Clubbing was in its infancy when Berlin-born Monika Kruse began her first residency at the Babalu bar in Munich, where she grew up. Classically trained in piano from the age of four, Monika has always had a love of music and her early sets spanned hip hop, funk, soul and early deep and vocal house. This new breed of electronic music seized Monika’s soul and imagination. Dance music was in its infancy and since there were few clubs where you could play techno she threw her own parties in illegal venues ranging from World War II bunkers to trams to empty houses. Fortunately the police were a little behind the musical curve… “I had some funny experiences,” she recalls, “But nice ones! They stopped us once in a tram because they thought the smoke machine was a fire!” On another occasion, they came and asked her to turn down the bass so the house they were playing in wouldn’t crumble. “Luckily, they didn’t have a clue about techno!” 
	
Monika Kruse's star is shining brighter than ever with a global fan-base hungry for her irresistible beats. In 2014 her club appearances included Space Ibiza with Carl Cox, Amnesia Ibiza with Marco Carola, We Love... at Space Ibiza, Sankeys Ibiza, Egg London and regular sets for her residency at Berghain Berlin.

She dazzled the festivals, too, playing events such as Time Warp, Melt Festival, 18 Hour Festival, Eastern Electrics UK, Ultra Music Festival in Miami and South America, Sonus Croatia, Awakenings ADE, and SEMF Stuttgart. She also hosted a stage at Amsterdam's Edit Festival, showcasing some of her favourite artists such as Pig & Dan, Nick Curly and Miss Kittin.
Classically trained in piano, Monika's love of music is broad and deep. She grew up buying records, accumulating a music collection that grew to span funk, soul, hip hop, and house music. When the revolutionary rhythms coming out of Chicago and Detroit captured her imagination it led her to throw parties in illegal venues including World War II bunkers, trams and empty houses.

Electronic music culture has evolved rapidly since those early days but Monika's talent and passion is constant. “My ethos is ‘sweat with a smile,’” she says. “I give love to my audience and they give it back. LOVE – it’s the best thing in the world. My aim is to help people forget whatever is going on in their life and have a little holiday – just get lost in my music.”
Monika is also an active producer. Her Terminal M label celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2015 and she chalked up hits this year with Pig & Dan collaboration 'Soulstice', a Beatport Top 10 techno anthem. The fantastic remix package of 'Summer Drops' was also a Beatport chart favourite, featuring Monika's track reworked by Nicole Moudaber, Uner, and Mendo. With just two releases Monika was one of Beatport's Top 100 techno artists for 2014. Look out for the special re-release of the album Monika Kruse @ Voodooamt 'Passengers' in celebration of Terminal M's 15th birthday.

Monika’s passion for spreading the love extends beyond the dancefloor, too. In 2000 she founded a charity called No Historical Backspin to fight racism and homophobia. “It’s sad and ridiculous that people still get beat up, or in some countries even killed, for being gay. Or get treated badly because of their skin colour, or gender, or because they’re a refugee” she says. “But it happens. Sharing and caring is the only way to make the world a safe place for everyone. It is important for DJs to show they respect everyone.” She is currently organising a No Historical Backspin party at Berghain. Funds raised will go to Amadeu Antonio Stiftung, which supports victims of hate-crimes and campaigns against right-wing extremism.
Her charity work, like her DJing and production, is an expression of Monika’s faith in the transforming power of music. “It was my first love,” she says. “Music was my best friend. It never let me down. In good times music was there and in bad times music was there.”

Bookings : ian@safehousemanagement.com

''Imagination'' is out now! 🙏🏻
fk.fanlink.to/imagination

There is no doubt, artists generate – especially in our scene - hypes occur again and again. Be it a good track or an unforgettable DJ-Set. However, these come and go as quickly as they have emerged. And there is also something happening in this scene, which is quite apparent: It happens relatively fast. In Germany, the motherland of the electronic music, an artist has seldom managed to infringe at the same time upon such widely spread generations and masses. It is not by coincidence, that ideas like „German Techno Master“ (DJ Mag) or countless first grade placings originate in the process of the scene votings. Meanwhile one can also hardly keep up counting his fanclubs, who welcome him with frenetic exultation spreading across the entire republic and far beyond.

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Booking Worldwide
ask@bcbfamily.com

DJ TONKA

"Put Your Hands Up In The Air - Put Your Hands Up In The Air" is just one of the many battle cries that defines the DJ TONKA brand. Growing up in a family of artists & Jazz musicians and being strongly influenced by the New Wave sound that dominated the 80s, it was the German Thomas-René Gerlach who threw the first internationally recognized House plates on the market. With the release of “Feel“, "Flashback“ and "Phun-ky" on the U.S. label Force Inc. he created a new genre along the way: the cut-up disco, from which later the offshoot French House developed.

"You're A Legend" were Axwell's words, when the two met for the first time - where else, but in a DJ booth. Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim expressed this at a common set in Brighton by a spontaneous genuflection. It was Daft Punk who were inspired by DJ TONKA's distinctive melodies influencing their hit "Around The World". They even paid homage to him by name dropping in the track "Teachers" from their debut album "Homework".

Each of DJ Tonka’s publications is a timeless piece of House music. His remixes for Salt 'N' Pepa, Bootsy Collins, The B52's, Dominica or Robin S. became the major label’s radio versions and were even used in video clips for tracks broadcasted on MTV and VIVA in heavy rotation. With his musical all purpose weapons Disco and Piano House - mixed with a bit of Nu & Italo Disco, 80's Funk, and a pinch of Tech & Electro House - he makes sure every party is equally exciting and memorable. Always equipped with the latest promos and his own unreleased re-edits, there are not many DJ’s who can keep up with TONKA.

After Uplifting and Vivienne Records, where once the house chart-breakers "She Knows You" and „Don’t Be Afraid (To Let Yourself Go)" were released, it is time for DJ TONKA to launch his latest imprint TONKA TUNES. Here he will finally bring out his long time treasured back catalogue digitally remastered and brand new material from fellow artists and the label head itself. His recent musical highlights are the remixes for Medina "Forever", Ellie Goulding "Guns & Horses", Laserkraft 3D "Vacation", Arty “Around The World” and The Disco Boys "Around The World" which deliver a pure DJ TONKA trademark sound - energetic and upbeat, danceable and catchy, but at the same time fresh and timeless. 

Night by night, Thomas creates in his DJ sets an extremely recognizable mix that consists of numerous musical facets. It is about time that Deep House gives way to the real champion of the dance floor: the Uplifting House. . .  and in regards to DJ TONKA: “The Master”!

38-year old music producer/DJ from Osnabrück, Germany. I’ll let my music tell you the rest.

Management:
SDM
Stefan Dabruck Management
stefan@s-d-management.com
frank@s-d-management.com

Bookings:
World - CAA
Maria May
maria.may@caa.com
Jennifer Hammel
jennifer.hammel@caa.com

Atimo.World Electronic Musikscientist in Love with Techno

Carmen Breninek is following