Everyone is talking about the new lady of Cocoon….
Welcome to DMCWORLD Dana. An exciting year ahead for you both in the studio and behind the decks. You live in Berlin nowadays and are happily settled in the Cocoon family. Life didn?t begin for you here though, you were born in the eastern German town of Gera and your working life began working in a bank. How old were you when you started to start taking notice of music and who were the early artists you were into?
“I was into music very early…it started when I was 4 years old. My mother had a big music collection and I was listening to her vinyl that included records by The Beatles, Abba and Michael Jackson. From that day on music was just part of my life.”
What was the schoolgirl dream for a career back then for you?
“Hahahaa…I remember it so so well Dan. I always wanted to do something with music. I was singing in the choir at school and all I really wanted to do was become a singer!”
You must have first come across Sven Vath at the Sonem Mond Sterne Festival near your home town. What was your first thoughts on this unique artist and his music?
“He was one of the reasons I went into the scene. I find him very fascinating…his personality, his DJ skills. He was bringing us closer to the electronic music, me and my friends just loved his mixes! We were waiting for shows on the radio when he was spinning and recorded everything on tape. I still have some tapes from those times…”
Tell us about the party scene in Gera back in the day, you raved in some strange venues!
“The scene was really nice. As I started to go out everything was new to me and I loved to go to an old train station where the party was set up. Or at a lake. We had a lot of outdoor parties and some on/off locations. Gera didn’t have a lot of clubs as it’s a small town, but there was always something going on.”
How much of an influence was Mathias Kaden to you back then?
“Mathias was one of my local DJ heroes! I found it so interesting that he was just doing his own thing and DJing in all of these parties. I started to buy records and went deeper into the music and started to think that I could be a DJ also. He inspired me just to try it!”
Talk us through the new track you have made with Andre Galluzzi that is set for the brand new Cocoon compilation?
“The track is something that was recorded live and came out of a jam session. If I do a collaboration I try to get all the ideas from my partner and myself into the project spontaneously! I don’t like to think too much about a track, this track really was just spur of the moment – it’s a proper trip and I am really excited by the reaction from the people.”
And we hear you?ve been locked away in the studio working on a two tracker for Brouqade 12” and a new EP for Spencer Parker’s vinyl only label workThemrecords. What can you tell us about these projects??
”I work a lot on music. If I am not traveling or taking time off, I just love to create. I just let it go. I am not limiting myself with a direction and style. It can be techno or house – it all depends of my feelings. I have a bunch of tracks ready and Spence will decide what he likes to have. For Brouqade the same...”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
1. Alex Celler – Grooveseeker (bomb!!!)
2. Daniela la Luz – People Happy
3. Len Faki – BTX2
4. Mike Huckaby – The Sandcastle (Culture Box Re-edit)
5. Dragosh – Five
6. Baaz – Owls Night
7. Nina Kraviz – Ghetto Kraviz (Steve Rachmad Remix)
8. Spencer Parker – Show Him You’re The One
9. Ian Pooley & Spencer Parker – In My Head
10. Andre Galluzzi & Dana Ruh – Wu Wang
You run your label Brouqade with Ann and Anthea, Ann you know from your TV days whilst Anthea you met in Ibiza in 2010 and quickly became friends. What does Ibiza mean to you? Is it the best party destination on the planet?
“I would say it’s a really nice party destination. I love to be there – but if it’s the best…I don’t know? There are other amazing places but if you wanna have a big choice of parties…you can definitely have it there!”
What are the plans for the label in 2013?
“In 2013 we will work again with artists we already have on the label. For me it’s quite important not just to sign and sign music from different artists. I really wanna develop young, fresh talents that we already have on board.”
How do you think your style has changed studio wise over the past six or seven years?
“I guess I have more experience right now. I am not afraid to try out new things, I am always looking for new ways to get my music from my head into the speakers! I am much better soundwise…my ears listen very carefully now. And I just wanna produce what comes out of me…I don’t force myself into making something for this and that label! ”
What is the greatest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Definitely one from the Stablo Series.”
Did you keep in contact with any of your old bank colleagues, have any of them any idea what you do now?
“Not really. One of my old colleagues is following me on Facebook but that’s about it.”
What are the DJ gigs you are really looking forward to in the coming months?
“I am looking forward to play Barraca (Valencia) again. Of course all my UK gigs…I love to play in the UK, I feel very much at home. There is a label night that we set up at Sonar…looking forward to this and also to a possible gig with Sven.”
It may not be good for my image, but Dana Ruh really loves…
“Sex And The City!!”
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Never give up…be patient work hard!”
Who are some of the great new producers we should be looking out for in 2013?
“Dragosh, Daniela la Luz (not that new to the scene but they have some amazing music ready) and Phrasis Veteris .”
Not many people know this, but Dana Ruh is really good at?
“Making pasta – especially the sauce!!”
What is your idea of a perfect Sunday?
“The perfect Sunday is without internet/phone and with my friends sitting in a nice restaurant and just having nice conversations!”
It’s your birthday party. Who are the 3 DJs you invite to?
“Cassy, Italo Johnson and Steffi.”
And finally, what has been the best DJ gig over the winter for you?
“It was my first gig that I played officially for Cocoon. I was on the road with Tobi Neumann and we played over in Italy! And also the one I had in Panoramabar – those two!”
Andre Galluzzi & Dana Ruh – Nechtebt Buto/WuWang (ARAS)
https://soundcloud.com/aras-records/s-1
Cocoon In The Spotlight Mix
