Guest Of Honor: Eric Cloutier will fuel your night with surprises

Dec 4, 2015 | by Jerry Houtman | Music

About the author

Jerry is the name, online is my game. I'm a digital enthusiast, ranging from old skool gaming and Space Invaders to iPads and social media. The integration of digital elements in everyday life and art have my particular interest, and besides that I'm part time rockaholic.

He grew up in Detroit, the birthplace of techno. He sharpened his musical blade spinning at the infamous New York club, The Bunker. And currently he’s a resident of Berlin, the techno capital of the world. Eric Cloutier is a crate-digging fiend and producer of some fine underground tracks on the renowned Mosaic label and Dutch Wolfskuil Records.

His repertoire varies from house to dub, but the crowd recognizes him for his deep, solid and above all versatile techno.

But first and foremost, Cloutier is a dedicated DJ. For more than two decades he has moved the crowds with his spherical techno and he’s bringing these sound waves to Mood at Radion, alongside his good friend from the UK: Jane Fitz. The lively ambiance in Radion is exactly where Cloutier’s broad musical selection sounds the best. His repertoire varies from house to dub, but the crowd recognizes him for his deep, solid and above all versatile techno.

So Eric, you moved from the New York to Berlin. Why?
“I needed something different, a change of scenery. It felt like my love affair with New York had faded and I was spending more time in Europe so it made sense to stay here.”

How did Berlin affect your music?
“There’s always a motivation for music here. I feel like I’m playing better sets. I play more frequently. I can visit more record stores. I’m surrounded by peers, meet them in the streets. I go to Berghain for inspiration. I’m constantly flip-flopping between house and techno. But I always keeping it techno-oriented, because that’s where it started.”

Next week you’ll be playing a 2,5-hour set at Mood in Radion. What can we expect?
“This is one of those gigs I don’t know what’s going to happen. I love to hear my friend Jane Fitz play, she’s a wild card. I really respect her taste of music, so I guess I’m going to be over-prepared. Just see how she steers the boat and respond.”

Jane Fitz is from the UK. How do you know each other?
“She’s in the same category as me: being a DJ’s DJ. You’re always curious when a peer plays a set, but it’s also a bit like a competition. I mean she has a fantastic taste, and an amazing range of music. I did a show with her in London. It was a killer gig and she’s such a sweetheart. I’m really looking forward to sharing the decks with her.”

How would you describe her sound compared to yours?
“There’s no buzzword to describe her. She’s just an exceptionally good DJ. We’re similar in the sense that we keep people guessing what’s next. Trying not be predictable, keeping it from being boring. That’s the whole point of digging and digging for new music, to find something unexpected.”

One big surprise?
“Yes. I’m notorious for leaving my apartment without having a clue, just with a full box of records. I usually figure out the first two records and after that I’m like shark eyes, I go in my zone and it just happens.”