A conversation with Someone From Berlin
Who is Someone From Berlin? You may recognize the name as the UltraMaroon resident or from the Pines Party lineup in recent years, but start connecting the dots and you will discover the brilliant, strange mind working over the past ten years to bring you Spray Fire Island, ShareGurl, possible Meat Rack throwdowns, Pines Party pool party production madness, and other wacky moments between NYC and the Pines. Together with Scott Martin, he formed the DJ duo Rebecca and created UltraMaroon in 2018 at The Lately (may she R.I.P.) in Meatpacking. As both a DJ and event producer, Someone From Berlin has used his talents to create spaces where the sounds and artists he wants to foster for queer nightlife are celebrated.
This Friday night, March 10, you have the opportunity to hear Someone From Berlin play a full 6-hr set for The Eagle NYC. Taking off his event producer hat for the night, he will be able to shift his focus 100% to the decks, taking us through the full SFB experience. I caught up with our fearless leader as he prepares for his Eagle NYC debut.
DXD: How would you best describe your sound and how it may have changed from when you started?
SFB: I’ve been thinking a lot about the right way to describe how I construct my sets and how I select. What’s very important to me is that I pick people up and carry them along with me through cycles of tension and release. Percussive and vocal layering is pretty core to how I move through music as well. Taken together, the word that resonates most to me is “momentum.” If I do my job right, the kinetic energy of how I stack things will carry the night. That was a bit of a technical answer to your question though: my sound is grounded in house music, and I play across the genre.
When I started spinning, busting my chops at daytime Fire Island ShareGurl pool parties, I was comfortably living in between classic/jackin’/tech house when those genres still felt underground. Underground sound for me has transitioned a bit. I’m much more intrigued by deep vocal progressive house and melodic techno, and find that tracks in those subgenres comprise the peaks of my set. With that said, head to my SoundCloud and you’ll notice that I don’t bash people on the head with intensity – it’s all about easing into it and using the momentum to carry a crowd along to a place where they’re ready to try something new.
DXD: Your DJ alias is Someone From Berlin…where did it come from and what does it mean for you?
SFB: I’m simultaneously an intensely silly and intensely serious person, and I don’t need to be the center of attention. Someone From Berlin is a pseudonym that felt right along many of those lines. I’m not from Berlin by the way. I’m born and raised New York City.
DXD: As someone that books talent, what advice do you have to up-and-coming DJs looking to book gigs?
SFB: As you may have noticed, I’m very quick to give UltraMaroon regulars that want to try their hand at running a booth with a live crowd their first or early gigs. That early set is an opportunity for someone up and coming to practice technical skills, experiment with selection, and gain confidence. If you want to get a gig with me, show up to the event, be present, come say hello, tell me you’re spinning, ask for advice, ask for a gig: basically take the risk of connecting and putting yourself out there. Nothing makes me happier than to see someone go from having an “early gig” at UltraMaroon to becoming a regular at the Eagle in a year, because it means the sprouts that we helped water at UltraMaroon are collectively contributing toward our queer nightlife culture.
DXD: What might guests expect to be different at your Eagle NYC debut from your UltraMaroon sets?
SFB: You’re probably used to seeing me when I’m both constrained to playing two hours, and doing work to move from or between two other DJs. I’ve opened, I’ve played the middle set, and I’ve closed; but it’s been a long time since I have had the opportunity to do all three. What I am most excited about is being able to play the full cycle of the evening.
DXD: As the Eagle has expanded their incredible new dance floor space, they have had the opportunity to bring in more DJs and sounds. What in their recent new programming have you most enjoyed?
SFB: I’ve always loved the programming at the Eagle, but something happened when they added the dance floor space that really amplified the venue for me. Derek and the team have done a great job of bringing in big, queer talent who play real house music, and I’m really honored to have the opportunity to jump in the line. Special shoutout to James Anthony, who is (A) a marvelous human being that’s super passionate about what he does and (B) killing it with his monthly show there.
DXD: What other queer spaces in New York City do you find inspiration musically? Or do you feel that you have to go beyond queer spaces to do so?
SFB: I actually think it’s a bit of the reverse; I get my musical inspiration from the world at large. My job is to create spaces via productions a la UltraMaroon, IndepenDance, Pines Party, and Spray Fire Island, and then read what I see as interesting back to my community. I don’t like to think of myself as a tastemaker (saying that even feels pretentious) but I very much have a perspective on music and culture; I enjoy convening community and sharing what I think via selection of music and/or talent.
DXD: You have done some amazing work in the Pines through the years. Can we expect some more SFB beats and things this summer?
SFB: Yes you can! We’re bringing back IndepenDance on July 2nd, and I am once again at the helm of the Saturday afternoon pool party during Pines Party weekend. We’ve got some really great talent lined up to play for everyone, and I, of course, will be behind the decks!
DXD: Has Someone From Berlin dipped into music production yet?
SFB: You’ve heard my productions, but you probably don’t know it ;). The short answer is yes, the long answer is not since the pandemic. It’s a medium term goal of mine to get back into production.
DXD: What is a dream gig you would love anywhere in the world?
SFB: In THEORY I’d love to headline at Pines Party. That event means so much to me as a Pines homeowner and longtime community member, but to be honest I don't really think that will ever happen. There is so much good talent out there for that slot, so I think my value-add to Pines Party is actually higher on the production side. Away from that… I dunno! To be honest, until recently I haven’t put myself out there to play other people’s events, and very much prefer to perform in my own spaces. I think I’m still figuring this one out!
DXD: It’s Saturday night, and you’re not working. Where are you at to have a good time?
SFB: If I am seeking music (and I haven’t done this in a while,) please throw me at a warehouse party with simple production and excellent sound. If asked to pick a purpose-built venue I would say Good Room for the “locals first” vibe. With those things said, if you tell me Black Coffee is playing Mirage, I will buy my tickets at early, early pre-sale. Either way, I prefer to incorporate time with my chosen family when our schedules allow it. Life is about variety, no?
DXD: What are you most looking forward to for your first time playing at the Eagle NYC?
SFB: There’s a modicum of stress that comes with playing a party for which you are also responsible. At UltraMaroon, I will periodically be thrown out of my mode by a guest or venue issue that needs resolving. The two things I am very excited about at the Eagle are, firstly, the time I’ll have to build my set, and secondly, the ability to do that with full confidence that nobody is going to bother me while I play ;) Love you all though.
DXD: Any last words for us all on the dancefloor?
SFB: Put your phone away.
Thank you Someone From Berlin for being a steward of great music and queer events! You can hear him live this Friday, March 10, at The Eagle NYC, 10P-4A. $25 cash cover at the door. Follow him on Instagram and SoundCloud.
Xx,
DavidXDaisy