DJ Spit is the kind of artist where you’re immediately pulled into their orbit. Known for his fast paced, genre fluid approach, the Berlin-based DJ and producer has been whipping up high-voltage sets between bass, breaks, techno, house, and the obscure outer realms of club music for a good while now. Whether locked into a solo slot or going b2b with the likes of VTSS, DJ Stingray, or Identified Patient, his instinct, speed, and versatility have made him an incredibly in-demand selector.
Born and raised in Germany, Spit’s musical lineage runs back to his father’s record-spinning days of rock, punk, and metal. That early exposure gave way to a metal phase and, by his teens, a full blown obsession with electronic music. From there, a tight-knit connection with local club residents set the stage for what would become a deeply embedded presence in the German scene, working jobs as a photographer, tour manager and curator whilst also trying to find a crowd for his own events and parties. In 2023, he launched Explorers, an event series and radio show aimed at curating unexpected musical connections. Whether it’s booking DJRUM, bbymutha, and Kikelomo on the same Melt Festival stage or throwing intimate, curated nights in Berlin, the ethos has always been about shared curiosity. “It’s about making discovery fun again,” he says. “Putting artists together in ways you wouldn’t expect, but somehow it just clicks.” 2023 also marked another turning point, this time for his own productions, officially stepping into that side of DJing with the release of “PEREN” on Juicy Gang Records and “Heavy Breathing” on Nehza, two wildly different tracks unified by heavy low-end, left-turn rhythms, and a raw, visceral sense of energy. His next release, a collab with DJ Lag for the Overthinker Mob reboot, promises even more unpredictability. “There’s no formula,” he says, “just bass with a twist.”
As someone who has spent over a decade embedded in Berlin’s musical underground, sometimes behind the scenes, often on stage, Spit’s momentum feels deeply earned and his Truancy Volume, a mix he states is one of his best mixes yet, is a beautiful look into what he considers a perfect club set and a reflection of his current sound. Mixed with tracks from the likes of Burna, Brisotti, TSVI, DJ Plead, Alex Coulton, Hedo Hydr8, Yas Revenz and an emotional set ender from Skream, this hour mix perfectly captures his style while allowing space for groove, weight, and melodic introspection.
Hey there Paul, hope you’re good! So how have you been recently? What’s the year been like for you so far? Any particular highlights you care to tell us about? “The year kicked off with the biggest loss I’ve ever faced – heavy stuff that really made me pause and reflect. But the past few months have been all about growth, both personally and creatively. I’ve been leveling up in ways I didn’t see coming, and now I’m stepping into the future with a full heart and a clear mind. January and February have kind of become my quiet season – time to breathe, plan the next moves, and dive deep into the music.”
So going back a bit, could you tell us a little bit about how you first got into electronic music and DJing? Like what were the initial influences, people, music that set you down this passion? “The concept of being a DJ was kind of subtly embedded in me from a really young age. My dad was a massive music enthusiast – he introduced me to everything from Little Richard and Black Sabbath to punk and death metal. And he never held back when it came to telling me about the artists, their stories, and the deeper layers behind the music itself. Back in the wild ‘80s, he used to spin records in his bar and at a local rock spot – all vinyl, of course.
After my metal phase, I quickly dove into electronic music during my early teens. When I was 15, my best friend got himself a pair of Technics – and that was the beginning of our crate-digging era. Getting paid for DJing and making music, that idea was almost light-years away back then.
We both started working at a local club not long after, and I quickly connected with the resident DJs there. They took me under their wing, let me bring my record bag and jump on the decks. That mix of influences – a dad who taught me early what good music is, the access I had through the club, and a mom who took me to events I was technically too young for, introducing me to people I never would’ve met otherwise – that was the foundation for everything that came after.”
Do you recall a particular year where things really started to click for you? What happened in that year? “2018 was definitely that year for me. I had just started playing in clubs the year before, but 2018 was when things really shifted. My first proper gig was with Skee Mask and my close friend Victor – that night kind of lit the spark. I realized that if the music I would love to listen to isn’t getting played in clubs, I’ve got to be the one to play it. That mindset really set everything in motion.”
