Crue

When one could assume, &ME entered the House and Techno world somewhat out of the blue, it is due to his sublime modesty that’s already captured in his alias. His way to become one of today’s most praised and sought after DJ/producers is based on a solid foundation. A foundation comprised of solo-releases, remixes, projects and collaborations that numerous, we’d rather refer to his discography than weary you with namedropping. Besides, all those references would just distract from what truly matters - the music this guy is delivering.

There are not many artists around turning in such a slew of globally praised floormaterial like &ME did over the last years. Just think of his last offerings on Keinemusik, a collective of Berlin based DJs and producers, including Rampa, Adam Port and Reznik, he helped founding in 2009 or his “What To Do”-remix for Guy Gerber - all serious bangers, played by every renowned DJ worldwide. Everything is falling into place for the fella. His DIY-approach to handle things, his easy going attitude, his reputation as a gifted producer and DJ extraordinaire, his ability to link innovative production with consensual reception, making him one of the most unique and original figures in the game.

When reviewing Adam Port’s musical merits at this point in time, it shows that most of it took shape off the beaten path. Be it the conditions that sparked his DJ-career. Be it his approach of DJing itself or be it his artistic progression, manifested in his productions.

Over the last years, Adam landed a string of much noticed releases on different labels, be it on Keinemusik, his Berlin-based label-mainstay and collective of fellow artists &ME, Rampa and Reznik. Or be it on imprints like Freerange, Pets, Cocoon, Moon Harbour etc. It’s been tunes that immediately brought worldwide attention to his name. But then, instead of doing the obvious, getting a management, meeting demands, playing those big stages, delivering the hits, Adam once again did what felt best for him. Maintaining artistic integrity, releasing records that reflect where his love for music is at in one moment, not knowing where it might be on the very next release, and keeping DJ-sets not only interesting for a crowd, but also himself.

That’s where he is at right now. There’s no scene-dictated tunnel view in his activities, there is only a pointed emphasis on style, on groove and sophistication. An emphasis, that, because it’s informed by Dub, Danchall, Rap, Soul or even Psychedelic Rock, is advanced enough to always shine through the inflationary characteristic of the genre as notably original.

Granted: What Adam Port is laying his hands on might have its place within the parameters of House and Techno, but it’s always more than that. It’s his style.

It was in 2009, a couple of years after relocating to Berlin, when Reznik teamed up with Adam Port, &ME, Rampa and former members David Mayer and Monja Gentschow and the whole Keinemusik story unfolded. At some point, he took care of the KM labelmanagement for a couple of years.

In 2019 he started a collaborative project with his old companion Good Guy Mikesh with key releases on Keinemusik, Permanent Vacation, Razor-N-Tape or Correspondant. Also, he’s been on remix duties for people like Moby, Tiga & Hudson Mohawke, Beacon or Whitesquare. Another recent and somewhat significant tune was “Cloudy Eyes” - a joint effort with Jesse Boykins III, released on VOD.

He strives for DJ sets that draw on groove and emotion, sets that spin an array of his musical influences into the thread of contemporary House music, sets that balance out captivating flow with the element of surprise. Main thing is that it moves you.

Itohan started editing videos for a school project when she was 14 - and never really stopped. Having multiple creative outlets has been her thing since childhood and that also never really changed.

While getting a degree in a completely unrelated field, she joined her hometown’s creative scene and found people who liked her d-i-y aesthetic. That includes Rampa, who asked her to join the team’s visual department in 2023.

Itohan strives for a continuous development in her expression. Overwhelming, fast paced or odd-looking edits, internet finds, analogue scans and digital collage-ing and many other miscellaneous endeavors are used as her current outlet - Keinemusik is a pretty fitting playground for that.

Public Possession was founded in 2012 by Valentino Betz and Marvin Schuhmann as an outlet to channel their various interests. The idea was to emphasise the relationship between music, text, graphic design, and happenings. 

This process is a continuous stream, constantly evolving. The record label and shop (physical & online) were added in 2013. Since then, both give a platform to various artists from around the globe. 

The effort of Public Possession is driven by the fun of creation and an urge to combine data - to create news. 

Its output is variable and includes commissioned work for clients from the field of culture and business as well as original work shown in various exhibitions and self organised events. 

Today, Public Possession is a group of people, continuing with the above, having fun whilst trying to make things work.