DT 500 MAG: -… so the rave culture had come, bam!

KRISTINA: -Yes! Electronic music, it began with rave culture in the ’90s. I started going to raves when I left home for college. Then in 1997, I went to a DVS1 party in downtown Minneapolis that changed my life forever. Something magical happened that night; I discovered the “dance” in electronic music. I was hooked. From that day forward, I never looked back, and I have been on thousands of dance floors since with the top DJs from around the world. The names of people who have influenced me since that experience would go on for days. Here is a short list of names that come to mind from those early years Halo, Hipp-e, Dubtribe, Mark Farina, Heather, Jeno, Garth, Scott Hardkiss, Dj Dan, Doc Martin, Dj Funk, Roy Davis Jr., Underworld, Orbital, The Orb, Timewriter, and of course Frankie. Quite a diverse group of names.

DT 500 MAG: – How was raving at West Coast then?

KRISTINA: –In 1999, I moved to Los Angeles and continued to be influenced by the creators and players of quality House music. I never was one for names or labels; I was purely involved in doing what I loved more than words can describe, dance. Dancing to House music was, and still simply is, my reality, so the music effortlessly surrounds me and inspires me everywhere I go. I am lucky that way.

DT 500 MAG: -What is the sound of DELLA?

KRISTINA: – DELLA is my solo project with a strong focus on DJing. There are some ideas I would like to play around with in the studio, and I have been asked to do some vocal collaborations with people I really admire, so we will see what comes out of that. For the moment, though, I am focusing on DJing. This is my second love following dancing. I love playing records that make me want to dance, and I love getting people to dance to them with me. I don’t know how to categorize my sound as a style or into one music genre, but I play mostly House and Techno.

DT 500 MAG: -What is so special about House music?

KRISTINA: – House music isn’t an art form; it is what it is, House. And you either get it or you don’t. It is not a style; it is a lifestyle. Once you’re in, you are in for good. Like Eddie Amador said, “Not everyone understands House music; it’s a spiritual thing, a soul thing, a body thing.”That’s simply the truth. Favourite type of House? House is House. If you need a better description than that, take a listen to Kerri Chandler’s track “House is House.” My philosophy on House? For me, it is the purest form of love projected through a 4×4 beat and vibration. It beats to the rhythm of our hearts, and our hearts beat to the rhythm of the music. It is also a community that brings all people together. All the borders and barriers that divide us are removed. This is freedom.

DT 500 MAG: – We heard you are going solo?

KRISTINA: – Yes, I was in a duo No Dial Tone, and we had a successful 10 years together with releases on labels like Classic Music Company, Twirl, Leftroom, Faceless, and Cimelde Records. But now, where my partner, Vibeke Bruff, and I are currently in our lives, the paths are moving in separate directions, and we have decided to follow these private roads. 

DT 500 MAG: – Who is your listener?

KRISTINA: – My listener is anyone who already has, or wants to develop, an understanding of quality dance music. They are anyone who wants to get showered with positive, good vibes through music. I don’t expect them to expect anything from me except for having a genuinely good time at the party and on the dance floor.

DT 500 MAG: – You are working with vocals, too; how do you find a vocal to match the music, especially in House? 

KRISTINA: – Yes, I do work with vocals. I sometimes do live vocal improvisation over my DJ sets. When I do this, I have a stronger connection between the audience and myself. That is what I strive for, having the audience and myself feel like one in the music. When it comes to production, I have this same approach; I just let the track roll and sing or say whatever comes to mind in the mic. Once recorded, it is clipped and edited to fit into the arrangement. I love vocal House music, so they fit perfectly together. Some people don’t like vocals in dance music, which is just a preference for one’s taste. These people might see vocals as an enemy, but I prefer a little vocal here and there in DJ sets or in-house tracks. This also goes hand in hand with being a vocalist; I love to sing along to my favourite songs.

DT 500 MAG: – Is there something familiar between techno and classical music?

KRISTINA: – Honestly, I am not the right person to ask about this, as Classical music is something I appreciate but do not have much knowledge of. But yes, the two have something in common. Take Mozart, for example; he was an innovative composer who pushed the boundaries regarding his music. Just like what Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins, or DerrickMay did when they started pushing boundaries and creating techno.

DT 500 MAG: -What are your judging criteria as a Dance Conductor?

KRISTINA: –Ha-ha, I am the DJ, meaning I am the conductor of the dance floor, aka Dance Conductor. 

DT 500 MAG: – DELLA’s TOP 3 most listened to songs on iPhone?