Terminal V Podcast 087 || AFEM SYKO

 

 

 

 

 

You grew up in a small German town, and your first love was hip-hop. How did you move into techno? Which labels, parties, and artists excited you?

 
My first memory with techno happened in my childhood when I heard Played-A-Live by Safri Duo. It wasn’t exactly techno – more tribal and percussive kind of EDM – but the four-to-the-floor rhythm hit me in a way I didn’t understand back then. I even built my own bongo drums in school and would drum along to that track on repeat for hours, feeling this strange, raw energy.
 
Later, my older cousins in Poland introduced me to trance, which I also really enjoyed, but hip-hop was still my main thing during my teenage years. Everything changed when I went to my first techno event, which i did not want to attend in the first place. But once I was there, I didn’t need to think about whether I liked it or not. I just felt it. It was like love at first sight, one of those moments that flips everything upside down.
 
 

What do you love about techno? Why is it the right medium for you creatively? How do you make your sound your own?

 
There are so many things I love about techno, but if I had to pick one, it’s the energy – the way it moves through my body and mind, almost like a superpower.
 
I’ve never been someone who loves to speak, especially in public. Expressing myself with words was always difficult, which, let’s be honest, doesn’t make for a great rapper. That’s why DJing and producing are perfect for me – I can communicate everything I feel without having to talk.
 
This might sound crazy to some, but I believe that the sounds choose you. As an artist, you’re just the medium that transforms ideas into something real. For me, it’s all about getting into a flow state. That’s when the best ideas come – when the music almost produces itself. Especially being a little tired even helps sometimes because it boosts creativity (i think there’s even a scientific explanation for this). Producers will know what I mean – it’s those moments when the track just happens rather than feeling forced.
 
 

As a DJ, what’s your style? Do you want to put people in a trance, bring fun to your sets, or introduce new sounds?

 
Probably a mix of all of the above. I overthink everything else in life, but with music, I just trust the process and my taste. So i stop thinking and want to pull people into my world, the way i hear music, and have fun with it. Techno doesn’t have to be dark and serious – I love to smile, laugh, and share that energy during my sets.
 
Of course, I can drag a crowd with big, high-energy tracks, but more than that i love highlighting the beauty of subtler, more intricate sounds. I’m obsessed with the little details – those ear candies that you sometimes catch after hearing a track for the 20th time. My goal is to point them out duringa set, so people feel them right away.
 
 

You did a lot of boxing before music. Who’s your favorite fighter, and which of their fights have you enjoyed most?

 
Haha, you really did your research. I wasn’t too much into watching sports back then, but I admired Remy Bonjasky. He was slick, skilled, always smiling and carried himself with class. His flying knee kick gave him the name The Flying Dutchman, and I always wanted to be a fighter like him.
 
These days, I watch MMA now and then – Sean O’Malley, Max Holloway, and Joanna Jędrzejczyk are some of my favorites. All of them very positive and happy people as far as i can tell. I know MMA seems brutal to people who haven’t trained combat sports, but it’s actually statistically less dangerous than boxing in terms of injuries and death. I just love the fact that for 20 minutes, two people are trying to take each other out, but as soon as the fight ends, they hug, cry, and show nothing but respect. It’s raw and real, and I admire that.
 
 

Your style stands out from the usual all-black techno aesthetic. What’s your take on fashion and individuality in the scene?

 
I don’t dress to be different – I just wear what I like. No one is truly unique – i think we’re all shaped by the people surrounding us and the ones we look up to. I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with outfits, even as a kid, pushing my parents nerves with what was “acceptable” to wear. Some funny examples of that are also captured on photos. 
 
There are so many colors and ways to mix and match pieces. I love how they interact with hair, skin tone, and eye color. If I could, I’d wear a new outfit every day – but that’s not exactly sustainable. That’s why I love second-hand clothes and upcycling, cutting and distressing old pieces to make them fresh again.
 
At the end of the day, I just wear what makes me feel good. If all-black makes you feel good, then that’s perfect.
 
 

Tell us about your mix – what was your aim, and what did you want it to say?

 
Recording at home is always a challenge for me because I feed off the audience’s energy. I don’t need to be the center of attention, but I need that build-up of energy around me. So, before I hit record, I spend time getting into the right mindset, just playing music until I find the flow.
 
For this mix, I simply wanted to showcase the tracks and vibe I love at the moment. I didn’t overthink whether it was too hard or soft, just focused on keeping it coherent – like a well-curated box of candy.
 
 

What gear did you use? Is it important to you, both in the booth and in the studio?

 
Absolutely. I try to have the same setup at home as in the club so I don’t have to think about what I’m doing – it’s all muscle memory. The more familiar the setup, the more I can focus on translating my vision into sound.
 
I’m in love with the CDJ-3000. I thought the 2000NXS2 were already perfect, but after some time, the 3000 just feels more fluid and responsive. I also tested the V10 mixer, but I keep going back to the Xone – it just feels and sound so much smoother and accurate.
 
I don’t use a lot of effects, but I do love my Strymon Blue Sky reverb. It helps blend transitions seamlessly and adds depth to build-ups.
 
 

What are you working on for the rest of the year?

 
Right now, I’m fully focused on producing and releasing new music that feels true to me. The biggest change this year is my mindset – I feel at peace, less pressured, and I’m truly enjoying the process.
 
I’m also collaborating a lot more, which is new for me. I used to be more of a lone wolf, but sharing ideas with other producers and vocalists has been really inspiring. It’s helping me grow in ways I never expected. So stay tuned for the upcoming tracks. I can’t wait to share them with you.
 
Written By Kristan J Caryl