Funk Assault: Why TikTok Techno could harm the scene

In this weeks episode of Playful Podcast we meet with techno DJ:s and producers Alarico and Chlär who have gone together as Funk Assault.
Both artists are strongly shaped by 90’s techno and with Funk Assault they say they create better music than anyone of them do individually.
In this episode we don’t only get to know them better individually but also together and speak about what inspires the creations by Funk Assault compared to their individual productions and speak about the ‘new techno era’, the impact of “TikTok-techno” and why that could potentially harm the scene, as well as some struggles they have been through in life.
In the extra material we speak about things the duo wish they knew when they were younger, as well as how they know when a track is done or needs more work. To get access to the extra material, go to www.patreon.com/playfulmagazine
Playful Podcast is available on Spotify, all Podcast Apps and KZbin
Follow Funk Assault on Instagram: / funkassault
Follow Amanda on Instagram: / amanda.sandst
And, don't forget to follow us on Instagram for daily updates and a lot of content from Berlin's underground scene.
Instagram: / playful.mag

[@officialplayfultv]

Playful Podcast is released every Tuesday. Hit subscribe to not miss out on our next episode.

[@fourkings_]

I like that he clearly refers to Klangkuenstler who truly does nothing but harm to the scene right now.

[@arthvrbraga]

Love how the interviewer asks only a few questions and let them talk non stop

[@officialplayfultv]

Gotta keep it flow! 🥰

[@dieserrobert7974]

My man on the right looks exactly like Chlaer

[@dieserrobert7974]

Oh lol it is indeed chlaer haha

[@nightboom512]

😂

[@jered6423]

@@dieserrobert7974 lol

[@joaocancela1068]

Bruv kkkk

[@ericvallesbaix5461]

Legend

[@TAZS]

what a beautiful creative bromance, this interview was a joy to watch, love these guys ❤😂

[@lucasbraganca13]

They have so much chemistry together, it's beautiful to see that 🖤

[@Diego_Estes]

You guys killed it ! Great pod. And also big shoutout to the interviewer for letting it flow !! That’s BIG !

[@officialplayfultv]

Thank You Ken! 😍 That is exactly how we want it: to flow!

[@kevincrtl]

Saw them in Berghain December 2023. Didn't know who they were and was blown away. Didn't leave the dancefloor for a second, and that was the beginning of my journey with Hardgroove. Super talented guys.

[@ekserd3725]

I see Charles doing an Ayahuasca ceremony in Alarico's Nissan Skyline!

[@ryuseiso]

Please continue with these podcasts its so good as Im genuinely interested in knowing these artists not just through their mixes but also from personal view. They are smart, interesting, dedicated and Im sure other artists and fans will love to know more about them. Also when I heard 1000 tracks.. i was like damn so I am not alone in this : D Totally cool guys these two, I can imagine how their synergies boost each other. Can't wait for releases. ** lmao Chlär: Im gonna debunk your stuff instantly icant

[@SpinningGroove]

hyped for their releaes and sets in the future. masters combined !

[@champagneraki]

Crazy how intelligent Chlar is. Way ahead of other artists in this generation

[@enriquea.berger9930]

This guys has an enormous potential! Thank you so much for this podcast with Chlär and Alarico, very nice to know more about them!

[@tr-vh3ec]

Such respect for these young lads, class acts! I do miss creating stuff with friends, triggered a lot of nostalgia. Chaer, if it makes you feel better you def help my mental health with your sets - I don't go to clubs anymore (too old) but I dance to that shit like crazy on a Friday night after a tough week at work. The music coming out nowadays is 10X better than in my day (horrible tech house era).

[@jochenkito]

Great podcast! I agree with you coment about tiktok techno. A lot of "fake techno lovers" are appearing but with artits like you the real techno scene will never go away. Greetings froms Spain!!! Alarico, I listened to you at Industrial Copera and, Chlär, I'm going to listen to you in Madrid in March. Love and Vivaaa Funk Assault ❤💣🕺

[@xLeBang]

their interactions are so wholesome! i havent heard of them before but i will be sure to check it out, i really love how they talk about djing :)

[@zeljkokrnjic5281]

I love them a lot as individuals, so happy to see what they release as funk assault!! Love the chemistry 😎

[@Lopro94]

Saw this musical fusion of two masterminds + Narciss + Frederic + Vermeer in one night in Hannover this Spring and I can tell you never have I been flying higher. Off the charts, pure blast! 🔥🚀 If you have a chance to go see them live, do it!

