Saturday Night Session 037: Dash Berlin

Few moments are more sacred than the reprieve Saturday night provides from the daily grind of school and work. Its importance is meant to be emphasized, and thus, a feature dedicated to “doing the night right” was born. Saturday Night Sessions are set around energizing mixes meant to get the party started. New or old, each episode has one cornerstone thing in similarity: they serve as the perfect backdrop for the weekend pregame.

Dash Berlin is many things. It is a musical moniker; it is a story; he is Jeffrey Sutorius. It has been nearly 15 years since Dash Berlin began in the Netherlands. In 2006, the two words comprised the musical moniker of three Dutch men named Eelke Kalberg, Sebastiaan Molijn, and Jeffrey Sutorius. Although it was a three person group, Dash Berlin was seemingly the name and face of one of these men- Jeffrey Sutorius. This was perhaps by design, but each person played their part when it came to the musical output and performance of the group. Kalberg and Molijn focused on music production and Sutorius focused on live performance and marketing as the face of the brand. Together the trio were unstoppable, and they quickly gained popularity within the European and later the North American and global electronic music scene.

It is now 2020 and Dash Berlin is the moniker and face of one remaining member, Sutorius. The Dash Berlin moniker faced years of legal battles that resulted in Sutorius producing and touring under his own name for a period of time. He has returned as Dash Berlin, and fans have rejoiced for what is to come now that the frontman is back in the drivers seat and running the project as a solo artist.

The Berlin moniker has put out a single a year between 2017 and 2019, and Sutorius promises he has a stream of new music that is to come from Berlin for 2020 and beyond. He comments on this saying, “I’m trying to restructure the way to release my music, and this is taking way more time than anticipated. For now people just have to wait. I’ve received many many questions about this and all I can say now is: Be patient and I hope it’s worth the wait!”

Many artists are using the recent uptick in time at home to produce more material than they would be able to do if they were still touring. Sutorius says that not touring has been a big adjustment, but it has come during a fortuitous time for his personal life. He reveals, “Some of the Dashers know that recently I’ve became a dad of a now two month old. In that sense, I’m very happy to be at home where at the same time it’s challenging to be ‘stuck’ in your house 24/7.” He continues, “I can’t wait to start touring again. I’ve had the pleasure to always been in an environment where people are genuine happy and letting go of everyday struggles. Can you imagine the first party after all this?”

While it is hard to imagine a return to normalcy in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Sutorius has crafted an exclusive hour-long mix for his Saturday Night Session that will transport the listener to a carefree time at a club. Sutorius promises that fans will be transported to a ‘Dash Berlin Live DJ Session!’ and that he ‘hope to see you guys on the dance floor again, soon.’

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Well, we are all stuck at home. What does a day for you look like right now?

We’re all in this together and trying keep keep ourselves occupied with work or honey related stuff. For me it’s exactly the same. I just hope that everyone is safe and healthy. Crazy times nobody thought of or saw coming.

How big of an adjustment is it for you now that you aren’t touring? Is this a welcome break?

Some of the Dashers know that recently I’ve became a dad of a now two month old. In that sense, I’m very happy to be at home where at the same time it’s challenging to be “stuck” in your house 24/7. I can’t wait to start touring again. I’ve had the pleasure to always been in an environment where people are genuine happy and letting go of everyday struggles. Can you imagine the first party after all this?

Your recent battle to regain control of Dash Berlin has been so public. Can you tell us a little more about your health; how you are doing; about YOU now that this is all over?

Actually I do not want to go over this. What done is done, and for people who want to know, read the exclusive online interview I did for DJ Mag regarding that situation.

What can we expect from you this year when it comes to original releases?

As much as possible. I’m trying to restructure the way to release my music, and this is taking way more time than anticipated. For now people just have to wait. I’ve received many many questions about this and all I can say now is: Be patient and I hope it’s worth the wait!

Since you come from a musical family and grew up playing the drums, have you ever considered performing with instruments during your live sets?

Not really, although the influence can be super cool if you do it right! But never say never, I do have to start picking up drumming again though. But timewise I think I can divide my time in a better way.

What inspired you to start writing out notes for fans on an ipad during your live sets?

Trying to look for a way of extra connection, besides music and visuals. Over time I’ve learned that using the iPad was a super nice idea. In a club. Not perse on a big festival, as the majority of the crowd cannot see what I’m trying to get across on a tiny iPad screen. Above & Beyond is doing this in a perfect way and consistently.

What kind of a Saturday night is your Saturday Night Session going to get fans ready for?

A Dash Berlin Live DJ Session! Hope to see you guys on the dance floor again, soon.