Written Interview with MINCO for FWD.DJ 2018

Listen to the mix here: http://www.fwd.dj/mix/fwd114-minco/

First, tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m born in Berlin, I’m from here. My roots are in West Africa. My mom is from Togo—a former German colony—and my father is from Guinea.

How’d you start with music?

Initially I was more into dance and photography. I studied photography. I was always surrounded by friends who are / were DJs. So I used to tell them “Yeah, show me some good stuff where I can dance to!” I was always focused on dancing and vibes.

I was really into hip hop, R’n’B, and of course African music and Afropop.

How did you get into house music and go in that direction?

It started with house dance first! I really got into it. Then, of course, I got more into the music. I was like, “damn, I’m really feeling the music!” House music is feeling music. And dancing is about feelings. If you don’t feel it, you can’t really transmit the message. The same with dancing––you have a message you want to transmit—. By moving your body, you are translating the message of the track.

As a DJ, I want to share all these emotions and feelings. Often there are no words to describe how we feel, but we can show it through our art, through music.

Where did you draw your early influences from? Has being from Berlin influenced your music at all?

I was actually drawn to hip hop. My parents went out to all these American clubs, so they played the music back home. I was not so into techno at that time and have never ever been to the Love Parade! I wasn’t a hater, I just didn’t get it. When I listened to techno back in the days and nowadays, at least for me, it has changed or maybe I also changed.

What kind of music are you drawn to these days?

I like music that is energetic and gentle at the same time. Music that makes unnoticed hold of you and makes you move along feeling the present.

How did you start DJing and connect with RISE Collective?

My friend Pamela (DJ PAM BAM) got me into DJing. Another friend introduced me to Floyd Lavine, one of the co-founders of RISE.

One day, I found myself playing a random rooftop party during Sonar Festival, when I happened to be there for vacation. Things started rolling from there. Floyd heard I DJed and told me to send him a mix first and maybe I can play one day at RISE.

Four weeks later I met Floyd again. He asked me, “Where’s my mix?” In my head, I thought I’d send him something when I practiced more...The only thing I could respond was “Oh, you mean now? Now, now?” He realized I was hesitant because i was scared and said, “That’s good, because you’re going to get nowhere, if you get comfortable.” And he was right. Growth only happens when you step out of your comfort zone.

I finally sent it to him. I was so nervous and I didn’t hear back from him for a few weeks. Eventually, Floyd wrote back and asked me to play at the RISE open air. Unfortunately I had to say no since I was going to be in Togo. I was so sad!

[Eventually, MINCO was available to play with RISE at Watergate and the rest is history. She is now regular resident and crew member. She describes the experience “like getting your first kiss. You know, the anticipation right before that? I will never forget the energy in the room, the people and how we connect. The love I felt!”]

How has being part of RISE influenced you?

Even before I joined the RISE Collective, I was drawn to their music and style–– Especially to the sound of Hyenah––. Who would have thought that I would play one day with them. They opened my music horizon. I don’t know if there’s really bad music out in this world, it’s just that you might not be vibing to some of it.

What can we find you listening to at home on a Sunday afternoon?

My Sundays are quiet. I need to recharge myself. I need me time. If I listen to music, I start moving...so...me time is chill time. No action Jackson!

Keep an eye out for more RISE parties and for MINCO on tour around Europe. Catch her at:

Sept 29 @ RISE, Watergate, Berlin https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1150751
Oct 19 @ ADE, Amsterdam https://www.residentadvisor.net/events/1149688
Follow MINCO on RA https://www.residentadvisor.net/dj/minco

Tags: Berlin, Panorama Bar