40 Questions: Patrik Berg

Patrik Berg has been hard at work in the studio for years, building a catalogue of music that includes outings with Tronic, Intec, Filth On Acid, and most commonly, Monika Kruse’s Terminal M.

This month the Cologne-based German will make his debut on Drumcode with a track on their A-Sides Vol.10 compilation, alongside the likes of Alan Fitzpatrick, Bart Skils, and label boss Adam Beyer.

We welcome Patrik to our 40 Questions series ahead of the release, where we find mentions of everything from eating chicken cartilage and Whoopi Goldberg, to Salad Fingers and Yuval Noah Harrari.

01. Where are you right now and what are you doing?

I’m in my studio crafting some new music.

02. What year were you born?

I was born in 1985.

03. Do you have a nickname?

Maybe back in school days but currently I don’t have one.

04. What’s the coolest thing in your house?

Apart from my studio, I’d say the kitchen area as I like to cook up in both senses of the word and it’s a good escape from music.

05. How would you describe yourself?

I’m a cologne-based music producer, DJ & raver, I’m 35 years of age and have been involved in music since early childhood.

I’d say I’m a spontaneous, somewhat impatient, sensitive (though others may disagree) & caring person.

06. Worst experience as a DJ?

Being booked for a big EDM show (being unaware beforehand), with an average audience age of 16-18 in the midst of blown up unicorns.

The manager initially didn’t even want me to get on stage which caused a huge delay in between acts basically guarding the stage and by the time I got on stage the room was empty.

07. Best experience as a DJ?

Almost impossible for me to pin down since there have been so many but one thing that’s always touching are the interactions with the audience members and being asked for track names.

08. Favourite record label?

I think it’s shared between two labels, Terminal M and Drumcode, both of which have been very influential.

09. What’s your biggest weakness?

I’d say it’s my impatience.

10. First record you ever paid for?

I think it’s Michael Jackson’s Dangerous, though I’m not 100% sure.

11. What’s your morning routine?

First thing I need is my breakfast to get started, then I usually do some sport (jogging and then off to the gym). The very next thing is to go to the studio and start working.

12. Your dream collaboration?

As far as Techno goes, it’s Pig&Dan, Adam Beyer, Eli Brown.

13. Tell us something we shouldn’t know about you?

I can build a perfect joint/blunt with one hand.

14. Who’s your biggest inspiration outside of music?

As far as people close to me, it’s my family, but apart from that I’ve definitely been influenced by the work of the authors Arno Gruen, Yuval Noah Harrari, and my general experiences growing up.

15. And in the industry?

I’d say the same people I’d also like to collab with: Pig&Dan as producers as I love their variety and as an executive Adam Beyer, as he has great oversight.

16. Ever smoked?

Yes, though I stopped smoking cigarettes 5 years ago, so the only constant in that regard has been weed.

17. Ever done drugs?

Let’s put it like this, I have definitely had my experiences.

18. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

Despite knowing it may sound cheesy, but the birth of my son Neo.

19. And the best gift you’ve ever given?

It’s always difficult to assess that yourself but I’d say for one its introducing people to new music they didn’t know beforehand and having inspired the people around me to strive to do better.

20. What’s the coolest place you’ve ever been to?

Very difficult for me to pin down but as far as recent experiences go, I’d have to say Japan inspired me both culturally and as far as the architecture, food and the overall atmosphere go.

21. And one place you want to visit?

I’d really like to visit Australia as it’s so different from anything I’ve experienced. Within Europe I’d say Italy as I haven’t been there before even though it’s the favorite holiday destination of most Germans.

22. If you weren’t in the music industry, what would you be doing?

The two options I could see for myself would be going into politics as there are many obvious common-sense things that I’d like to change or owning a cocktail bar/restaurant as I’m passionate about food and cooking.

23. Worst job you’ve ever had?

Kitchen aid in a small and overly crowded restaurant as a juvenile with a tyrannical boss who did everything except getting physically violent basically & scraping asbestos from old chimneys.

24. Favourite record right now?

Rebuke – Livewire at the moment but that’s something that constantly changes for me.

25. And the best record ever made?

Within electronic music it’s Thomas Schuhmacher – Home & Daft Punk – Homework. Outside of electronic music I’d say Michael Jackson’s Dangerous or Busta Rhymes – Genesis.

26. One thing you couldn’t live without?

The possibility of playing my music live for people and seeing their initial reaction.

27. Your favourite food?

Thai Laab Gai salad & Sushi.

28. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Fried chicken knee cartilages in Japan, they were delicious though.

29. Who would you want to play you in a movie?

Whoopi Goldberg.

30. What’s something you’re passionate about besides music?

Cooking and food culture, as well as sports.

31. Favourite club you’ve played at?

Very hard for me to choose one but especially given the latest developments through the lens of nostalgia it’s the recently closed EGG London.

32. Favourite festival you’ve played at?

As far as festivals go it’s the Luft & Liebe festival

33. Craziest story of being on the road?

The most surreal experience I’ve had was playing the Columbo in Sri Lanka, the venue is located right at the beach in the middle of a tropical jungle next to a Hotel, which had a large glass facade with pools and balconies and that contrast of technology and nature along with the enthusiasm of the audience made for a great experience.

34. Weirdest request as a DJ?

Getting handed a USB stick by an audience member along with the request to play some dubstep or being asked to play Britney Spears during a gig in Bavaria.

35. If you had one superpower what would it be?

Erasing hate in people’s heads.

36. Late sleeper or early riser?

Late sleeper for sure.

37. Strangest video you’ve watched on YouTube?

Salad Fingers by David Firth.

38. The top thing on your bucket list?

Driving to Paris and getting tattooed by one of my favorite tattoo artists, Lewis from Black Symmetry and a family trip to Japan.

39. Most memorable moment of your life so far?

Even with the risk of repeating myself but the birth of my son has been the most impactful event in my life so far.

40. Will you ever be done with music?

Counter question – Is the pope a catholic?

Patrik Berg’s Activation drops December 7th on Drumcode A-Sides Vol.10.