ESKEI83
LEFT TO HIS OWN DEVICES
Sebastian König, aka Eskei83, will have arrived in Toronto having already made history as Germany’s first national representative at the Thre3style World Finals. For Eskei83, it’s been a long time coming. An observer of the Thre3style format for years, he watched his French, Canadian, and American counterparts bask in the winner’s circle in previous go-rounds. Hungry for a chance to shine brightest amongst his comrades, Eskei83 deftly wields external controllers and genre dexterity as his arsenal in competition.
HOW THRE3STYLE IS THE PERFECT PLATFORM FOR HIS MUSICAL SKILL SET
Ever since I heard of Thre3style I was fascinated by the concept. It was made for me and my style. I love music, not only one genre but music in general. There are so many good sounds out there I want to play, I can’t only stick to one genre. Thre3style is super close to what I’m doing at the clubs, so preparation was easy.
THE GROWING PAINS OF THRE3STYLE IN DEUTSCHLAND
There are great DJs out in Germany but for some strange reason some of them didn’t want to take the challenge of Thre3Style. Some DJ’s at the nationals had competed on an international level before and it was hard to beat them. But I think in the coming years the level will become even higher!
The biggest problem was the crowd at my regional qualifier that did not get the concept at all. One guy was requesting a song in the middle of my set, putting his phone in my face. WOW!
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING WITH THE AUDIENCE
I never took part in DMC or ITF, because it was too technical at some point. Even as a DJ, I didn’t get what these guys were doing because all was prepared and lined up on their custom made vinyl. It was hard to figure out if the sound was on the record or if the DJ was doing it live.
I want people to understand what I’m doing – even if they have no DJ background. I present my music in a turntablist kind of way but don’t want to crash the party with scratching. I want them to have a good time. It’s about having fun and partying to tracks we feel.
USAGE OF EXTERNAL DEVICES IN 3STYLE SETS
The Dicer was a game changer. It’s so dope to have access to your tracks right on the decks. It’s even more like playing an instrument. So I decided for a controller on top as well. I’m using the Launchpad at the moment to trigger cues, samples, loops MPC-style.
The Rane 62 is the best mixer out. The effect section is awesome. Endless echoes, perfect phaser effects. I can’t live without it. I feel uncomfortable when one of these things are missing.
PREPARING FOR THE WORLD FINALS
I’ve listened to all of the winner sets because I love to listen to creative DJs. For my preparation it wasn’t a difference. I don’t want to try to do it better than anyone in the competition – I want to do what is best for me, to represent me and the DJs from my country. I want to show what my style is and not how good I can copy the techniques of previous winners.
HIS PICKS TO PLACE WELL IN THE FINALS
There are some very dope sets online and I’m looking forward to seeing the DJs live. Unfortunately DJ Scene didn’t make it. His overall set was way better than Trentino musically and party-rocking wise. Trentino was better on the technical side. So it was a matter of taste, I guess. I really enjoyed Adam DoubleYou’s set as well. Mad energy. DJ Bazooka from Switzerland is a dope DJ too. I played with him live and he’s a party rocker for sure! So I have to watch out for these dudes.
LONG TERM MUSICAL GOALS
As soon as I finish the competition, I’m dropping my own tracks that are ready to release. I think that’s the next step for me. I have played many festivals in Europe this year and everybody was asking for which track I’m known for. But I was “only” booked for my DJ sets. Official remixes will drop soon. That’s what I’m known for: making non-club tracks playable in the club.
MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS
My girlfriend always gives great input. She and my 18-month-old daughter make me happy, so I can raise the energy for my art. We have great times together when I take time off my music, and that makes me even better when I’m back in the studio. I also love sports. I was a soccer player at the highest level till i decided to make only music. When I’ve got time, I go back to the pitch to kick it.
DESCRIBING HIS STYLE
I love to rock parties with a high level on the skills/technique side. I love to surprise the crowd with tracks they don’t expect at this point, and I love to manipulate the music with the latest software and hardware possibilities. When I step on stage, I want to give the crowd a show they will remember, not just a DJ set. It’s a full-on show.
