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If you were born in 1971, to Central European and very communist parents, you might also end up carrying a romantic Russian name. I spent my childhood among party meetings at home, peace marches, and festivals of Unity with related booths. Childhood was very formative and at 18, my Central European parents didn’t send me away from home, but they only provided room and board, so I had to fend for myself for everything else.
In the summer of 1989, I started my first season as a bartender in Riccione and moved there, not knowing much about being at the center, in the heart of Italian nightlife.
During my first free evening, friends took me to Ethos Mama Club, and here I am to tell you its story!
“Gianluca Tantini, then a concert organizer, decided to dive into a new adventure and open Ethos Mama Club in Gabicce, calling upon the best the market had to offer, Flavio Vecchi as Resident DJ. The winter season of '87 began with great fanfare and for four years, Ethos was the first club in Italy where people listened to and danced to something revolutionary: - Chicago Traxx, Techno Detroit, and Deep House. In '89, then, the extension of this wonderful evening opens, the night owls no longer wanted to just dance until 5, they wanted to cross the night to reach dawn: Vae Victis was born, and another sacred monster of the music scene, Ricky Montanari, was spinning records. A new concept of weekend, a blend of style, charisma, and innovation concentrated in the music of first Flavio and then Ricky”
It's in this habitat that friends would catapult me into after work every Saturday. The first time I knew nothing about nightclub looks, so I wore a simple mini skirt and a pair of ballet flats. In the morning, I was also taken to Vae Victis! Before going to the after party, a friend equipped me with heels she had brought as a backup. The next time, I already had the right look. Ethos had a strict selection process outside. I met people from all over Italy; it was a magical period in my life.
I spent five years in Romagna and did everything, from filling the dance floor, to PR, from waiting tables to bartending, and above all, I earned enough to furnish part of the house when I got married.
Now when I got engaged in 1995, my clubbing husband and I decided to stop dancing and start a family life since we both had solid and serious jobs.
Today I find myself working in a very young environment. In the offices and at parties, Techno reigns supreme, and here I am reviewing another DJ and another DJ Set. Of course, the techno I grew up with is a great love of mine, and at the first notes, I can't keep my legs still, as is happening now while I write with the DJ Set playing.
This time I'm talking about Paul Kalkbrenner, whom I adore. Originally from Berlin, he has been playing since 1992, and in 1999 he followed the record label BpitchControl. It is for this label that he produces his current eight records.
The DJ set in question takes place at Tomorrowland in 2018. The heat seems unbearable, everyone is dancing under umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. Paul, on the other hand, is there dressed in black and barefoot, between a cigarette and a sip of beer, with an almost pained expression, he rolls out all of his well-known tracks. Paul’s techno is very fluid, leaving you that breath of fresh air that allows you to dance even with your eyes closed. No peaks, no exaggerations. Let’s say I play this DJ set to relax.
In 2008, he had enormous success with the autobiographical film “Berlin Calling,” where he manages to “soften” through his path obviously troubled by the use and abuse of alcohol and substances. The film talks a lot about personality disorders, which are very dear to me. It's hard to imagine the tragedy behind such dissolute and lonely lives.
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