+ What was it like growing up in Helsinki and how did the place impact on your approach to music?

Helsinki, and Finland in particular, is a place of extremities. cold and dark winters and warm and bright summers for example. In Winter you tend to get into things that you can do at home, like music for example, and in summer you come out of your cave and want to celebrate and share it with everyone, the Vikings used to call Finns “the crazy, dancing folk”.

Since I’ve been in Berlin, I think I am still inspired by the darkness and melancholy, but also, strangely, I try to express it through a positive energy. Extremities!

+ You studied Architecture in Berlin circa 1994, do you personally feel any close synergy between the buildings of a city and its music?

Techno is technologic music and architecture is a very technology based art. I see very much in common in the thinking and also the creative process. I am also always very inspired by a room where I play, trying to create sonic architecture that fits to the atmosphere. I am not so much inspired by the architecture of a city within my music though, rather every day things…

+ Away from Berlin you have a strong reputation for a being a truly a global DJ, in your experience where have you enjoyed playing most?

There are so many places that have unique regional qualities. I would be lying if I wouldn’t say Berlin is my number one, as there is a very special club culture in terms of opening times and interest in music and clubs like Panorama bar and Watergate. But there are also so many places that have a special energy even when you might not expect it. For instance when you arrive after a long travel in terms of connecting flights and 2.5 hours drive and you find this amazing crowd knowing about what you do and giving their everything! I had so many good times in Mexico, Spain, Italy, France, U.K, Brazil, Germany, Finland and the list goes on…

+ Your most recent album Kaiku seems a more introspective, contemplative affair than previous releases, do you see this as an inevitable step towards maturing as an artist? Leaving the club for the headspace perhaps?

I am certainly not leaving the clubs, that’s why we are taking care of the remixes for the album’s singles, but for me an album has to tell a story and be much more than just a collection of club tracks. Even in a club context, I am interested in things that do a bit more than just force you to jump up and down. Also my first album tried to work along the same lines, but I would call “Kaiku” more mature as this time I succeeded a bit better in my vision, I’d say.

+What’s upcoming for Kiki, do you want to concentrate on Dj’ing/ mixes like the Boogie Bytes series, or is their another full length album underway?

First of all, we have loads of remixes coming from the album, first one being “Immortal” with Anja Schneider, Holger Zilske, subb-an and myself on duties. The third single is also being planned at the moment. And, there is a bpitch control compilation coming out in the beginning of next year, the first single will be a split by Sascha Funke and me. Their are also lots of remixes I’ve done for other people coming out one by one plus all the touring of course! I’ve just moved to a new studio as we speak and I’m pretty sure it will inspire me to come up with lots of things in the future… stay tuned!