NUDE145: Katrin Wolke

Katrin Wolke – born in the late 90’s, back in just as early as the summer of 2022 she had no idea what kind of talent she had. It wasn’t long before she was in contact with the DJ equipment, and in a flash, she picked up the rules of set build-up and creative mixing. She developed her own unique style of performing very often, quickly became visible and started playing.

However, her appearance in a different role in the clubs made a lot of confusion on the local scene. Kasia – unfortunately – experienced a kind of social obstruction in the industry from the very beginning of her career due to her gender, talent and also her unremarkable look.

Her first and most important project, She Is Techno, is a podcast platform created to unite and promote female artists associated with the techno scene from around the world. It is also her protest and expression of disagreement against any discriminatory behavior in the scene. The project immediately found as many supporters as imitators.

Kasia soon also gained the ability to produce music (both in the VST environment and on available hardware). This immediately became her passion. That’s why her next project brought to life in cooperation with her life partner, manager and best mate was the digital label Hot Techno Near You Records.

She strongly established herself as a producer by doing a remix for German artist and performer Jemek Jemovit. This number appeared on the P.Z.P.R. PROPAGANDA EP (along with remixes by Borusiade, V, Iwona Sky and Lady Maru) released by the cult French label Atypeek Music. She is currently working on her own unique sound based on “rumble kicks & synth-pop melodies.” Her first official foreign EP will be released soon – it is about the end of March and the beginning of April. It will probably be three instead of four tracks as she originally assumed, including one remixed by Sichtkontakt.

In her hometown of Krakow, behind the DJ, she can most often be found at the Prozak 2.0 club where both the owners and the wonderful bartender-dj crew hold true to the credo of rave culture – PLUR. As for other bookings, Kasia has several special events in her calendar. By the middle of the year, you will be able to see her on one stage with renowned artists such as Narciss and TØLR.

Today, she joins the NUDE Techno podcast, with an hour of Techno. Listen to it below on SoundCloud & Mixcloud. If you are feeling this series, then please consider supporting it on Mixcloud Select.

Sum up this podcast in 10 words… 

My approach to the latest trance influences in hard techno with a 90’s touch. 

What’s your personal favourite track on it? 

It’s definitely Lawrence Lee’s distinctive „Hardcore Seoul“ remixed by Tred. The remarkable feature of the track, sort of bell-like fluctuating sound seems to slow down the whole piece, but the „galloping“ hi-hats dispel this impression. Plus the simple „drop the bass“. Outstanding. 

What’s the special ingredient in this mix? 

Finding one common feature in the tracks that are currently catching my ear. And speeding up in the middle of the mix. Cause why not? 

Tell us about your next EP? 

The first track is the one I start the podcast with, going by a draft name: “Bass up!“. The second is based on rave stabs and a disturbing acid-like sound. The whole number is accompanied by an amen break uniquely low-passed in various ways. Next one called “Evil Hihats” is my favorite. We took the vocal sample from a UK vinyl release from 1996 Juicy Cuts (vol. 4). This one was produced by DNA (Morgan Rooms), who I am sure you know quite well. We actually own a copy this vinyl. The vocal “Listen to the hihat, kicks in every sample” comes from T La Rock – ‘Runaway’. In the fourth track you’ll hear my favorite kind of techno rumble bassdrum with a lot of reverb on it – this one also includes a vocal: „Number one undercover the inventor of wildstyle“ from a 1996 track by DJ Supreme. 

What have you got coming up? 

I am super excited about this year. I have gigs with some great line ups incoming. I’m also really pleased with how my “She Is Techno” project is evolving and how many opportunities it provides, with more new submissions that the platform receives – I already met so many inspiring and driven women thanks to the project. We have also launched a digital label called Hot Techno Near You Records and are kicking it off by making more & more releases. 

Do you have a special message for our readers? 

Always give credit to your favourite artists. Don’t be reluctant to mention, quote, label and recognize artists who are important to you, and have impressed you with their work and what they do! Let’s remember that the industry is created by inspired and passionate people.

Tracklist:

Katrin Wolke – Bass Up (Sichtkontakt Remix) (unreleased)
Bushwankaz – Action
Malugi – She Wolf In Disguise
Lars Huismann – Loucura
Isaiah Firebrace – Repeatedly
mischluft – getting down
Flores – Pure Heart
Danny Wabbit – When I’m Alone
Lucass P – Hypnotise
Deadly Alive – Freeze Rael (Liams Promethazine Edit)
Djamzer – Drum Nation
SZG – Make Us Go Crazy
Christian Rogers – The Beat (SIKOTI Hard Edit) (unreleased)
Austin Corrosive – Recharge It (Tassid Remix)
XTECH – Play it
Nova Cheg x Dj Sideswipe – Mush
Dj Ali – Warpt
LSDXOXO – Mutant Exotic (D.Dan Remix)
Y-N Ø T – Crave (Mython Remix)
Lawrence Lee – Hardcore Seoul (Tred Remix)
Utoka – Ballistics
Bad Boy Pete – EeK a Tek (Tassid Remix)
Franck – Verdansk Tool (unreleased)
Katrin Wolke & Sichtkontakt – ID