Monika Kruse: the main focus is on supersexygrooving

Image: Monika Kruse

The Monika Kruse Djing story started in 1991, back in her native Munich. It was there as a fledgling devotee of acid house, funk and hip-hop where she learned her craft, before absorbing the scintillating mid-nineties techno scene of the city. She then moved back to her place of birth, Berlin, as the city rapidly became the centre-piece for the twenty first century reimagining of electronic music.

Since then she has been a driving force in the scene, her record label Terminal M clocking 100 releases and her commitment to obliterating barriers evident in her No Historical Backspin project, designed to give electronic music artists a platform to talk against racial discrimination.

She’s due to play Solar at Manchester’s Gorilla on Saturday 30th November, so we caught up for a quick chat ahead of the show. 

You’re set to headline at Solar in Manchester at the end of November. Are you looking forward to it and how do you find paying to the British crowd?

I really am looking forward to play for Solar in Manchester! I always have fun playing in the UK, and especially Manchester. With the rave history it is a big spot!

Do you have anything special lined up for the night, or is that something you decide when you’re there?

I am always spontaneous. My sets depend on my mood and, of course, on the crowd. 

Where have you been playing recently? Any highlights?

There were actually too many highlights. Summer was great, lots of festivals, I was playing a lot of times in Ibiza, for Carl Cox at space, Marco Carola at Amnesia, Guy Gerber and John Digweed at Pacha and the lovely Zoo Project. At the Amsterdam Dance Event I had my own label party which was sold out days before. And playing at Berghain / Panorama Bar is always a big one – I am happy that I play there four times a year.

Terminal M is still going strong thirteen years since you founded it. How has the label changed since you started out and what are some upcoming releases we can look forward to? 

Back in the days the music in general was a bit faster, and I was playing a bit harder 13 years ago. Nowadays my DJ style changed a bit, as well as my label did. Terminal M now is much slower and the main focus is on supersexygrooving tracks. Right now the release of the Terminal 100 with Andhim, Yousef (stream 'Fantasy Drum' above), Darlyn Vlys, Paul C & Martini, Pele & Shawnecy is still rocking the dance floors. And the new release of Paul C and Martini is doing great as well. The next release will be Pig & Dan feat. Rachel Lyn.

With such a strong techno and house scene in Germany, why do you think it is that you and your label manage to consistently stand out from the rest?

Well, I am very thankful, that I can do my passion now since 22 years, and that people supporting me all over the time. But there is no formula to be successful, so how would I know?

Can we look forward to more new material from yourself in the coming weeks/months? 

In the wintertime I will hit the studio again more often, so I am sure that there will be a release in the next couple of months.

What else lies in the future for Monika Kruse?

I am looking forward to spin at foreign places like La Reunion, Bali, Singapore, Chile and Brazil. But also for my little time out in January when I will do detoxing and step back from the wildlife. 

Dream situation time... you can go back to any period in clubland history, and play at any club. Who would you have playing alongside you and what tune would you drop that would define the evening?

I would have loved to spin with Laurent Garnier in Manchester in the early nineties and I guess I would play a lot of acid tracks. 

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