RUNE RK

“Definitely. Back then (and still am), I was crazy about Chicago house/ Detroit techno and for some reason drum n’ bass. I guess I was always a big fan of energetic music. I always love to dance.”

When you were at school, did you always want to be a musician or was there another career you once had your eye on?

“I couldn’t figure out anything when I was a teenager. I was drawn to music, but at the same time my parents wanted me to pursue an academic career. It was actually my brother who convinced me to focus on my music. He said I should be doing what I couldn’t stop doing anyway. Being a teenager, that left me with two options, and I went with music.”

 What did your parents think about your eventual choice of career?

“They think it’s great. They know how hard it is to survive as an artist and after 15 years, I guess they have no choice but to accept it. My mom actually told me that she was proud that I had the guts to see this through. Not knowing when my next pay check would come and such.”

What was your first break in the electronic world?

“My first real break must have been in 1999. The Brother Brown guys released my single ‘People Don’t Know’ under my Artificial Funk name on their label. It sold over 3000 copies, and it was the first time I actually got paid from my music. At the time, I had been living off pasta and ketchup for months, so I went out and bought myself a huge steak. I can still taste that meat.”

What was the Copenhagen club scene like when you first were going out, it’s now one of the coolest city’s in the world?

“It was crazy back then. Denmark is a rock country and I had to fight to play my records. Nobody gave a fuck about house and techno. I actually remember some biker dykes throwing bottles at me at the first gig I played in 1993. In retrospect, I guess I was playing some filthy jackin Chicago stuff, so I guess some of the lyrics pissed them off, ha ha. It was like the Wild West back then. These days we have a fantastic scene. So many great artists and so many cool clubs. I love my city. I feel as if i helped develop the scene as it is. Hopefully all the fighting back then inspired some people.”

Your latest release is the Rune RK & Majid ‘Animal’ track released on Toolroom is out now on Beatport, coming next however is ‘Memorize Me’ that you did with Databoy – which we describe as an instant vocal and Tiesto has been smashing it out already – what can we expect from this tune?

“Databoy are two young songwriters from New York. I think they have a great future. Their lyrics and melodies are always amazing. ‘Memorize Me’ will be released on ArtiFarti records in October. We’ve just shot a really crazy video for it. It features the two cutest kids partying in Copenhagen. I guess I always will prefer the do it yourself way.”

You’ve just been over to London working with Steve Aoki and Deborah Cox who sang on the Swedish House Mafia’s ‘Leave The World Behind’ – what’s the story there?

“Steve is just the nicest guy. We met in London and we were banging out this track in no time. We had a full SSL booth to work with and the result is pure madness. I’ve never heard a low end that kicking. Hardware does really make the difference. Working with both Deborah and Steve on this just makes me want to give it an extra push from my end. This record is going to be fantastic.”

Here at DMC we were all over your collab. with Kelly Rowland for ‘FreeFall’ hitting the top of The Miami Buzz Chart – how did that all come about and what was she like to work with? 

“I met her a couple of years ago. We were performing at the same event. She is basically just the sweetest person and was a fan of ‘Calabria’. ‘FreeFall’ is probably one of the best songs I’ve heard in years. Working with her vocal is just every producers dream. I can not tell you how many emails I’m getting on that track. Sometimes you just hit something that feels right.”  

How important has your half brother Johannes Torpe been in your career so far, lots or work together and over five million copies sold of ‘Calabria’ to date. Or have I just answered my own question!?!

“My Brother is extremely important to me. We run our design/music company together and I run everything by him. He has a talent for pinpointing things that I would never have thought of. Obviously he is a fantastic designer, but he has great ears. Check out our design company at (www.Johannestorpe.com).”

Do you take any notice of the press, is it important to you as an artist. For instance, The New York Times described ‘Calabria’ as “the seemingly indestructable record” whilst some magazines must give you the odd bad review…? Do you read your own press?

“I do read most of my press, but I try not to take the bad reviews in. I always remind myself that I never see the press at the clubs, so basically most journalists don’t have a clue of what to write. It’s like reviewing an opera from a cassette tape. Doesn’t really work.”

