Chicago-bred Dan Berkson has gone from studying jazz and funk at one of the USA's top music school in his formative years to playing live sets of deep, jacking minimal electronic music at some of the world's most acclaimed and debauched parties. He's released acclaimed tracks for the likes of Sondos, Satoshi Tomiie's SAW, Moodmusic and Crosstown Rebels to name but a few, and is among the most respected producers on the more minimal side of thangs. Best known for their collaborations on Berlin's legendary Pokerflat Recordings, Berkson & James What will be bringing their live set to Halo @ The Cross, London on July 21st. We spoke with Dan...

Tell us about your musical upbringing...earliest memories....key moments and so on?

I started playing the piano at a really young age - I think around 6. My dad played as well so that was a big influence. My family was always very supportive and really pushed me to practice when I was growing up. My earliest memory was when I was seven playing keyboards in this high school band called ‘Endless Void’. We only played ‘Baba O’ Reily’ by The Who and did really have any gigs but still it was cool!

You were classically trained right? How do you feel that this manifests itself in the modern electronic music you play?

I guess for me playing keyboards is a big part of the electronic music that I’m playing and producing. It’s important in the writing and key for bringing improvisation and spontaneity to the process. I don’t think classical music is a big part of my current music, but the general musical understanding is important. Saying that, I certainly don’t think you need to be a trained musician to make great electronic. In fact what turned me on to electronic music in the first place was listening to all of the creative music that untrained musicians were making. To me it was so much more exciting than listening to people going through chords and scales, etc..

How did you make that jump from playing keyboards for jazz/funk/soul bands etc to creating stripped down electronic music?

I guess I just got a bit tired of the “band” thing and really fell in love with electronic sounds in general. Of course there is more to this answer but we probably couldn’t print it?

Your awesome ‘People’ from last year was full of big, bold, beautiful melodies, whereas much of your recent stuff focuses more on subtle hooks and grooves. Was this a conscious decision as such? Or can we expect to hear some more bits like ‘People’ along the way?

I don’t think it was really a conscious decision. ‘People’ was actually made almost 3 years ago and we all are very influenced by the sounds around us so we go through these changes. I always try to bring melody into my music, just in different ways.

How did you meet your production/live act partner James What?

We met in London at a small afterparty in my house about 2 years ago. We both had similar backgrounds of playing in bands and then getting more involved with production and house music so it was a good match.

How does your live set up work? Who’s doing what?

We are running two laptops, I’ve got my Moog, he has a drum machine, and both have some controllers. It varies who is doing what, but usually I’m covering more melodic stuff and James is handling drums and percussive elements.

Does the whole DJing thing not really do it for you?

For me personally I got into this music from the production side first. I was DJing a bit, which I loved, but I just decided that I’d rather leave that to the proper DJs and I would focus more on Live stuff. It’s more natural for me and I’m much more confident doing it.

If you had to come up with a group name for yourself and James rather than using your real names – what would it be and why?

If I had thought of one we’d probably be using it...Berkson and What sounds a bit like an accounting firm?

Which parties in the UK have really rocked for you?

secretsundaze has been a favourite for years. The guys are really close friends of mine and some of the best times I’ve had in London were at those parties. There are so many good ones though…mulletover has had some great ones, Kubicle, Fabric is always great for me..

Which countries are the most consistent? Where never fails to go off?

Every place is really different so I think it’s nearly impossible to say. Of course Berlin and London are generally very consistent, but even then you never really know what you’re walking into …We have had some great shows in places like Russia, Slovenia, and Istanbul.

Check out full details of Halo's next party at The Cross with Dan Berkson & James What LIVE here:
http://www.dontstayin.com/uk/london/the-cross/2007/jul/21/event-129235