DJ Thabo on the Power of Music and Community During ADE

Thabo is a multi-hyphenate: entrepreneur, label owner at Home Again, and talented Berlin-based DJ. He’s joining us during ADE for a special brunch at Sir Adam’s Forbidden Garden to spin some fresh tunes and talk with us about the power of music and communities. Check out our interview with him here.

Q: Thabo, you're playing at Sir Adam in just a few days. We're so happy to have you. Can you talk to us about community and how that has influenced your label Home Again?

Home Again is a project that is part of the electronic music subculture. Community is essential to what we do – on a micro level between our stakeholders and in a broader sense with our scene.

When we first started, Home Again was all about engaging the local community in Berlin and the underground club scene here. But as interest grew, the collective evolved and we broadened our network.

Today, we have participants from Berlin, London, Brazil, Stuttgart, Fulda, Cologne, Düsseldorf, and beyond. And our community is growing through the content we produce (records, mixes, apparel) and of course our parties in different cities.

Q: In your experience, what is the connection between music and community?

We learned a lot from the club scene in Berlin – it is still very political and aims to offer a safe space for all types of communities. The result is often a "bublification" within the scene that can have its up and downs. But, in my opinion, it is very important that we continue to have an open exchange between the different communities in order to grow and be open to other worldviews.

This is something we want to share with our community. And I think this can be done more easily through music (especially underground electronic music) which can reach people beyond borders. Especially when it comes from more niche artists. In terms of underground electronic music – this often goes along with shared political views, ideologies, and ideas of life.

In my opinion, it is very important that we continue to have an open exchange between the different communities in order to grow and be open to other worldviews.

Q: Music played a big role when designing Sir Adam, from the record players to the karaoke-themed elevator. Music is everywhere. What inspires you about music today?

Music has been an integral part of my life. Whether it's a song on the radio, a special record, or an artist that is challenging the status quo. I'm inspired by it all.

I also think the consumption of music is changing. Hardly anyone is buying or listening to full albums or even EPs. Playlists are the new medium and maybe it's time to rethink formats for releases. Instead of fighting these changes, I want to be part of these developments and do as much as I can to change for the better.

Thanks, Thabo! We can't wait to party with you.