Great answer. How would you describe your style at the moment?

“I’m very much into vocals these days. I’m drawing on inspiration from all genres. Love the old skool vibe that’s coming back and the way productions sound these days. It’s such an exiting time to be a DJ.”

You record under different monikers and in different musical field, Kolsch for instance for German tech label Kompakt Records. Do you have a particular musical taste you prefer?

“I just love electronic music. I can’t stop making music. I have a broad taste, and therefore I can’t release it all under my Rune RK name. It would be very confusing i guess.”

What are the big ten tunes you are spinning right now?

“I almost only play my own edits and bootlegs of other records, but there is so much good stuff out there.”

 Rune RK & Kelly Rowland – FreeFall (Dimmer Edit), which is still killing it everywhere

Candi Staton – You Got The Love – (Rune RK bootleg), mixed with an acid record and again, works everywhere

Tripmastaz – Guess Who, I love the Motown sample

Sovnger – Ultimatum vs Marvin Gaye – Got To Give It Up (Rune RK booty), it shouldn’t work, but it really does)

Cassius – Love You So – (Rune RK booty), the original is still amazing even though Kanye and Jay-Z sampled it!

Kölsch- Opa, new single on Kompakt

Sasha – Cut Me Down – (Layo and Bushwacka Remix), deep vocal track but it still keeps the energy up

Frankie Valli – Begging (Rune RK bootleg), again the whole Motown vibe is working wonders for me

Rune RK and Databoy – Memorize Me, it’s still growing

DJ Pierre & Green Velvet – Acid Tracks 2011 (Angel Alanis Remix), this is so badass. I love the original, love the remix

What is the best and worst thing about living in Copenhagen? And where is your favourite place to hang out?

“I guess the worst thing would be the weather. It feels like we have 8 months of winter. Best place to hang out would be the Copenhagen Cable Park. I wakeboard a lot, and I love it there.”

It’s your birthday – what 3 DJs do you book to play?

“Derrick May, David Mancuso and Mad Mike Banks.”

What has been your summer anthem this year?

“Gus Gus – Within You. I can’t stop listening to that track.” 

What is your guilty pleasure tune?

“Level 42 – Running In The Family.”

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

“I would have to say I need to work out more. I’m starting to feel 15 years of dancing behind the booth.”

You have won numerous awards over the years, is winning these awards such as the BMI important to you? And if so, where is the strangest place you keep one of the awards?

“I had my Grammy in my bathroom for years. Now they just seem to stand around. Awards aren’t so important for me. I make music, I don’t care about statues.” 

So we fall back to your house after the club, what are the big Back To Mine tunes you spin us to chill us out?

U.R. – Journey Of The Dragons

Maurizio – M-4.5

Steely Dan- Babylon Sister

Little Dragon – Twice

Laurent Garnier – Acid Eiffel. 

Best club you have played at in 2011?

“Played a bunch of fantastic festivals over the summer, but the best must have been with Tiesto in Turkey. He is the funniest cat.”

What do you collect?

“Sneakers, watches and kimonos. We all have our vices I guess.”

And what has been the best club you have played at ever?

“Sensation was amazing – 30.000 people can’t be wrong, but I guess Berghain was the craziest. A mix of both perhaps?”

Do you prefer DJing or making the music?

“I love both. I’m a nerd but nothing is more fulfilling than making people smile. I really love DJing.” 

What has been your proudest moment in your career to date?

“So far, it must be ‘Calabria’. I could never have dreamt of the impact of that record. It took 45 minitues to make and it still lives. Crazy.”

What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you?

“Never stop making music. When you grow old, you are not going to remember all the bills, you are going to remember the music you made.”

What has 2012 got in store the Rune RK studio?

“At the moment I’m finishing up a new song I’ve done with Cassandra Fox. Such an honour to work with one of the defining voices of electronic music. I also have a new song on Ultra with Nicki Minaj coming out. A new Databoy is in progress, and I’m working on a single with Alexandra Burke as well. Lot’s of new stuff to come. I’m all fired up this year…”