Ellen Allien
DJ | Producer | Label Boss
‘The table wobbles, the flesh is willing’ - a comment under Ellen Allien’s livestream from her balcony in Berlin, where the Berliner Fernsehturm looms in the background against a dusky and a man wearing a pint-sized dress dances behind her, the table definitely coming close to toppling.
It would be hard not to move to Ellen’s set even if it meant the mixer and CDJs slid off the table. With a sound that exudes hypnotising melodies to pummelling, hard-edged rhythms for dancefloors as diverse as DC10 to Berghain, Ellen has built a rich collection of music since the late 80s. Learning her craft with early residencies at The Bunker, Tresor, E-Werk and on the airwaves of Kiss FM, it was the launch of her label BPitch in 1999 that marked a turning point in her trajectory.
With over two decades of DJing, producing, label A&Ring and also promoting and establishing her event series ‘We Are Not Alone’, Ellen is one of the longest-running purveyors of techno out there, and continues to radiate her sound and spirit whether there’s a pandemic or not. Due to her multiple endeavours in electronic music, Ellen has remained a stalwart of dance music around the globe because of sheer determination, hard graft and an ability to embrace music in all its forms.
An artist with both a business and creative mind, Ellen has continued to run BPitch with precision and play for thousands of dance music lovers albeit in a different way since March. This summer she released her ninth studio album and the first of many more (hopefully) We Are Not Alone partys at Revier Südost aka the new Griessmühle.
The below memory comes from a time when it was supposed to festival season. Like many cancelled festivals, live streams have replaced most large-scale gatherings across the globe, something which Ellen is all too familiar with at this point. She also chats about how she has channelled her energy to keep BPitch ticking over, how she is feeling about the future and more…
Photo: I AM JOHANNES
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it? What was the music vibe at the time?
This photo was taken during the Movement Festival streaming I did in May this year.
Movement is one of the best techno festivals in the USA. Every two years I am playing in Detroit for them. Like all festivals around the world this one was also cancelled this year. They decided to do an online festival and invited artists around the world to stream from their hometown. I was very lucky to be part of it and to stream from a ruined fabric building in the east of Berlin. Industrial, rough and emotional. Just like what I love to play and how I would define my style.
How have you been over the last few months and what is life currently like in Berlin?
I am in Berlin and feeling good. Just the corona action is so present in my life that it goes on my nerves. I spent a lot of time in the studio, it is just a bit strange to not play anymore. Only few shows I had the last months, like in Paris, Berlin, Poland, Hamburg, Leipzig, Italy and Croatia and streaming on my balcony, B2B with Héctor Oaks on HÖR Radio, Dr.Rubinstein, Boiler Room, Arte Concert and for the Movement Festival like mentioned before. And the live hybrid set from my album AurAA form the Berlin TV Tower.
You recently curated and played at an open-air We Are Not Alone event at Revier Südost - what was that like for you?
Luckily there are now some open-air events in Berlin. ‘Til now I played twice in Berlin, the second one was last Saturday for our event We Are Not Alone at Revier Südost, a new club in Berlin.
They had to close in January and the new venue just opened on September 18th. They are running open airs with limited capacity and safety rules, rave safe! That is very cool and uplifting that in 2020 new clubs are opening. It gives hope. It was very emotional for me to play there, to see friends, to dance and having a good time. I am so thankful to David the owner of Revier Südost who gave us a new home.
June marked the release of your 9th album AurAA. How did you find the experience of finishing and releasing such a poignant album in the midst of a turbulent year?
In March I just came back from Mexico, where I played some cool shows, back to Berlin and back to the lockdown. That was a very shocking moment. Almost all tracks for AurAA were already finished. I did just the vocals for Human.
But I continued to produce tracks during lockdown. For our new We Are Not Alone Compilation. 33 exclusive tracks from different techno producers coming out in three parts, the first one just came out last Friday. I did a track for a collective from Essen called The Thirdroom, they are running techno events in warehouses and industrial locations. For their compilation I did a track called C19bitch. And a remix for Amotik. I did music all the time. My motivation to do other things was a bit low.
I am working on a collaboration with a Berlin label Nakt, a club wear brand. Four pieces we are working on, Bomber Jacket, T-Shirt, Sweater and Pants. It’s fun.
Regarding further BPitch releases, can you share any plans or upcoming productions which we can look out for in future from the label?
End of this month there will be a new EP of Amotik, a Berlin-based producer. His minimalist, hypnotic take on techno caught immediately my attraction. ‘Daya’ contains four powerful cuts, with undulating low frequencies and nuanced composition designed to target mind, body and spirit...out on 30th October.
Later in November there will be the first bunch of remixes from my album AurAA…with very cool remixes from some of my favorite producers at the moment. Next year two more We Are Not Alone compilations and many more exciting new talents…
As a creative in the music industry, how do you feel about the future at the moment?
I think that clubs and festivals will come back huge. We need to exchange vibes and music. Berlin will also have a big hype again. Many people are calling me and asking if I know someone renting a flat or room. Music is part of our lifestyle, corona or not, it is a pandemic and we want it to be over now.
What has been a source of calm or comfort for you throughout 2020 so far?
Long boat trips on the Spree with my new love, a Berliner. I had also more time to connect with Berliner artists and to exchange creative ideas for the future.
Listen to Ellen’s latest set for 909 Festival here and follow her below: