Binh is a firm favourite of ours here at MEOKO for his stripped back, super deep interpretation of forward thinking, Berlin style house and techno. Hailing from Düsseldorf but now living in Berlin, his sets at Heimatmelodie, Neuss’ Tribehouse, Panorama and of course the iconic Club der Visionaere have seen him build up a reputation as a true connoisseur in the scene, and his own bi-monthly night ‘Noon’ never fails to educate and astound. 2013 has seen the passionate DJ turn his hand to producing, resulting in a stellar release on the Parisian imprint ‘Concrete Music’. In anticipation for his forthcoming set this Friday, we were honoured to get the chance to speak with him about his history, his night, and his opinion on the London scene… as well as providing a taster of what’s to come in the way of his brilliant contribution to our podcast series, which you can check out here:
Hi Binh, thanks for taking the time to speak with us. You’re coming to London later this month to play at The Meoko Project. Have you played much in London before? How does it compare to playing in Berlin?
Hello Meoko! I’m very looking forward to coming back to London and playing at the party on Friday night. I come to London around 3-4 times a year. This year I played twice at the Undersound parties, and I will be back with some friends to play for this crew a few times in the next year. The London scene is quit similar to ours... I really enjoyed every time I came there, the vibe and people are always great and up to listen to good music... just the playtimes are a bit shorter than Berlin, but its not easy with all the rules and policies in London...
Over years of residencies - first in Dusseldorf and now in Berlin - you have established a name for yourself with an incredibly refined selection of deep house and techno. What were your initial influences when you first started?
It’s difficult to say when I first started. I have always been fascinated by electronic music and I was going to clubs in Dusseldorf... one day I started to buy records and to hang out in record shop... and this is how I got addicted to vinyl records and eventually started to spin them.
How has your sound developed since back when you began DJing?
To be honest not very much… it’s always been somewhere between house, deep house and deep techno. Year after year I’ve dug deeper in these genres
In Berlin you’re widely recognized for being a true purveyor of the modern underground sound the city is known and loved for. What made you decide to move there?
I decided to move in Berlin because of some friends who stayed there... and also Tobi (Neumann) offered me an internship in his studio... I took the chance straight away and left Dusseldorf... and I never went back.
Since 2009, you have been running your ‘Noon’ series at Club der Visionaere. The venue has a completely different atmosphere to any other I have visited. Could you tell us a little about the party and the club for those that don’t know?
I’ve started the party with Margaret Dygas. At the beginning we had every second Wednesday and Sunday. After a while it was only every second Sunday.
Nicolas Lutz and I played very long sets there, sometimes without any guest DJ. If there was a guest it was always a friend who shared the decks with us… and it was just strictly vinyl. Is hard for me to describe the party or the club because the only way to find out is to go there and see the vibe and the atmosphere. There are some emotions and feelings that you cannot explain with words... and this is one of those.
This year saw your first release on Concrete Music, which had a great reception! What was it that made you decide to release your own productions? Are there any more in the pipeline?
I never decided that I wanted to release something. I just make music in my studio at home and sometimes someone like it when they listen... I don't know yet when I will have my next release.
We understand you honed in on your production in the sound studio of Tobi Neumann. Did his influence play a part in shaping the sound of your tracks?
Not really. I learned a lot from him but we have our own ideas and different styles. We both do our own thing.
Where would you like to see your musical career go in the future? With such a particular sound, have you considered starting your own label?
I’m not making plans on my career... I enjoy playing music and we will see where this will take me... maybe I’m gonna start cooking again :) And yes, my own label is a plan for the future.
What is the most memorable party you have ever been to?
Hm. don't know where to start! There are so many as I said, I started as a clubber and I’m still one.
Thanks Binh, we look forward to meeting you in London and can’t wait for your set!
If you haven't already, you can still grab tickets to The Meoko Project through Resident Advisor HERE. See you on the dance floor ;)
