01Profile
A Héctor Oaks Photo
Héctor Oaks
DJ — Berlin
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Héctor Oaks, I’m from Madrid but I live in Berlin.
What do you do?
Before Corona times, I was mainly dedicated to playing records through big sound systems in the clubs where I’m resident; Bassiani (Tbilisi), Herrensauna (Berlin) and around this planet. For disrupted kids in altered states of mind who wanna feel free (I’m also one of them I guess). Other than that, I make music and run two vinyl labels.
Describe your style in three words?
Neanderthal2-steppertekknopunk.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Wu-Tang Clan and Public Enemy in Berlin last year, not only for the show but the people around me were also special making this day perfect.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Luckily I’ve accomplished one of them with my Herrensauna boys (MCMLXXXV, Cem and SPFDJ) I featured some tracks from that mighty Boiler Room we made in the playlist. The others would be Scooter and Underworld, we don’t need reasons for that.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Because of my Spanish nationality, I’m heavily influenced by “La Ruta Del Bacalao” a Spanish scene which took part in the East coast of Spain during the ’80s and ’90s. A root of clubs that kept ravers dancing from one club to the other all weekend long nonstop. New Romantics, Wave, prototekkno, trance and body music mixed in a unique way by extraordinary disc-jockeys. I was never there of course but I guess I’m part of its legacy.
Of course, nowadays the Berlin club scene is where I belong to and we have a sort of influence on each other.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would gather some locals and pioneers from different scenes or subcultures and would go with them to their mighty venues already closed. See how that happened.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Herrensauna and Bassiani are two very special places in my life. They represent some values that I truly stand for, the community who frequents them is unique and they helped me to grow a lot as a human being and in finding myself. The parties are SICK btw.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
So many on this list, I’m very into digging this type, although they are all slowly getting some kind of recognition from a non-underground point of view I’d say, Thomas P. Heckmann.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'In The Dark We Live (Dave Clarke 312 Mix)' by Aphrohead. One of the first records I got, classic techno music for foggy basements edited by one of the greatest remixers of the genre, Dave Clarke.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Another Brick In The Wall' by Pink Floyd. I’ve always been a rebel.
One record you would keep forever?
'Lose Yourself' by Eminem.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“There will come a time to your life,
When you ask yourself a series of questions,
Am I happy with who I am,
Am I happy with the people around,
Am I happy with what I am doing,
Am I happy with the way my life is going,
Do I have a life,
Or am I just living,
Find your strength from the sound and MAKE UR TRANSITION.”
From 'Transition' by Underground Resistance.
A song you wished you had written?
'Purification' by Regis. 1999. This song represents the real techno music for me.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Let Your Body Learn' by Nitzer Ebb. Making people sweat since it came out in 1987 with the same intensity, will always sound fresh.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'All Night Passion' by Alisha. Found this one because of the legend from Rotterdam David Vunk (one of those tru disc-jockeys that you should check out if you didn’t yet). Is quite cheesy but touches me somehow. Freestyle music definition.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Beatbox Rocker' by Westbam. This should be included in any German Folk music compilation, Berlin soul, he he.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'The End' by The Doors. That was easy, Hard to find a better soundtrack.
Any new music you are into at the moment?
Not all of them are new but here some people who weren’t mentioned before and truly inspire me: VTSS, Clara Cuve, Peder Mannerfelt, Schacke, Dj Stingray, Helena Hauff the list goes on and on.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Héctor Oaks, I’m from Madrid but I live in Berlin.
What do you do?
Before Corona times, I was mainly dedicated to playing records through big sound systems in the clubs where I’m resident; Bassiani (Tbilisi), Herrensauna (Berlin) and around this planet. For disrupted kids in altered states of mind who wanna feel free (I’m also one of them I guess). Other than that, I make music and run two vinyl labels.
Describe your style in three words?
Neanderthal2-steppertekknopunk.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Wu-Tang Clan and Public Enemy in Berlin last year, not only for the show but the people around me were also special making this day perfect.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Luckily I’ve accomplished one of them with my Herrensauna boys (MCMLXXXV, Cem and SPFDJ) I featured some tracks from that mighty Boiler Room we made in the playlist. The others would be Scooter and Underworld, we don’t need reasons for that.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Because of my Spanish nationality, I’m heavily influenced by “La Ruta Del Bacalao” a Spanish scene which took part in the East coast of Spain during the ’80s and ’90s. A root of clubs that kept ravers dancing from one club to the other all weekend long nonstop. New Romantics, Wave, prototekkno, trance and body music mixed in a unique way by extraordinary disc-jockeys. I was never there of course but I guess I’m part of its legacy.
Of course, nowadays the Berlin club scene is where I belong to and we have a sort of influence on each other.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would gather some locals and pioneers from different scenes or subcultures and would go with them to their mighty venues already closed. See how that happened.
Of all the independent venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Herrensauna and Bassiani are two very special places in my life. They represent some values that I truly stand for, the community who frequents them is unique and they helped me to grow a lot as a human being and in finding myself. The parties are SICK btw.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
So many on this list, I’m very into digging this type, although they are all slowly getting some kind of recognition from a non-underground point of view I’d say, Thomas P. Heckmann.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'In The Dark We Live (Dave Clarke 312 Mix)' by Aphrohead. One of the first records I got, classic techno music for foggy basements edited by one of the greatest remixers of the genre, Dave Clarke.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Another Brick In The Wall' by Pink Floyd. I’ve always been a rebel.
One record you would keep forever?
'Lose Yourself' by Eminem.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
“There will come a time to your life,
When you ask yourself a series of questions,
Am I happy with who I am,
Am I happy with the people around,
Am I happy with what I am doing,
Am I happy with the way my life is going,
Do I have a life,
Or am I just living,
Find your strength from the sound and MAKE UR TRANSITION.”
From 'Transition' by Underground Resistance.
A song you wished you had written?
'Purification' by Regis. 1999. This song represents the real techno music for me.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Let Your Body Learn' by Nitzer Ebb. Making people sweat since it came out in 1987 with the same intensity, will always sound fresh.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'All Night Passion' by Alisha. Found this one because of the legend from Rotterdam David Vunk (one of those tru disc-jockeys that you should check out if you didn’t yet). Is quite cheesy but touches me somehow. Freestyle music definition.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
'Beatbox Rocker' by Westbam. This should be included in any German Folk music compilation, Berlin soul, he he.
Best song to end an all-nighter?
'The End' by The Doors. That was easy, Hard to find a better soundtrack.
Any new music you are into at the moment?
Not all of them are new but here some people who weren’t mentioned before and truly inspire me: VTSS, Clara Cuve, Peder Mannerfelt, Schacke, Dj Stingray, Helena Hauff the list goes on and on.