Tube & Berger started their musical journey over a decade ago. Since then, the house producers released two acclaimed studio albums, played gigs around the world and have over 60 million YouTube plays to their name.
From early experiments in the world of Punk music, the German duo’s first breakthrough came with their 2004 hit ‘Straight Ahead’, which featured the vocals of The Pretender’s Chrissie Hynde and shot straight to the top of the Billboard Dance Radio Chart. Since this early success, their output has evolved significantly, through incorporating real-life recordings and samples into their music. Their intricate, emotion-laden production style creates records that are organic and evocative, without losing that dancefloor punch essential for the modern-day DJ.
Tube & Berger have undoubtedly shaped the Deep House genre, crafting several scene defining records in the last couple of years. More notably is ‘Imprint of Pleasure’, a heart-wrenchingly poignant dance floor anthem released on Suara Records that was named Beatport’s 9th Top Selling Track of All Time, racked up a hefty 32 million streams on Spotify and has provided the soundtrack for festivals and dance floors for over many years.
Last year, Tube & Berger and Junior Jack’s collaboration track “E Samba 2018” peaked at No.2 on the Beatport main chart and was No.1 in their House Chart for 6 weeks in Summer, gaining huge DJ support from the likes of Pete Tong, Erick Morillo, Fisher, Claptone, Flashmob and Nora En Pure.
Along with friend and fellow DJ Juliet Sikora they run the labels Kittball Records and ZEHN Records. Next to releasing their own tracks, both labels have signed prominent artists like &ME, Andhim, Betoko, Dennis Cruz, Djuma Soundsystem, Ida Engberg, illyus & Barrientos, Purple Disco Machine, Township Rebellion and many more. On Kittball, Tube & Berger released their debut studio album ‘Introlution’ back in 2012. Their second album ‘WE ARE ALL STARS’ was released in May 2017.
In terms of live performances –Tube & Berger never tire. Tube & Berger are proved Ibiza heavyweights with frequent shows at ANTS in Ushuaia and Booom! Ibiza. Festival-wise they had sets at Tomorrowland, Loveweek Festival, Eastport Festival, Claptone’s Masquerade and played dates at ADE including ‘All Gone Pete Tong’ and multiple Toolroom Showcases.
Read the full interview the duo gave us while listening to their most recent podcast.
WWD: How are you guys doing? How has your year been so far?
Wicked! Met a lot of cool peeps, had some decent tours and we’ve been very productive in the studio. Definitely a good year so far.
WWD: When did you guys first meet, what made you start working together?
We actually met on our rides home from school on the bus. Didn’t quite like each other at first, but after while we even jammed in a band together. From there on we went to some raves once in a while and fell in love with electronic music. That’s pretty much how it started.
WWD: How has the relationship been over the years, always good? Any arguments?
Our therapist says we will eventually be talking to each other again… No, seriously in every band there’s egos clashing but we’re used to it nowadays.
WWD: Who does what – do you each bring different skills to the table in the studio?
Hard to explain! We both have a similar way of producing. Usually it comes down to this: One of us pops up with an idea. The other one doesn’t quite like something yet. Idea gets tweaked until both are happy or we start over again.
WWD: I understand you first started in punk music – how did that come about? Does that sound still inspire your music today?
Yeah, we both played in a band and had some wild times as little punk rockers, but it’s more of an indirect influence by now. Of course, it never quite leaves us entirely and some say we still have a weird punk attitude…
WWD: Tell us about how it felt being number one in the Beatport chart with your Samim remix.
Blessed! The best part though is performing the tune and seeing the happy faces of ravers in the crowds. What’s also wicked is when colleagues like Camelphat, Claptone, Dennis Cruz etc. pick it up for a spin.
WWD: How did you approach the remix?
We got asked by Get Physical to remix Heater by Samim. Were not sure at first but the studio session became pretty mad pretty quick. The rest is history.
WWD: What are the best and worst bits of running your own labels? Do you both do equal work on the labels?
Spotting and supporting upcoming talent has to be the best part! The worst is missing out on a great demo, while being on tour. Our fellow label boss Juliet Sikora is working wonders on the event side of things and we’re handling the strategy side of things and future direction together. The labels are a heartfelt project to us and we love to have established a family like business culture.
WWD: What else have you got coming up/are you working on?
Next to a ton of own tracks we have in the pipeline, we’re also releasing the third edition of our charity compilation of “It Began In Africa”. A selection of A-list DJs already contributed a track and we’re sure this ablum will spice up you winter. All profits made from this album will be donated to the “African Children’s Choir”, and their further projects. They invest the money for example in building schemes, founding nurseries and schools to help children get away from a life on the streets.