Can you tell us a bit about starting to throw your events too? You’ve also been involved in the Berlin scene for 10 years right also working as a tour manager and photographer in that period too? Has it ever felt like a struggle in terms of competition throwing parties in a city like Berlin. “Throwing your own events in Berlin is tough – especially when you’re not part of a bigger label or collective. Most of the events we’ve done so far actually happened outside of Berlin. In the city, we’ve focused more on special moments. But recently, I’ve been feeling that itch again. We’re currently working on a new series of parties here in Berlin.
I think you shouldn’t throw events just for the sake of doing one or because you feel like you have to. It should be about creating something that brings real value to everyone involved – artists, crowd, and yourself. Right now feels like the right time, mostly because I’ve got a lot of great people around me who are genuinely excited to build something together.”
Since your emergence, how has your musical style evolved, especially in integrating diverse genres like bass, breaks, techno, and house? “Music is always in constant change, and that’s something I try to embrace, without jumping on every current trend. If you just look at club music, there was a time when classic house, techno, and electro really took most of my attention in the beginning. But even back then, I had an ear for the more abstract stuff, for tracks that made you think outside the box.
However, I quickly hit a point of oversaturation, especially since when I first arrived in Berlin, I didn’t know many people who were into bass music (outside of hip-hop). So, I started diving into it myself and got more into DJs like DJRUM, DJ Marcelle, Ben UFO, and others who, while still rooted in the club scene, approach electronic music more as a whole rather than sticking strictly to specific genres.
This approach, where I can find something in almost every style of club music, has really stuck with me and it gives me so much freedom in what I play.”
What can you tell us about Explorers and the idea about setting it up? And what do you envision for it in the future? You launched it around 2023 correct? What can you also tell us about that Melt collab and the first party at Jaki? “The idea behind Explorers is really about introducing people to musicians they wouldn’t expect to see together in a given context. Every event is designed so that the artists may not have worked together before, but it somehow all makes perfect sense to the audience. The goal is to make discovering new music, music that people might not have had on their radar, fun and engaging.
For example, at the last two Melt Festivals, we hosted stages with artists like bbymutha (live), DJRUM, Jada, LCY, Kikelomo, and more. It was about curating a diverse experience that still made sense together.
We launched Explorers around 2023, and looking ahead, I want to keep pushing the idea of bringing unexpected connections in music to the forefront. As for the Melt collab and the first party at Jaki, it was all about creating a platform where we could merge different styles and sounds – building on the idea of mixing genres and vibes you wouldn’t normally see in one place.”
Through your Explorers show on Refuge and your past radio shows, you’ve featured a host of various artists. What criteria do you use to select guests, and what do you aim to highlight through these shows? “It’s simple – DJs who fit the vibe of Refuge and reflect the flavor of Explorers.”
You’ve been slowly kicking off your production career with ‘PEREN’ on Juicy Gang Records and ‘Heavy Breathing’ on Nehza. Can you tell us a little bit about getting to this stage and how these tracks reflect your musical vision? “It feels like something that’s been lying dormant inside me for a long time and is finally coming to the surface. But I’m still just taking my first steps. Getting asked by Roni and DJ Mell G already feels like a really positive sign for the future. All my tracks and releases won’t follow any particular formula – they’re not made to please anyone or to fit a specific label. That’s why the two tracks I’ve released so far are pretty different from each other, just like everything else coming in the near future. One thing most of my stuff has in common though? A lot of bass with a twist.”
