For FJAAK, Sonus Festival is more than just another stop on the calendar; it’s a reunion that feels like home. This summer they once again turned the boat stage into a marathon of house, techno, and breakbeat, a raw exchange of energy that carried straight into their next big move: the release of REMIX02. The new record revisits tracks from FJAAK THE SYSTEM and lets them breathe anew through the vision of Robert Hood, Shed, and Argentina’s West Code, winner of their remix competition.
That sense of collaboration and openness is at the heart of the project. From euphoric Detroit grooves to Berlin’s hypnotic edge, REMIX02 spans generations of techno while leaving room for underground newcomers whose reworks prove how wide the FJAAK universe can stretch.
After Sonus, they described the surreal blur of sunsets, waves and sub-bass, and how it all connects to their roots. Every set, they said, is another story built in real time: no script, no fixed playlist, just the dialogue between their machines and the crowd. That improvisation is what links Berlin’s raw basements to the Adriatic coastline and what keeps FJAAK’s music alive.
Hello guys, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Last week you performed at Sonus Croatia. How did it feel being on stage there this time?
We’ve been performing at Sonus for several years now, and every return feels like coming home. There’s a real sense of family, and the boat stage in particular is a highlight. There’s no opener or closer, just us from start to finish. It gives us the freedom to express the full breadth of our sound and go through a full journey of house, techno, breakbeat and experimental directions, making the music a real exchange between us and the crowd.
And the morning after, how did you wake up after such an intense night? And where can we catch you right now?
We’re currently chilling on a quiet beach in a small, almost abandoned port town about an hour from the festival. We’re staying with a friend who lives nearby. It’s a peaceful spot to recharge, just a stone’s throw from the energy we brought the night before.
You also played one of the legendary Sonus boat parties. How was it performing surrounded by sea and sun, in such an intimate setting?
It was a perfect evening. Just the right temperature, a few clouds to make the sunset truly epic, and that magical slowness in time. We leaned into deep, warm, driven and positive music with everything from house to techno, letting the sun, the water, and of course the people shape the vibe. For us, it all blended perfectly with the surroundings, almost like the soundtrack to a deep dream (imagine some timeless Moodymann tune softly playing in the background).
What do you think makes Sonus stand out compared to other festivals you’ve played?
The venues and the team create such a personal, family atmosphere. And of course, we share that German connection with some of them, it’s familiar in the best way. Oddly enough, some of us were vacationing around here as kids, visiting waterfalls and exploring. So, playing here feels like a full-circle moment, tapping into a bit of nostalgia, tbh.
The REMIX02 record is out. How are you feeling?
We’re incredibly excited. These three remixes mean a lot to us. Having Robert Hood and Shed on board is a huge honour, as they’ve shaped and influenced us deeply. And Argentina's West Code, whose version came out of our remix contest, ended up being a standout among hundreds of entries we carefully listened to.
What was it like hearing your music reimagined through such different perspectives?
It was humbling to hear such diverse, talented interpretations. Some were drastically different, yet all brilliantly executed. We’re constantly amazed by how creative and skillful artists can reinvent our work from unexpected angles.
Do you see remix culture as a way of connecting generations in techno, from pioneers like Hood to fresh new producers making their mark?
Absolutely. Remix culture bridges eras, even linking legends with newcomers like we did back in the day with our 12” record FJAAK002. It’s this fluid dialogue across time and experience that keeps the scene evolving.
FJAAK THE SYSTEM already blurred the lines between jungle, breakbeat, techno, and more. Do you see REMIX02 as continuing that spirit of breaking boundaries?
Not entirely, but yes in parts. The more experimental remixes that we released digitally ourselves, continuing that spirit. The versions by Robert Hood and Shed are club-ready, definitely focused on dancefloor energy.
From the basement in Spandau to now, what feels most surreal about where you are today?
It still blows our minds to go from underground basement sessions to playing around the world. The journey’s surrealness comes from seeing how far raw passion and dedication can take you, and how it resonates across borders!
