What do you remember about your very first gigs or steps in the scene?
Reka Zalan: My first steps began in Bremen, where I recorded a mix for a friend’s open radio project and played small collective parties, including my first gig on the MS Treue.
What stood out was the strong sense of empowerment I received from friends – with particularly hands-on support from the guys around me – who lent me gear, shared rehearsal spaces and encouraged me even when I had barely any experience.
Bremen’s subcultural scene was already conscious of gender dynamics and FLINTA* empowerment, creating an inclusive and supportive environment.
That mix of trust, solidarity, and DIY spirit helped me find my place and shaped my confidence and lasting connection to DJing.
How does your DJ setup shape your sound, and what do you enjoy most about each?
Reka Zalan: I started out with a controller in 2011 and later moved through Traktor Scratch, CDJs and eventually vinyl, driven by the desire to properly learn the craft. Today, I enjoy playing both analog and digital, even if balancing them sometimes feels like navigating two identities, as each medium brings out a different technical and sensory approach.
Vinyl’s physicality and limitations keep me grounded and focused, drawing me into a more intuitive, embodied flow, while digital playing offers more structure, range and flexibility including access to unreleased music and the ability to adapt quickly to different contexts.
Although my selection and mixing shift subtly between the two, my core sound stays pretty consistent, also because I usually stick to a straightforward two-deck approach – a reduction that feels coherent for me both mentally and aesthetically: giving two tracks space to breathe and helping my perfectionist side stay present and balanced rather than overwhelmed by multitasking.
You’ve played Berghain several times. How do you prepare for a night like that?
Reka Zalan: Preparing for Bergain is always intense for me, as the stakes feel high and expectations can be overwhelming.
I usually prepare digitally, as it gives me access to a broader selection of music and supports my process of shaping dramaturgy with structure and precision, helping me feel more grounded. What this space represents for me, combined with the intensity and elevation of the booth, amplifies both my excitement and inner tension, which is why, so far, l’ve leaned towards a setup that offers the kind of stability I need in that context, even if it means letting go more gradually.
For these nights, I dig deep for new music but also bring familiar tracks that help anchor me.
I’m genuinely grateful to be given the chance to return to that space again and again. Berghain remains a milestone for any techno artist, and it pushes, humbles and inspires me every time.
What have been your most beautiful or hardest experiences as a DJ, and what did you take away from them?
Reka Zalan: Some of my most beautiful moments as a DJ are realizing that what I do has a place and can give something to people, even when I don’t always see it myself. My biggest highlights are the gigs where I manage to let go and everything flows naturally – those moments remind me why I’m doing this.
On the other hand, there are nights when nothing aligns: the energy feels off, technical issues arise or pressure takes over, yet I still have to stay professional.
Experiencing both, beauty and difficulty, has taught me to grow at the edge of my comfort, trust myself, and soften expectations.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Stay with it, trust yourself, be kind to yourself and don’t judge yourself too harshly.
Be brave, take positive feedback seriously and try not to compare yourself to others, as everyone has their own pace and way of growing.
Above all, don’t forget to enjoy it and have fun!
push-Network 