Len Faki
Origin: Germany
Berlin based DJ, producer and label owner Len Faki is one of the most outstanding and in-demand artists in techno’s present age. He is an internationally requested dj, whose productions and remixes are played by techno’s most prominent names. Being a resident at Berlin’s prime techno club Berghain since its opening in 2004 keeps him open-minded as both, dj and producer. His sound is constantly evolving without ever losing its vibrant, unique energy and the passion and heart he puts into his sets. His gigs are an audio-visual adventure where he is not only playing for the crowd but rather performing for and with them.
Even before his move to Berlin in 2003, Len Faki had the experience of managing two highly acclaimed techno labels, Monoid and Feis. These early years of fruitful productivity provided the necessary groundwork for the next big steps in his career. Upon his arrival in Berlin, it didn ́t take long until he became a resident-DJ in the newly opened Berghain – a match made in techno heaven and a monthly experience he wouldn ́t want to miss for anything. The characteristic extra long DJ-sets in his “living room” inspire him to vary in tone and fully roll out his style to explore and further deepen his mastery of turning a DJ-set into a bona fide musical journey.
In 2003 he founded his own label figure as a new platform to play out his eclectic and open-minded vision of techno music. At first an outlet for his own productions, figure developed into a well recognized, highly acclaimed label, releasing household names like Johannes Heil or Slam as well as upcoming producers like Markus Suckut, A.Mochi, Psyk and others. To support and believe in the success of upcoming artists was and always will be a matter close to Len’s heart and so the label is constantly scouting for fresh talent to develop and produce. Closing in on it’s 50th release, figure is setting a new standard for techno music that is equal parts versatile, exciting and cutting-edge. In 2006 Len founded the new label Podium with the intention to produce a short running series of EPs, featuring exclusive tracks from colleagues and friends alongside his own creations. From its initial release Podium found a sizeable fan base and has since gained cult status within the techno fraternity.
One year later, in 2007 he released the double A-side “Rainbow Delta/ Mekong Delta” on Ostgut Ton, which became one of the biggest anthems of the year and an instant techno classic, heavily supported by techno’s top DJs. The success and popularity of Mekong Delta brought a wave of attention to Faki, who answered with numerous, extremely successful follow-up tracks like “My Black Sheep“ or „Odyssee II”, which turned into massive club hits in 2007 and 2008, as well as “Death By House” for Sven Väth’s Cocoon label, a track, that ruled that year’s summer festivals and Ibiza’s annual debauchery. Thanks to his passionate performances, he got constant, top-notch rankings in a variety of popular music magazines. In Groove magazine’s reader poll at the end of 2007 he was voted to the top position in three categories like “Best Track” and “Best Producer” – a tremendous honor and triple status that no one had ever achieved before him.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Len ́s love for the infinite variety of electronic music resulted in founding figure spc in 2009. An authentic label, releasing techno music in all its facets, open minded and unconditional in its passion. Just like Podium before it, figure spc quickly found a huge fan base, who appreciate the label’s tidbits each time.
In spring 2009, another milestone in Len’s career was passed with the release of “Berghain 03” on Ostgut Ton, Len Faki’s first commercial mix-CD. Accompanied by two 12 inches with exclusive tracks from fellow producers like Radio Slave and Len himself, “Berghain 03” further reinforced his status as one of the most innovative and versatile techno DJs in the business who pairs a deep understanding of balancing stripped-down funkiness and modern techno sensibilities.
Since then Len has found more and more pleasure in editing tracks for his DJ- sets to create his own musical universe and further develop his unique sound on stage. Len Faki’s bone-dry but communicative execution style sets him apart as a true gentleman behind the turntables, an artist whose sets are based on raw passion and beauty, who uses his fingertips like sensors on a Richter scale, gauging, anticipating as well as triggering eruptions on the dance floor…