Sebastian König, aka Eskei83, will have arrived in Toronto having already made history as Germany's first national representative at the Thre3style World Finals. For Eskei83, it's been a long time coming. An observer of the Thre3style format for years, he watched his French, Canadian, and American counterparts bask in the winner's circle in previous go-rounds. Hungry for a chance to shine brightest amongst his comrades, Eskei83 deftly wields external controllers and genre dexterity as his arsenal in competition.
HOW THRE3STYLE IS THE PERFECT PLATFORM FOR HIS MUSICAL SKILL SET
Ever since I heard of Thre3style I was fascinated by the concept. It was made for me and my style. I love music, not only one genre but music in general. There are so many good sounds out there I want to play, I can't only stick to one genre. Thre3style is super close to what I'm doing at the clubs, so preparation was easy.
THE GROWING PAINS OF THRE3STYLE IN DEUTSCHLAND
There are great DJs out in Germany but for some strange reason some of them didn't want to take the challenge of Thre3Style. Some DJ's at the nationals had competed on an international level before and it was hard to beat them. But I think in the coming years the level will become even higher!
The biggest problem was the crowd at my regional qualifier that did not get the concept at all. One guy was requesting a song in the middle of my set, putting his phone in my face. WOW!
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTING WITH THE AUDIENCE
I never took part in DMC or ITF, because it was too technical at some point. Even as a DJ, I didn't get what these guys were doing because all was prepared and lined up on their custom made vinyl. It was hard to figure out if the sound was on the record or if the DJ was doing it live.
I want people to understand what I'm doing - even if they have no DJ background. I present my music in a turntablist kind of way but don't want to crash the party with scratching. I want them to have a good time. It's about having fun and partying to tracks we feel.
USAGE OF EXTERNAL DEVICES IN 3STYLE SETS
The Dicer was a game changer. It's so dope to have access to your tracks right on the decks. It's even more like playing an instrument. So I decided for a controller on top as well. I'm using the Launchpad at the moment to trigger cues, samples, loops MPC-style.
The Rane 62 is the best mixer out. The effect section is awesome. Endless echoes, perfect phaser effects. I can't live without it. I feel uncomfortable when one of these things are missing.
PREPARING FOR THE WORLD FINALS
I've listened to all of the winner sets because I love to listen to creative DJs. For my preparation it wasn't a difference. I don't want to try to do it better than anyone in the competition - I want to do what is best for me, to represent me and the DJs from my country. I want to show what my style is and not how good I can copy the techniques of previous winners.
HIS PICKS TO PLACE WELL IN THE FINALS
There are some very dope sets online and I'm looking forward to seeing the DJs live. Unfortunately DJ Scene didn't make it. His overall set was way better than Trentino musically and party-rocking wise. Trentino was better on the technical side. So it was a matter of taste, I guess. I really enjoyed Adam DoubleYou's set as well. Mad energy. DJ Bazooka from Switzerland is a dope DJ too. I played with him live and he's a party rocker for sure! So I have to watch out for these dudes.
LONG TERM MUSICAL GOALS
As soon as I finish the competition, I'm dropping my own tracks that are ready to release. I think that's the next step for me. I have played many festivals in Europe this year and everybody was asking for which track I'm known for. But I was "only" booked for my DJ sets. Official remixes will drop soon. That's what I'm known for: making non-club tracks playable in the club.
MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS
My girlfriend always gives great input. She and my 18-month-old daughter make me happy, so I can raise the energy for my art. We have great times together when I take time off my music, and that makes me even better when I'm back in the studio. I also love sports. I was a soccer player at the highest level till i decided to make only music. When I’ve got time, I go back to the pitch to kick it.
DESCRIBING HIS STYLE
I love to rock parties with a high level on the skills/technique side. I love to surprise the crowd with tracks they don't expect at this point, and I love to manipulate the music with the latest software and hardware possibilities. When I step on stage, I want to give the crowd a show they will remember, not just a DJ set. It's a full-on show.