As you move further into production, how do you see your approach to creating music in the studio differing from the way you construct energy in a DJ set? Or are they quite intertwined? “For sure, they’re connected. Both the ear I’ve developed through DJing and the actual energy. Music should always fit the moment, whether I’m DJing or producing. When I play at 6 AM in a warehouse, it’s a different vibe than an open-air at 2 PM. Similarly, I can’t produce a 150 BPM track at 7 AM in the studio – that’s why I tend to start a bit later, haha”
What can you tell us about a forthcoming release with DJ Lag on the Overthinker Mob label reboot? “I’m super hyped about the first track we’re dropping. We only had one day to work together, we didn’t know each other beforehand, but from the moment we started, we were in sync. We both brought our own flavor to the table and it just clicked. The tracks had been sitting around for a while, and then Bloomfeld reached out and asked about them. Since I trust him and his curation a lot, it was a no-brainer.”
You’ve been quite well versed in B2B sets over the years, be it from VTSS, Toma Kami, Kikelomo, CEM, Roni, CcC, DJ Stingray, LCY, Identified Patient, and Mama Snake. Do you have tips on mastering being able to b2b with so many people? “I love playing with people I respect. You always learn something, and when you’re truly fair with each other and put the set above your own ego, you almost always end up with legendary moments. I see myself as very versatile and always want to bring music to the table that my partner would enjoy while still weaving my own style into it. On the flip side, it’s also a highlight for the crowd to see two DJs they wouldn’t expect to play together. It’s not just about the big names either – I also love playing with resident DJs or members of the collective that booked me, if the vibe and the night allow for it.”
Your sets are known for their genre-fluid nature. How do you maintain coherence and energy when blending diverse musical styles? Do you have a particular way you like to approach sets? “I could write a book about this, but in short, it’s always very dependent on the day. I try to find the common thread in each track and use that as the foundation for the next. My sets are never linear – they’re more like a cat-and-mouse game, where the mouse keeps running around corners, and the cat’s always close but it takes a little time before it catches up.”
Can you tell us about three albums that a) define you getting into electronic music in general, b) maybe a midway album when you were fully invested in DJing and and c) a more recent one.
Paul Kalkbrenner – Self, released in 2004 on BPtich
Sterac – Secret Life Of Machines, released 1996 on 100% Pure
Kelela – Raven, released 2023 on Warp
What sort of other hobbies or interests do you have outside of electronic music? Are there any books, films, shows or other things you’ve seen or been reading/watching that you might want to share? “I’m pretty invested in sports in general, but particularly football and combat sports. Since music is my biggest hobby, it’s a dream to make a living doing this. I don’t really watch many films or shows – I’m more into documentaries and podcasts. Most of the films I like are pretty weird and abstract. But the other day, I rewatched the Danish film Adams æbler, and I’ve got to say, it’s aged really well.”
Could you describe the process of creating this mix? Was there a specific message or feeling you wanted to convey? “I was really excited to make a mix for you because I really appreciate all the podcasts and their quality, and I connect with the curation. Sometimes, you can do things half-heartedly, but I truly love this mix. In fact, it’s one of my favorite podcasts. I hadn’t recorded a mix in a while, so I wanted to make this one especially good and play it exactly how I would want a perfect club set to sound. Of course, no mix is ever perfect, especially since I always record each mix just once – the mojo of the tracks has to match my energy that day. It was a really good day!
Given the passing of my father and how I’ve been more withdrawn lately, I wanted this mix to reflect where I am musically at the moment and show it to the people online who haven’t heard me play in the club for a while. I also wanted to keep the mix strictly at 135 BPM because that’s where I’m currently finding a sweet spot.”
Last, usual question from us, what was the last thing to put a big smile on your face and when was the last time you had a proper dance? “The last proper dance was a few weeks ago with my homies at Ohm in Berlin while my guy Kessler was playing for Climate of Fear and the last big smile was a minute ago when I read this message.”
DJ Spit: Soundcloud, Resident Advisor, Instagram, Explorers
You can download Truancy Volume 346: DJ Spit in 320 kbps and view the full tracklist on Patreon here. Your support helps cover all our costs and allows Truants to continue running as a non-profit and ad-free platform. Members will receive exclusive access to mixes and tracklists. We urge you to support the future of independent music journalism—a little goes a long way. If you need any IDs though, please leave us a comment on the Soundcloud link and us or DJ Spit will get back to you with the track :)
