D-Nox is an internationally renowned performer, respected by DJs, and clubbers alike for his highly creative, and innovative sets. The style of his DJ sets varies through progressive and tech house while incorporating aspects of techno, and trance.
His skill with the turntables, excellent choice of tracks, and unique charisma combine to provide an exceptional experience. Aside from DJing, D-Nox is head of the Sprout and Plastik Park record labels with many of these releases finding their way into the playlists of top-class DJs, such as John Digweed, and Pete Tong, amongst many others. And then of course who can forget his work alongside Frank Beckers, under their D-Nox & Beckers moniker, a name that is synonymous with many of the scene’s classic tracks.
The German will be in Australia in the coming weeks for the Enchanted Gardens party in Melbourne, which follows a highly-talked about set at the past Rainbow Serpent Festival. It’s been a long time coming, but we finally have D-Nox on board for a Balance Selections mix…
Balance Selections Q+A
Name: Christian Wedekind aka D-Nox
Location: Sao Paulo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dnoxofficial
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/d-nox_beckers
Alias/Producer name: D-Nox, D-Nox & Beckers
Labels affiliated with: Sprout Music, Sudbeat, Selador, Bedrock, Outta Limits, Beat Boutique
My last 3 releases:
D-Nox & Beckers feat Budakid – Kalahari [Become One]
D-Nox & Beckers – Polyacid [Beat Boutique]
D-Nox & Uone feat Western – Never [Movement Recordings]
What music did you listen too as a child?
I was born in to a family full of musicians. My father used to have a band in the early 70s, and the music which dominated his life was Beat Music (All the rock classics from the 60s and 70s). I grew up with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones to name the most popular ones and I remember listening to music on every occasion, car rides, holidays, family parties, at home on my fathers record player or when he played the guitar. But the first band that really got me was AC/DC. Thanks to my older cousin who was drawing these 4 letters everywhere he could, and I was fascinated by that and by his poster wall and with all the stories about Angus Young and the way he played his guitar.
When was the first time that you realised that you liked electronic music?
I started to like electronic music when I changed school from 1991 to 1992, a new school mate gave me a tape which he told me I had to listen to. That tape changed my life. I get goosebumps even talking about it here. Moby’s track ‘Go’ blew me away and there were others too like Quadrophonia or Altern 8. I was already a dj playing 80s music in school parties at the age of 13 and 14 but Techno got me very early in 1992. I of course remember electronic music from before that too. I remember listening Lil Louis ‘French Kiss’ or Mars ‘Pump up the Volume’ on the radio, another track I remember from the radio was S-Express, but that wasn’t enough to light my fire. I got hooked when I was was 15 or 16 and I made it into a club in my town where they used to play Techno from 3 to 5 am and with this everything changed. People started to act and dance different. These people were wearing different clothes and seamed to be a happy community other than what I knew from before.
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
That was in 1989 in a club in my hometown where on Saturday afternoons teenagers were able to get in until a certain time and I remember the dj hidden in a corner behind strobe lights playing The Cure or Depeche Mode. That made me become a dj too and with a growing tape collection I got involved organizing school parties with my best mate back than. But we were all into 80s music. A couple of month later my family escaped from east Germany to west Germany and with new class mates and a totally different culture in the west I got into a new world of music and clubbing. I remember my first rave party in 1991 Akira Rave with Cosmic Baby, Hardlfoor and Ramirez. That blew me to the stars and back. But the djs that changed it all where the local djs .
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
DJs I have always looked up to are Laurent Garnier and Sven Väth. These two had something different and special and I always tried to see them play and dance to their sets. To pick a specific producer would too much, since back then we were all so blown away by the amount of vinyl that came out every week. I always liked the sound from Belgium and Frankfurt. It would be easier to speak about labels I guess. Artist like Moby, Hardfloor, CJ Boland, Earth Nation, Luke Slater, Aphex Twin, and if I would dig now the list would go on and on.
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
Ten Walls – Queen, it was a recommendation. Such a good album. Very interesting way of how he has mixed the album. He works a lot with volume and keeps it very organic. Love it!
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
I write music on a mini Mac here at home and use Ableton 10 plus a few plugs in. This set up is to work on ideas and loops. The real producing we do in Beckers studio or elsewhere. I came from sampling and I am very good in arranging and editing but I am terrible with synths. I don’t have a dj set up at home at the moment, but when I dj I use Pioneer Nexus 2 players and a Pioneer mixer. Pretty simple and standard I guess.
What releases do you have on the horizon?
The last month I have been working a lot in the studio. I started to collaborate with other producers such as Kalil, ZAC, Lonya & Zombi and of course always new tracks with Beckers. I try to have an EP out once a month and be more selective with remixes but I think it has been one of my best years release wise and I feel very happy and pleased with what we write.
Where can we hear you perform?
I have a couple of dj gigs in Brasil, Sao Paulo, Campinas and Chapeco before I fly to Argentina for 2 shows and then I’ll be off to Australia and New Caledonia and than back to Brasil. This will all happen in April. I can’t wait to come back down under and also to get to know New Caledonia since I have never been there. I don’t have a club where I play monthly but most clubs I get to play twice a year. And no I don’t have a podcast.
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
That mix happened in a one session here at home on my laptop. I wanted to deliver a proper set that represents the sound I play when I get to play these days, dark and tribalist grooves with lots of psychedelic sounds that should make everyone fly away. I included some amazing remixes by Dousk, Yotto, Sasha and other amazing artist. But I would like to let the set speak for itself. Enjoy this trip and see u in April in Australia!
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is:
IKARUS – Time (Pavel Petrov Remix)
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
D-Nox & Victor Ruiz – Arise
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
Kirsty Hawkshaw – Fine Day (D-Nox & Kalil bootleg)
My favourite Balance compilation is:
Patrice Baumel
The last movie I watched that I really liked: Annihilation, because of the sound track.
My favourite TV show:
NO TV for me
If I could choose anyone to compile a Balance comp it would be:
I would love to take the honour and deliver a wonderful compilation but ego aside I would choose BLANCAh from Brasil or Frankey & Sandrino.
Tracklisting:
01. Nico Schwind – Prima Lux (Hidden Empire Remix)
02. Adana Twins – Ebrietas
03. Claptone – La Esperanza (Patrice Baumel Remix)
04. Dabeat & Kamilo Sacramento – Implant (Kasper Koman Remix)
05. Sasha – Smokemoon (Yotto Remix)
06. D-Nox, Uone & Western – Never (Dousk Remix)
07. Bushwacka – Healer (Sasha Remix)
08. Nico Parisi – Attica – (Gai Barone Blue Notes Remix)
09. John Acquaviva & Manuel De La Mare – Sacrilicious (Olivier Giacomotto Remix)
