have been doing a lot of exciting things involving music including a new project with a friend who is doing distribution for vinyl’s and records which we have started to work on that is really cool. I have also done a promotion mix but I can’t reveal anything yet, but it is exciting because it wasn’t planned!

How did you approach and plan your debut album in comparison to other productions and mixes?

I did not plan an album, I have a lot of tracks on my hard drive, so usually I finish something and collect it for myself.

So it came together naturally?

Yes, at some point I wanted to have some feedback from Jus-Ed because I love what he is doing with the Underground Quality label and I love his taste in music. He has a lot of experience so I was thinking maybe I should send some stuff to him so I sent two CD’s the old school way.

He thought they were really cool so we checked some other tracks and he said ok maybe we should do an album because the music fitted together. Ed did everything including the track list and he had the idea so it came together quite naturally.

What did you learn from working with Jus-Ed?

He has a lot of discipline, and knows what he is doing and has a great attitude and energy to keep things going. I learnt that you just have to do what you want and not what other people are doing and to keep disciplined and professional.

Your record label Brouqade is now in its eighth year, how does it feel to be running such a successful record label?

Well me and my friend Anne started it in 2007, and we were doing quite well as we had a busy release schedule and distribution, but then the company went broke.

We had a little break because we both had to focus on other things so I decided, ok let’s do it again so we started fresh with a relaunch and new graphic.  I met Anthea who joined us when we were releasing more records which meant having a bigger team, so this is how it all fitted together.

What does Brouqade actually mean?

I wanted to have a name that is unique and special. It actually means a clothing material, but if you type it in Google you will find the record label.

How do you manage to keep on top of your record label and balance it with everything else that you’re involved with?

It’s a lot of work to do but I am used to it and I like to work by doing things like producing and running the label. I keep Monday’s free to do administration stuff, then work on music for the rest of the week. I have a good structure! (laughs)

Plus I am not alone, I have my girls with me so we can share what we do which makes it all much easier!

I understand that you have got a residency at Zoo Project and appearances at Cocoon, Ibiza this summer, so how important is the island to you as a DJ?

Well, I already have a lot of things going on already in Berlin, but as an island I love the weather and the sea plus there is a lot going on there. It is really important for my career and my type of work but I would say that I also have similar things in Berlin.

What was your first appearance in Ibiza?

It was in 2010 when I had a set at Space for Kehakuma and also for Zoo Project. I remember Zoo Project’s promoter booked me first and my set at Kehakuma came after that.

How influential do you think Ibiza is for house and techno music?

Very influential, promoters will always looks at who is ‘hot right now’ and will book DJ’s based on that for their own parties. It definitely influences their careers, that’s for sure.

When you play in Ibiza, do you change the style of music that you play?

I don’t really change my style because I have a really wide range of music. If I played at Club De Visionaere, I would prepare for a long set and maybe play a trippier style, but in Ibiza I wouldn’t change what I play.

You’ve done a lot of work with Andre Galluzzi in the past, is this continuing now?

We are having a break right now because I am focusing on my work. He is great to work with though, he has helped me a lot with my production as well as my arrangements because he has performed as a DJ for a really long time now. I am now really organised thanks to him!

Can we look forward to any new productions for the rest of this year?

Yes! There is a techno orientated EP coming out on Fred P’s Soul Music label, which is coming out at some point this year. I am also releasing a new EP on Brouqade, which I would describe as my definition of house, plus another techno track coming out on Cocoon Various Artists.

When you started getting into music did you think that you would have your own label and DJ in renowned venues such as Ibiza?

I didn’t know that it was going to be like this, but I think that you just have to take the possibility and do it! Also, with a record label you have to do it yourself because you are then independent. I would say I’m just doing what I think is best right now...

Thanks for taking the time to speak to me and good luck with everything!

By Sam Quilter

Dana Ruh's Yardang EP is out soon on Brouqade.

Catch Dana this summer at Zoo Project and Cocoon Amnesia, Ibiza!

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