German techno DJ/producer Helena Hauff is riding the crest of a wave right now. An analogue freak signed to Ninja Tune-affiliate label Werkdiscs, she was just signed up by BBC Radio 1 for a residency, and has been rocking all over with her killer vinyl-only DJ sets.
Born and raised in Germany’s second largest city, Hamburg, Hauff’s journey from bedroom tinkerer to techno’s A-list has been convoluted — she’s tried her hand as a fine artist and a physicist too. After both fell through, she’s pursued a life as a DJ/producer solidly and successfully for the best part of a decade, touring at weekends and returning home to jam-out in a haven of twisted wires and discontinued drum machines during the week.
Her studio has one foot in the past, but her music — rough, acerbic, unapologetic — sounds like it’s come from a dark future. Her DJ sets are just as dynamic; expect ‘90s acid anthems mixed with post-punk off-cuts and noisy EBM when Helena’s at the helm. Her skills as a selector haven’t gone unnoticed: as we said, in fact, she’s just been locked down as one of BBC Radio 1’s 2017 residents.
