Berlin's relentless disco machine DJ Kaos is back in town for May Day's Eve at Nolla. Kaos a.k.a. Dennis Kaun is busy touring, producing music and nowadays also running a label called Jolly Jams. We reached him a few days before his return to Helsinki. Classic, outspoken Kaos guaranteed.

 

It seems you're playing quite a lot around the world – what have been the nicest cities and clubs for you lately?

 

– A classic question, hehe! Tijuana, Mexico in general – I love it out there! Playa Del Carmen is on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, it's beautiful and has a massive night life and the beach, of course. In Los Angeles I play a lot, also San Francisco, San Diego, all West Coast is great and good for partying.

 

NYC a bit, I used to go there a lot in the early 90's. I still play there 4–5 times a year, it's still a great place. Japan is great too, my buddies Force of Nature throw good parties. Hopefully this year I'm back there. Australia is amazing – Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast – all good and I have amazing friends there!

 

Berlin, of course and I like Switzerland too. Hamburg is kinda lame place, sorry haha! But love it, the city is nice – the nightlife got too much minimal techno, it seems they don't know what's up! I like a lot of places, as long as people treat me good I come back. I have my spots where I play regularly, it's better that way. I am doing this tour for MTV in Italy during this summer, it's been a while. Italy is great!

 

Besides traditional DJ gigs, you've selected music for fashion shows as well. How do you approach such task usually? Has any of these experiences been especially memorable for you?

 

– Oh yeah... I've been doing music for the Mercedes Benz Fashion week in Berlin recently. They have the budgets and stuff, so it's worth the production we do! A lot of creative designers are around, unknown stuff – I like that! I've worked also for classics like YSL, Chanel etc. but the power is somewhere else, the young guns are what counts. Wood Wood is good stuff.

 

You own label, Jolly Jams, kicked off last year. What made you to start a label of your own in the first place? Is there a certain musical direction you want to take the label into?

 

– Stay independent! That's what I gotta say! I've been with record companies for more than 15 years. They're lame and slow and have no taste! Or they're hip and have media attention, so they will NOT pay you! I can't do that anymore, I don't give a flying fuck about all that hipster, short-lived shit! Jolly Jams is my little label, we only do stuff we love, I have a lot of great music coming along... it's gonna be BIG!

 

Whose tracks are coming up next on Jolly Jams?

 

– Split Secs from L.A., California is the next 12" coming. We do also downloads, all via Word and Sound! Softwar just came out and went number one on Juno Download charts. The EP is pressed on vinyl now, out soon! Tiago's 12" will be out soon, it's a real big club record, a HUGE house techno record with mixes from Tony Watson. Also The Backwoods from Japan, Force of Nature's DJ Kent. I have a record out myself, a big house tune with Tevo Howard. Stuff like that – you will see... and hear.

 

Tell a bit more about your own forthcoming productions.

 

There are two Kaos 12"'s  coming out before the summer. We'll licence them to another label in the USA, Australia and Japan. Here are some remixes I've done recently:

 

The Backwoods – Breakthrough (Dj Kaos "The Krautz" mix)

!!! – Heart of Hearts (DJ Kaos HoH Extend) (for the Warp 20 (1989–2011) Box Set)

Fernando – The 87 (DJ Kaos “Soul Caravan” remix)

Bryan Ferry – Shameless (DJ Kaos “No Filler” remix)

Runaway – Extra City Jazz (DJ Kaos remix) (Alex & TK's Split Secs dub)

Tame Impala – Tame Impala (Dj Kaos “Psyche Stomp” remix)

Wolfram Amadeus – Error (404) (Dj Kaos “808 Space jam” remix)

Munk – Violent Love (Dj Kaos “Secret Vocal” remix)

 

 

Your latest album Hello Stranger came out in 2005. Any plans to release a new full length record, or are you happy with releasing tweve-inches for the time being?

 

– Yeah, there is a bunch of twelve-inches floating around, but an LP will be coming. I need some time, but it will happen! Some Hello Stranger titles are going to be re-mastered and re-released on Jolly Jams, and also the DFA stuff will be re-released soon. I am going thru some classics right now. 

 

Which spots, parties and local dj's would you recommend to check out in Berlin this summer?

 

– I run my own party on the rooftop of the Adlon Hotel this summer – an amazing view and a Funktion One sound etc. Capacity for 300 people and below is the China Club with bar food, a lot of good art, etc. It's a very special place!

 

I played at Panorama for a while, but it became a nasty tourist attraction with too much minimal techno. There is a bunch of underground stuff going which is fun for sure. My favourite dj's are Radioslave, Danny Wang, Tevo Howard, Dj Fetisch et cetera – the real jocks! I can't stand DJ's with their laptops, that's NOT OK!

 

Last but not least – what are the key factors that make a DJ a great one, in your opinion?

 

– ANARCHY!