SPOTLIGHT: MINIMALENE
Published September 2, 2022
The ever interesting Danish scene for electronic music is thriving because of passion and dedication from all its various actors: DJs, promoters, crews, bookers, audience etc. Minimalene is no exception. We’re simply impressed by her energy and inspirational approach to the scene. Saturday 24 September she’s back in Red Box together with Annælix and Katz-K. Get on board and get to know her just a little better in this small feature!
Hometown: Copenhagen
How and why has electronic music become a part of your life?
I started listening to electronic music when I was 16 years old and I have been drawn to this fascinating world ever since. Of course it’s the music itself that I love, it makes me happy, bubbling with joy every time I discover a new track or artist and listen in my headphones. But it’s also at techno parties and festivals where I find like minded people, who share the same values in life as me. I like the the way of partying and the atmosphere – especially at outdoor festivals. My closest friends and I all share love for electronic music, so it’s just been very natural to get into the whole thing.
How would you describe your own approach to music and performing?
For me it’s about sharing great music and creating a fun and playful vibe when I play music that people hopefully will bring home with them. I’m very humble and grateful for each gig I get, and I love to connect with people and feel their reactions on the dance floor. To connect with people means everything. I’m super excited and nervous every time I step behind the decks, and then 2-3 tracks into the set, the nerves calm down and I just have a LOT of fun.
I love to dress up when I play and wear glittery outfits. I feel it’s more fun for people to look at too. A part of my “act” I guess.
Where does your artistic talent come from?
Wow, thank you! Hmm, I don’t really know how to answer that. I’m happy to hear you think I have a talent. Hahaha. Having had time to develop my own style and being given the chance to play a lot of amazing gigs! Each gig I feel like I learn something new and am able to relax more and more. And also I feel that I have a good ear for the music, putting together my sets and I have a strong intuition about what tracks to play when, but I guess every DJ will say the same 🙂
Can you tell us about your inspirations and influences as a musician?
I think Fusion Festival has been – and still is – a very big source of inspiration for me. For music and for dressing up and making decorations at parties. Dancing many, MANY hours at Tanzwiese, Turmbühne, Bachsteltzen and Sonnendeck and listening to the amazing artists who perform there. Just walking around at Fusion and being astonished about the effort people put into creating experiences for others. It always blows my mind.
It seems like you have a lovely and dedicated crowd of friends and supporters coming to dance every time you play – how is that?
I really, really LOVE my people! And I’m super grateful to the people who keep turning up for my gigs! Gives me confidence that I must be doing something right, hahaha.
I’m so happy when I see friends and faces I know, and also love when new people “discover” my music when I play a gig.
The crowd gives me energy and I try to give it back to them. It’s a symbiosis, actually.
How do you see the Danish electronic music scene right now, and your own place in it?
I see a lot of new talents emerging and the scene is growing rapidly. Electronic music is becoming more popular, and I for one, am happy about that. It gives room for diversity within the scene. It’s not every genre that I like, and I feel now that I am part of the “old” generation, haha. But that’s also the way it’s supposed to be. I feel a lot of people like the kind of music that I play, and the growing scene creates more opportunities to get booked for gigs.
What is the best advice you have ever had?
“Relax. Enjoy. No one will care if you make a bad transition. It’s about the vibe you create and the music you play. No one is judging you, we’re all just here to have a good time”. Best advice to me and to all the new DJs out there actually.
What’s your wishes and plans for the future?
I would love to play at more international venues and small festivals abroad. Also I would love for our crew, Umfi Umfi, to be more involved with building festivals and stages. On a further scale, I would like to create a venue in Copenhagen with all the creative people I know and host cool parties with awesome decor.
Do you have any good advice for Culture Box in regards to the future of electronic music in Denmark?
Yes! More outdoor parties! Like the collab you made with Hangaren last summer. And have crews to make “takeover” events so you diversify the music a bit more at CB. And to re-decorate Red Box a bit. Give it a bit more love. Get inspiration from clubs in Berlin for example. I feel that Copenhagen needs it, because we don’t have many techno clubs and you have many people coming through there every weekend. Pimp it up a bit!
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