Kalif uses many different terms to describe music: escapism, emotion, roots… Read Full Bio ↴Kalif uses many different terms to describe music: escapism, emotion, roots, communication. These are ideas which have coloured his taste in music and his own distinctive sound since he started out DJing in Brazil in 1996. Even then techno was No. 1, and he was becoming known for his banging techno sets when he won his first residency at the Deguste Jungle Bar where he played deeper, and more atmospheric tunes. The clubbing scene in Brazil was dominated by House and Drum and Bass at that time, so he decided to move to Ireland.

In late 1998, when Kalif arrived in Dublin, techno was just coming of age. It didnt take him long to find his feet and he got invited by Derek F to play at the legendary Fusion warehouse parties. Since then, he has played all over Ireland, and in France, and in Brazil. A regular on the clubbing scene in Dublin, he has spun at Switch, The Kitchen, The Metropolitan (Electric city), The Temple Bar Music Centre, Isaac Butts, Wax, as well as free parties and outdoor raves. He became even better-known in France, at clubs like Le Rex Club, La Batofar, La Vila, La Pacha, amongst others. Venues he has played in Brazil include Bunker 94, Lov.e Club and Broadway.

He has DJed alongside an impressive list of international DJs, including Umek, Chris Liberator, Claude Young, Marco Bailey, Ben Sims, G-Force, Cari Lekebusch, Mistress Barbara, Tonio, Mark Williams, Christian Smith, DJ Marky and Renato Cohen. Kalif aims to play tunes that wake people up, and open their ears, open their minds. He brings together both driving, stomping techno and funky lyrical melodies, overlaying them in a way that is never predictable, although the tunes may be familiar. There is a sense of mad energy that is almost tribal in Kalif..s sound. He recalls the first time he played his track Deep Thoughts at Dalkey beach in Ireland. The first four minutes of this track are an ambient soundscape, but when the hardcore beats kicked in, the crowd erupted.

When asked about the future of music, he said that it is in the hands of the real music lovers. He is critical of the hype that surrounds the music scene and of the politics that sometimes drives it. As he says it should all be about the music, not the image For him a good night is one where the music takes over, where you can feel the vibration of sound all around.

And the future for Kalif? He usually goes with the flow in life. He is now based in Rio de Janeiro, where he finds the lack of techno frustrating, although it is a fantastic city in all other respects.

words: Sarah Pachonick