How do you prepare for a set? Do you have any rituals?
Interview with Retter
I started as a big fan of rock, punk, and metal — my father introduced me to this, and that young rebellion resonated a lot with those sounds. It was like light in my innocent darkness. Around the age of 12, I discovered cheesy electronica, and after becoming obsessed, I got my first controller. Like a proper teenager, I left it behind shortly after. It wasn’t until I was around 17 that I went to a techno club in Bogotá called Klan, and that experience hit me so hard I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.
As for tracks, there are too many; it would feel wrong to choose just one.
I like to get some fresh air, do a bit of breathwork to focus, and, just before starting, have a cigarette and a whiskey on the rocks.
Do you ever get lost in the music while performing? Can you describe that moment?
When I perform, it’s one of those rare moments where I’m fully living in the present. It’s my greatest therapy.
How would you describe your sound in one sentence or one word?
Introspective.
Was there a specific track or performance that made you say, “This is what I want to do with my life?”
I get that feeling easily, haha — but just to name a few:
– Aphex Twin’s concert in London,
– Objekt's all-night-long sets at Wormhole in OHM.
– Aphex Twin’s concert in London,
– Objekt's all-night-long sets at Wormhole in OHM.
Who were the artists, sounds, or moments that shaped your early musical taste?
Artists such as The Beatles, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Sex Pistols, The Cure, Nirvana, Soda Stereo, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Jeff Mills, and Oscar Mulero have all influenced me.
There are so many influences that it’s hard to sum them up, but in my early stages, the first things that come to mind are rock, punk, post-punk, grunge, metal, and techno.
Where do you see Retter’s sound evolving in the next five years?
I don't want to limit myself to any genre. I’ll follow whatever feels right at the moment.
Do you have a “musical guilty pleasure” track that never makes it into your sets?
Lately, since my last trip to Puerto Rico, I’ve reconnected with reggaeton, hahaha.
Tamo activo. El Alfa - Helicóptero. Also, one of my many sadboy romantic songs.
Tamo activo. El Alfa - Helicóptero. Also, one of my many sadboy romantic songs.
If Retter wasn’t a DJ, what do you think you’d be doing right now?
Being an actor.
If you could collaborate with any artist (living or dead) without limits, who would it be, and why?
I'll have to name three:
– Thom Yorke for his melancholic sensitivity,
– Objekt for his brilliant attention to detail and eclectic vision,
– Gustavo Cerati, the ultimate romantic Latin American rockstar.
– Thom Yorke for his melancholic sensitivity,
– Objekt for his brilliant attention to detail and eclectic vision,
– Gustavo Cerati, the ultimate romantic Latin American rockstar.
Are there any dream venues or festivals you’d love to play someday?
Waking Life, Berghain, Tunnel Pereira.
What’s the ultimate feeling you hope people get when listening to your music?
I hope to transmit the same emotion I feel when I play — being absolutely in the present.
Can you share a memorable moment from a set that still makes you smile?
When I played for the first time at Videoclub and saw both my parents and old friends there.
When I played at OHM with 2001.
Técnica parties.
When I played at OHM with 2001.
Técnica parties.
How do you read a crowd and decide which direction to take your set?
It really depends on the slot, the party, and my mood. I usually prefer to start gently — weird and trippy — with something that challenges the crowd, then build from there depending on whether the room needs more energy or something more driving. It can also go the other way around, where I start with high energy and gradually take things down if it feels like too much.
Since that moment, music has always had a strong impact on me. I learned a bit of guitar, though I always wanted to play drums. Later in school, the only thing that kept me going was the band.
Tell us about your trio, 2001 Space Odyssey. How do you navigate improvisation while staying in sync?
I love the boyz, and this project is by far one of my biggest inspirations. We’ve been playing together and sharing a beautiful friendship for some years now. We know each other’s tastes and impulses very well, haha.
How did your musical journey begin, and what was the spark that pulled you into electronic music?
My journey with music began with my earliest memories. My mother’s family has a strong musical background. One of my first memories is putting my head into the amp while my uncle played his electric guitar and feeling that euphoric sensation I still experience today.
In the end, music speaks for itself.
You can make the best music in the world, play 30 instruments, sell out events, DJ with 10 channels or whatever — but what I admire most is passion, empathy, and humility.
How did organizing Técnica during the pandemic change your perspective on music, community, and creativity?
Being a promoter and label manager taught me a lot about how this industry works. It reaffirmed the values I want to uphold.
Berlin’s underground scene is legendary. What do you think makes it so magnetic for artists like you?
I believe Berlin is a city that pushes you to the extreme of self-knowledge. It allows you to be whoever you want — it’s a true privilege.
about the Inspirations & Performance
Collaboration & Community
Personal Insights & Fun Questions