Berlin has always been at the heart of your identity. How much of the city still lives in your music, even after playing worldwide?
We were born and raised in Berlin, and the city will always be part of who we are. Berlin isn’t just our home; it’s the capital of electronic music, a place where the culture has shaped us from the very beginning. You can always hear the city’s influence in our productions, whether it’s in the raw energy, the underground spirit, or the drive to keep things innovative and true to ourselves. Even after playing all around the world, Berlin continues to live in every single beat we create.
You’ve built your reputation on refusing to stick to a single style of techno. Was that ever a conscious decision, or just the only way you knew how to create?
We don’t overthink it. We just make music. That openness and honesty have always been our recipe. And a lot of artists actually don’t do that; they just follow trends to get booked in certain clubs. That bores us, and to be honest, we even find it a bit embarrassing.
Your live act is hardware-driven, raw, and unpredictable. Do you still discover new tricks on your machines, or is it more about how you use them in the moment?
We constantly evolve and adapt our setup, which makes it a fluid and dynamic process. In fact, we’ve never performed with the same configuration for more than a year. There’s always something fresh in both the studio and on stage. Additionally, we find that we use our machines in slightly different ways each time, which allows us to discover new sounds and surprises during our jams in every session.
What does a day in the studio usually look like when you’re not on the road? Do you prefer marathon sessions or short, focused bursts of creativity?
We do both. Sometimes we dive deep for hours or even days, losing track of time. Other times it’s sharp, focused bursts where everything clicks in just a few minutes. Y'all never know!
A year ago, we talked https://metalmagazine.eu/en/post/fjaak-hustle about Hustle, which explores deeper themes of identity. Looking back, how does that track fit in your evolution today? How does revisiting older work like that influence your new music?
Hustle marked a pivotal moment, both sonically and personally. Revisiting it reminds us where our journey began and helps inform how we approach new work, with enough confidence, perspective, and, of course, depth.
Spandau20 is hitting the road through Offenbach, Strasbourg, Brussels, Vienna, and Berlin. What excites you most about bringing the label’s community to new stages?
It’s all about the vibe. Each night is curated almost like an art gallery. The music usually blends so seamlessly, all the artists bring their part & respect that. Everyone plays their part in creating something cohesive and meaningful. It’s a curated, communal energy that feels really special.
How do you see Spandau20, more as a family, a collective, or an open platform for ideas?
All of the above and more. It’s a creative ecosystem: family, collective, open laboratory, and beyond.
Do you think of yourselves as storytellers when you play?
Absolutely. We consider ourselves storytellers, even without words. Each set unfolds and takes the audience on a journey that we create together with the crowd. We improvise during our performances and never prepare fixed track selections; instead, we read the energy of the audience and craft the story spontaneously. The experiences are conveyed through rhythm, texture, and pulse, allowing us to forge a deeper connection with the ravers/dancers on the floor.
Outside the studio, what inspires you, from films and books to daily life, that ends up seeping into your productions?
Everything inspires us. We draw from a wide array of influences, including ambient sounds encountered in our daily lives and surroundings. We're always recording the sounds around us while we travel, and these recordings often find their way into the layers of our tracks. Additionally, our music reflects the energy and societal dynamics that surround us. Whether it's the vibe of a city, a moment in nature, or the collective emotions of the people we encounter, all of these elements seep into our productions and contribute to the story we tell through our sound.
If you had to sum up the essence of FJAAK right now in just three words?
How about: “raw, pure, Berlin”. Real and grounded, but ever changing. Or stick with your cheeky favorite: “real Berlin techno”.
And what can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
We have a lot of exciting music in the pipes for the Spandau20, Crowd, and our FJAAK label. We’re currently finalising our next album, which we've been working on for the past two years, and it’s set to be released next year. This album is our biggest and most personal project yet, reflecting the significant growth we've experienced since our last album. In addition to the album, we’re preparing for several major label showcases at the end of this year!
