The Berlin-based DJ and producer CALLUSH is known for her rebellious and dynamic journeys. She leads her sets by combining her dark and industrial selection with elements of Trance and EBM, creating a unique ride of discovery. Her strong passion for Techno has evolved through numerous club and festival performances across Europe and beyond. With a heart full of fire and desire that can’t be tamed, Callush founded Riot Tapes in early 2024. The label and event series not only serve as a platform for Callush’s unique vision of techno and related genres but also for like-minded artists.

 

Carolina, thank you so much for connecting with us today. How are you doing and where in the world are you speaking to us from?

Thank you for having me! I’m currently speaking to you from Berlin, Germany and as the summer and festival season is just around the corner I’m doing very good. It’s a pleasure to conduct this interview and connect with you today.

 

Looking back at 2023, it seems like it was quite a whirlwind year for you! Could you share some of the highlights and standout moments?

Absolutely! 2023 was indeed an emotional rollercoaster, but I'm grateful for all the new experiences it brought. Being able to travel and explore different countries and cities, share my music, and connect with people from all corners of the globe has been an absolute blessing. After completing my studies, I spent a total of 7 years working for various companies in marketing. However, at the beginning of last year, I made the decision to leave that field behind and focus full-time on my music—and it turned out to be the best decision of my life so far. Since then, I've been able to dedicate much more time to my own music productions and refine my workflow.In December 2023, I made the decision to create my own label, "Riot Tapes," to represent my tracks and connect even more with the community.

 

For someone who may not be familiar with your music, how would you describe it in a few words? I saw the word "rebellious" used but I wonder if you can elaborate!

Basically, I don’t follow any rules. While playing, I love to create a dynamic journey out of various styles, such as (hard)techno, Schranz, hardgroove, trance, or more melodic tracks. I want to surprise the crowd with my track selection and especially by the combination of the different sounds, so they are never aware of what might come next. My vision is to create a unique atmosphere by highlighting contrasts: breaking the rough and hard sound, which I really enjoy, with gentle, tender, or playful elements, introducing a sense of lightness into my sets.

 

Your journey in electronic music is intriguing. Can you walk us through how you found your way to your current musical focus as an artist?

I used to go to raves a lot before DJing. Through all those nights and different artists I listened to, I quickly realized what kind of sound I personally enjoyed while dancing. During this time, I was always digging for good tracks and collecting them for myself in playlists. At one point, I just got the impulse: why not switch positions and make people dance with my musical selection? And here we are today. :)

Are there any other sub-genres of techno that you're drawn to and enjoy listening to, apart from the style you typically play?

I am super open-minded and can enjoy almost every sub-genre of techno, especially when I have the right people around me. I also think that experiencing other genres is actually super important for the musical vision, because you can break out of your bubble and catch new inspiration, for example, for your own sets or productions. Two sub-genres I really like would be hard-house or trance. Sometimes when I drop one or two selected hard house tracks during my sets, what isn’t typical in general for techno-sets, I can see how people inhale this contrast in a positive way and give some fresh energy back to me.

 

Beyond techno, do you explore and listen to other genres of music? If so, how do they influence your creative output within the techno realm?

Definitely! I listen to other genres of music in almost every situation in my life: while traveling, while grocery shopping, while hanging out with friends, or while exercising—it depends on my mood and sometimes on what the Spotify algorithm drops. But it indeed gives me a lot of inspiration for my own productions. As I mentioned before, it helps me break out of my own bubble. Personally, I have a passion for post-punk and rock music that has fulfilled me since I was in school.

 

Apart from music, what are three other hobbies, passions, or interests that you pursue outside of your artistic endeavors?

I have a big passion for photography. This, in combination with traveling, is an absolute pleasure. I always have my eyes open for unique moments to capture. Also, to maintain a healthier balance alongside all the nights and traveling, I enjoy doing sports, upcycling some clothes or hanging out with my friends (and dogs, haha) and creating some core memories with them.

 

Could you take us through a typical day in your life when you're not on tour?

Currently, I’m thoroughly enjoying my workflow in music production, so I spend a lot of time in my studio creating new tracks for the upcoming months. I’m becoming more and more comfortable with developing a signature sound that I really enjoy, which keeps me motivated and eager to maintain this flow. Of course, alongside this, I’m always on the hunt for tracks from other artists. I don’t like to play the same set every weekend. I always need different and new tracks because this keeps my excitement from gig to gig, just like in the beginning of my career. I always feel that this excitement also resonates with the crowd, and I strive to deliver the best experience for them.

 

 

Throughout your career, what are three key lessons you've learned that have been instrumental in shaping your journey as an artist?

1. Staying true to one's own musical vision to remain unique.

2. Learning to produce one's own tracks: The technical knowledge reflects in DJing as well and in general, also helps to define you as an artist.

3. Getting enough sleep/rest between gigs: Knowing your limits is important if you want to provide the crowd with a proper experience.

 

Your releases on various labels have garnered attention. Can you give us a glimpse into your studio setup? Any interesting details or perhaps even some photos to share?

I’m working with Ableton since day one. Testing new plugins is key while producing. I love Serum VST and the SoundToys Bundle. If you have the chance you should definitely give them a try. 

 

What is your process like in the studio? Do you have any specific rituals or routines that help you maximize your creative output?

I usually start with a key element (might be a vocal or a melody) for a new track, followed by the kick and bassline. The selected elements shape the whole idea and story of a new project. Afterwards, I define more of the smaller highlights. I've realized that tracks I finish more quickly are usually the better ones. When you overthink and work way too long on a track, you get stuck and the idea can't evolve freely. Then it is important to take a break from it. The distance usually helps because you can catch some new energy and inspiration in the meantime.

 

For aspiring producers looking to get their first record signed to a label, what advice or tips would you offer based on your own experiences?

Take your time, especially in the beginning when you're learning how to produce. Get familiar with your DAW, exchange ideas with colleagues, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice or help. It takes some time as a rookie, but when you're constantly exploring your DAW, watching tutorials, and producing tracks, it will improve your mixing and workflow. Afterwards, when you feel ready, send your tracks to some artists via SoundCloud so they can test them. This often helps in building connections. When your tracks get some attention, labels might even reach out to you directly, making the process much easier to release on a label. Sometimes self-releases as a free download are also a good way to step into the scene.

 

With a new year ahead, what are some of the main things you're looking forward to in 2024, both personally and professionally?

I’m aiming to share more of my own productions with the community and build up my label Riot Tapes even more. I've been focusing a lot on improving my mixing skills in the last few months, and seeing the progress I've made really makes me happy. Two of my upcoming tracks are specially made for the summer season because they are more playful and feature some lovely vocals. Also, I’m super excited about playing at a lot of huge festivals this year and being able to connect more with the community, so the Rebels fam can grow.

 

We've heard whispers of a U.S. tour in the works. Can you share any details or exciting tidbits about that?

That’s true! My team is working on a proper U.S. tour right now, but we can’t announce a date yet. But I’m super looking forward to visiting the U.S., bringing a lot of my own tracks with me, and dancing with you all so we can create some a lot of core memories! Thank you for this lovely interview!

 

Connect with CALLUSH: Instagram | Resident Advisor | Soundcloud | Instagram Riot Tapes