CRYME, the Berlin-based DJ, producer, and co-founder of SEVEN, is a force reshaping the house and techno scene with his infectious energy and boundary-pushing sound. Known for his fast-paced sets and described by peers as “a master of rhythm,” CRYME has quickly made his mark with six EPs, global tours, and residencies at iconic collectives like Pornceptual. His label, SEVEN, champions Queer and FLINTA* artists while delivering uplifting, progressive house and techno that radiates love and inclusivity. With his latest EP Reality Rush making waves, we caught up with CRYME to talk inspiration, artistry, and the vibrant future he’s building for the dancefloor.
Listen to Reality Rush and read the interview with CRYME below.
Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
It was nearly very, very different. I was playing football from the age of five and did this for fifteen years and at the time I thought that might be my career. But then I found clubs and nightlife! I had a spell as a mechanic which I hated and was totally unsuited for lol – very early mornings and definitely didn’t suit my creative side. But then the Corona-years hit us and I started DJingin my bedroom doing little live streams with just five friends watching and I knew I had found my vocation.
Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
Mostly I have an idea of something that I want to create – a vibe or a genre that is playing in my head. I normally start with the bassline and the drums and then look for vocals and then it gets a life of its own. Sometimes the finished product is nothing like the idea that I had. But it’s such an exciting process and I love it and that’s the art.
Does your material feature any collaborations?
Yes, lots. My current release has a remix by Christoph Faust who has become a good friend this year and I love working with him. Then in May at SEVEN we are releasing a collab EP – CRYME x Ben Reymann which I am really excited about. Ben came to stay with me for a week and we made the whole EP in one week in the studio, it was so much fun.
The musical vision for SEVEN is all about the intersection of House and Techno so collaborating with artists who are known for a different genre is really key. Last year I did a spontaneous B2B just at home with my friend Slin. the techno artist and it was soooo good. Even though we have different styles and music it just really worked. So it will get its first public show at the SEVEN party at Else, Berlin at the end of May..
What’s on your current playlist?
My Club playlist is full of old and new school from deep house to deep techno and with a sprinkling of unreleased music from SEVN. Some tracks I played at my last gig include Malin Genie’s “Redskap”, Fred Nasen’s “Landcrusing” and “Fearless” by Retromigration.
Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
Chemistry is so important at a gig and I always try to get into the vibe and connect properly. This starts with knowing what the event is about and who the crowd are and connecting with the other artists before I perform, especially the artists before or after me. Then I always like to get to the gig a little bit before I start so I can soak up the vibe and see what people are enjoying. It’s in those moments and also after that I really decide what I’m going to play. I always go to a gig with a set of tracks made in advance but always make changes and sometimes throw it out completely when I meet the crowd.
What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?
I am in the studio every day producing and playing around with ideas, listening to new and old music and working with friends and colleagues. Having lots of friends in the scene who also produce really helps. Sometimes this results in an official collaboration like my EP coming later this year with Ben Reymann where we developed a really great sound. Sometimes its less official and is just a friend offering advice or a new look at something I’m producing.
Reality Rush feels like a journey through time – classic house roots meeting futuristic vibes. If the EP were a night out, which moments in the tracks would mark the peak of the party, and which would be the contemplative walk home?
Peak of the Party would be the Christoph Faust mix of Reality Rush, he did such a great job with this mix, I love the extra vocal he added and he slowed it down to 126bpm which really added something special. Then I think Mesmer’s remix of the same track would be the walk home.
Take us through a day in the recording studio.
I like to get in around 11 with a coffee and get my headphones straight on. I don’t often get a long creative block, I mean sometimes I get stuck for a few hours but that’s all. I often have our dog Wesley on my knee sitting at my desk, he likes to be right in the middle of things. Lunch or dinner will be at my desk and I will work quite late. When you feel the vibe of a new track coming together I whip off the headphones and have a good listen on the studio speakers and try and get a feel for how it will sound in a club. If I’m lucky my boyfriend and manager, Glenn, will bring me dinner at the desk and I will carry on producing into the late evening.
Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?
Yes. I remember it well. When I saw Honey Dijon play her Boiler Room x Sugar Mountain set in 2018 I though – I want to do this, this could be me.
Any emerging artists on your radar?
Building our label SEVEN is great for this and has connected me with so many wonderful new emerging artists through releasing and also the mix series. We have an EP coming out in March by Posture x Sparkly Pony – they are not well known artists yet, definitely emerging but OMG it’s a fantastic EP and has some of my absolute favourite tracks that we will release this year. That release has remixes by 131bpm and eoin DJ who are also fantastic emerging artists.
SEVEN is carving a niche as a haven for queer and FLINTA voices in house and techno. If your label were to throw a SEVEN family reunion party, what would the night’s vibe look like – who’s on the decks, what’s the first track, and what’s the energy on the dancefloor?
I would love to have a b2b on the decks with a House DJ and a techno DJ working together to make some intersectional magic. The first track I hope would be something from SEVEN of course, maybe we kick off with Stretch & Repeat by Sparkly Pony. The Dancefloor vibe is easy – it’s all smiles and happy faces. That’s where our label strapline comes from “Smile When You Dance”
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Listening to music from other artists, going to record stores and digging with friends. It’s really inspirational listening to other people’s work. Oh and going to parties obviously.
Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.
I’m pretty straightforward when it comes to tech – Ableton on my Mac, a nice pair of Sennheisser headphones and a pair of HEDD Audio studio monitors – made in Berlin and I love the sound. Apart from that just a midi keyboard and an Oktatrack which I don’t use a lot but I really want to get more into this year.
Any side projects you’re working on?
Yes, I am also part of the Hinterhaus team which is a new online magazine sharing the stories behind the being who marke underground nightlife happen We’ve been working on it for nearly a year and our first article just came out – an interview with artist ABS8LUTE and I love having this alternative project, it’s really fun and a great way to meet new people.
How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?
Well I started as a DJ mixing and performing and building my skills there and then two years ago I started producing so that is the biggest change. It’s great as a producer and DJ when you get to play some of your own work in a club and see how people react – nothing is better than seeing the faces of people light up and their bodies move when a track you made yourself is on. And now as label owner and talent scout, it’s amazing seeing people react in clubs to music that I have commissioned from artists that I found.
Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
Such an exciting year ahead. I have my 3rd Asia tour coming up, this time with Pornceptual where I became a resident last year and that will be fun. I’m playing Wire Festival for the first time in NYC and I have a fun B2B with Pablo Bozzi coming up at Feel Festival in July.
Our label SEVEN is very active – our first big party in Berlin at ELSE is coming in May where we have an incredible line up of House and Techno artists and I will be playing outdoors b2b with my friend Slin.
SEVEN is releasing all year – 10 EP’S and 3 VA’s. oh and in late spring we will open our new office, record store and community space at 220 Torstrasse in Berlin so that will be fun. Oh and I’m at Whole Festival for the first time with my family from De Reünie where I am also a resident – I can’t wait for that too!
Famous last words?
“Smile When you Dance” obviously 🙂
Listen to ‘Reality Rush’
Follow CRYME:
Spotify – Soundcloud – Bandcamp – Instagram
Follow SEVEN:
Website – Soundcloud – Bandcamp – Instagram
