Rødhåd
Rødhåd
VAULT SESSIONS BLOG SERIES
Behind the Decks ALL NIGHT: Rødhåd’S Secrets to THRIVING AND SURVIVING During Marathon Sets
(Cle FW Photography)
As we gear up for our all nighter with Rødhåd on Friday 22nd November, we were keen to uncover how he approaches these skilfull yet demanding sessions. We had a chat with Rødhåd about his strategies and rituals before, during and after such extended performances.
(Cle FW Photography)
What’s more intense - 7 hours of DJing or 7 hours of live performing and why?
I think performing live improvised music is a bit more challenging for me as you have to come up with new musical ideas all the time. With the long jams I attended there was always room to take a break in between, sit down for a few minutes and chill a bit. For the DJ sets it’s a bit easier for me. At some point when I get in to the flow I don’t really have to think and just have to select the music and mix it together. That works automatically at some point.
(Cle FW Photography)
I think my longest was 12 hours at Berghain some years ago before the pandemic when the closing was more or less an open end set. Usually I try to get a little nap before the set if that's possible. I prepare my music for the different phases with playlist. There is a list for the beginning with more ambient stuff, a list with slow groovers to start with moving on to the peak time stuff and a folder with deeper, mellow tracks for the ending. Usually I put more effort in the beginning and ending with the pre-selection and just go with the flow in the middle part.
The longest set we know you played was 11.5 hours at Bassiani, how did you prepare for that? Do you have to readjust your sleep schedule in advance? If so, how?
(Cle FW Photography)
Do you get hungry during long sets? What is your ultimate mid-set snack? Several options is possible ;)
I try to eat well before a long set but if i get hungry i have some bananas on the rider. They are easy to eat and have lot’s of magnesium inside. I also had some pizza during long sets. I love to have a cappuccino every now and then.
I usually wear some sports shoes but to be honest i feel very comfortable playing without shoes during long sets. So if the booth is not to messed up - no shoes needed.
What’s the best shoe to wear during extended sets to be extra comfortable?
(Cle FW Photography)
How do you avoid the ‘bathroom emergency’ when you’re locked in for hours behind the decks?
Well if you have to go you got to go. At Berghain the toilet is close to the booth but if need more time I would go with Ø [Phase] - Boundary Interactions that would give me more than 17 minutes to do the business.
(Cle FW Photography)
Do your family and friends normally attend your gigs? If you only had 1 guest list spot, who would it go to?
My girlfriend is attending whenever it's possible. She would have that one guestlist. I also have friends coming over whenever they can but most of them have kids already, have to work during the week and enjoy the family life. So it's getting more rare. I also took my mother on several tours already. We have been to Australia, Asia, North and South America. She has seen me at Berghain on various occasions and is still joining when she has the time to do so.
(Cle FW Photography)
Are you more of the “Gotta hit the afters” type or “Get me straight to sleep” type? Has this changed over the years? ;)
Get me straight to the bed please. I never really was the afterhours guy to be honest. When I was a young raver we had some funny afternoons after the club but I always enjoyed to get into my cosy bed after a long night out.
With the touring schedule I usually have it’s also not really possible. Sometimes I have to go to the airport straight from the club. I really need my sleep and have perfected the short sleep schedule over the years.
