Here at The Club Map we welcome one of the latest members to Berlin’s thriving electronic music community in the shape of Icelandic DJ & Producer Intr0Beatz. We recently sat down with Arsaell to talk about his new life in Berlin and the launch of his new mix series ‘Current Groove’. Here’s how it went down…
Hi Intr0beatz, How’re you?
I’m doing well, thank you. I’m enjoying life in Berlin, spending quality time with family, savoring great food, and, most importantly, dedicating myself to making music every day. I truly can’t complain.
How long have you been involved in music?
I had my first DJ gig at the age of 12, performing at my school. Including that, it totals 32 years this year. However, I didn’t begin creating my own music until I was around 17, and I haven’t stopped since.
What’s your sound?
My sound is a reflection of the diverse musical influences I grew up with. Being a child of the ’90s, I was exposed to a wide variety of genres. From my parents’ jazz fusion records to the eclectic mix of ’80s and ’90s music, my early exposure was broad. I was also heavily influenced by the vibrant rave scene of the ’90s, exploring everything from jungle and drum & bass to house, techno, breakbeat, and hip-hop.
I try to use this rich musical background as a blueprint for all my work. While I occasionally experiment with different styles, I strive to approach all my tracks in a way that maintains the essence of my sound, ensuring consistency across genres.
You’ve just launched a new mix series, tell us about it?
I previously hosted a monthly show on The Underground Sessions. The platform’s founder and host, DJ Caspa, has been a key figure in my music career, offering me a spot on the show back in 2015. When he stepped away from the show in 2023, I also felt it was time to shift my focus to other projects. However, I deeply missed the routine of curating music and discovering new artists each week. The show was an invaluable platform for refining my DJ skills and staying connected with others in the community. This experience inspired me to create something that would provide a similar sense of fulfillment, but in a different format.
The concept behind Current Groove revolves around carefully selected soundscapes and grooves that have inspired my music. It spans a range from early 90s tracks to recent releases, with a primary focus on the house music genre.
Current Groove 001
You’ve recently just relocated to Berlin, How’re you finding the city?
I’ve always had a strong connection to Berlin, visiting intermittently since 2017. Initially, my trips were focused on the city’s vibrant parties and clubs, but now I’m here primarily as a family man. The two experiences are completely different. In the past, I wouldn’t have considered Berlin an ideal place to raise a child, but I’ve come to believe it’s actually one of the best cities for it. The variety of playgrounds and activities is endless, and it’s common to see families bringing their children everywhere—though, of course, not into the nightclubs!
Some people say Berlin isn’t a particularly beautiful city, but I completely disagree. The rawness of the city, with its street art, rugged architecture, and the diverse backgrounds of its people, is incredibly inspiring.
I hope this teaches my daughter to appreciate this diversity in the same way that my wife and I do.“
Have you played any cool gigs since your move?
I had the opportunity to play at the 6 Days New Year’s party at Sisyphos. I’ve performed there a few times before, and it’s always an incredible experience. Regardless of the time of day or night, each set feels special. The energy at Sisyphos is truly unique, and I always leave with a renewed sense of inspiration, ready to head to the studio and create.
What does a typical day entail for you in Berlin?
On a typical day here in Berlin, I begin by taking my daughter to kindergarten. After that, I might hit the gym for an hour, then either head home to work on music or go to the studio until about 3 p.m. I then pick up my daughter, take her to a playground, stop by the supermarket, and finally head home to prepare dinner. It’s a relaxed routine that becomes more enjoyable as the days get longer and brighter.
You’ve recently become a father, how do you balance music and being a dad?
I think every parent understands that raising a child is a unique experience, different for each family. I know several talented artists who had to pause their music careers when they became parents. At one point, I even thought the same might happen to me. However, over the past year, I’ve felt an increasing urge to create and DJ again, which has driven me to continue doing what I love. That said, I’m not doing it to stay relevant or to chase trends. I do it for myself—simply as a hobby, at my own pace, and without overthinking it. This approach allows me to maintain a balance between fatherhood, family, and music.
What do you have coming up this year? Feel free to mention anything
In addition to releasing Current Groove mixes on a monthly basis, I have several releases already planned. I have three EPs ready for my label, Cosmic Angles, with the first set to drop on March 10th, followed by the others later in the year. I also have a release lined up for Aterral, Stay True Sounds, and a few others that I’m not yet ready to announce.
Regarding DJ bookings, I’ll be performing back home in Iceland at Kaffibarinn on March 15th. Other than that, I’m open to any opportunities that come my way.