[@costelblow3787]

These guys rock the fuck out of the decks. Mixing is next level

[@teunrompa9690]

This is such a wholesome episode as someone starting to produce groove techno this warms my heart

[@joaocancela1068]

And yes Technasia 2 the floor is a banger ahahah

[@Andre-gy5ml]

such genuine guys, makes me appreciate their music even more.

[@ela.404_music]

This is precious content! Thanks

[@elsh4ne]

This is so fun to watch!!🔥

[@LordEvilton18]

Proper techno and music will live on whatever the sonic aesthetic may be the fad music will eventually die like it always does

[@rajatraihanda]

Very interesting to hear from these two young talented artists who are also clearly amazing people!

[@RosanneAmsterdam]

What you guys are doing, is more then useful for society. IKIGAI 🙏🏼💗 THANKS

[@KatMarie]

good one! always love your interviews xx

[@officialplayfultv]

Thank you

[@varo0511]

chlär ist fr so ein netter Bre und die beiden haben echt nh reale freundschaft, merkt man direkt

[@Froggyfrunk]

that fish bowl effect that they mentioned when it comes down to DJ reels is spot on. whatever happened to DJs who didn't give a fuck about their appearance?

[@Flashback_Jack]

Word! Gonna see Alarico in Toronto this Friday. Can't wait!

[@officialplayfultv]

Lucky you!

[@Flashback_Jack]

@@officialplayfultv Luckier than most, no doubt!

[@AdrianAkaArdt]

r/propertechno represent!! :)

[@Flashback_Jack]

@@AdrianAkaArdt Yessssssirrrrrr! WESTSIDDDE!

[@joaocancela1068]

Love this duo! Can't wait to catch them for 6 hours at Vault Sessions

[@lucaspunt8793]

that monday morning will be crazy

[@vires303]

Nos vemos alli!!!

[@joaocancela1068]

Well see you fellas there ahah

[@JoaoGoncalves-zm4th]

Dancing brawl incoming yooo

[@misdaan9957]

see you on the dancefloor!

[@danielenestola5259]

Finally someone speaking facts, and very nice producers and dj‘s ❤️❤️

[@139BPM]

This is amazing

[@Vinssy13934]

Son muy inspiradores chicos , gracias por existir !

[@ankamudra137]

OMG 1000 tracks by Alarico!!!! yes please! now we are save ❤‍🔥

[@foerderzone]

cool vibe and humbs up for the dog on the shirt ))) lovely one

[@zeljkokrnjic5281]

the interviewer looks like Paula Temple :D

[@xdquickscope666]

great podcast....I would love too see Alcatraz too..:)

[@ankamudra137]

it was sooo fan to watch you talking guys, it's a lot of inspiration! You are so talented, so real, so energetic and passioned with what you do! I love it! It fulfill me! I want to support every step of you on your fucking beautiful way!!! send you so much love!!!!!!!!!!!! This feeling is incredible, thank you for making me feel it!!!!!!!!!

[@varo0511]

cool guys 🙏🏼💜

[@prodshapi4079]

rarely watch a podcast to the end but these 2 are so funny lol, died at the pizzamaker comment. if these 2 stopped djing, they would make a great entertainment podcast

[@erickperez1957]

Chlaer is so relatable

[@Prop909]

True

[@Phi-musicDe]

awesome people make awesome music, thanks! :)

[@ftrsaliyf-zd4wk]

What is this styled like other generations ?

[@aaanis_]

Yesszszzzzzzz

[@matthenley3886]

2 the floor fucking slams. How dare you 😆

[@ronnie6540]

1:00:30 😉

[@Froggyfrunk]

LOL thank you

[@renebernard4712]

The soundcloud link in the desription just leads to a random dnb dude with the same name lmao

[@officialplayfultv]

Fixed! Shouldn't be any Soiundcloud link at all. Thanks for reaching out! 🥰

[@freyasworn2600]

i dont intend to listen to this podcast, but i wanted to leave a comment. im not personally on tiktok and i have no idea how many people are or its influence over people. tiktok cant harm the scene, thats all, if a tiktok bunny rabbit comes to a rave they will be scared off or fall in love. the real music killer is phones on the dancefloor, clubs should always dish out a sticker on a phone and make a lot of noise about people being on there phones on the dancefloor

[@officialplayfultv]

Interesting! But don't you think it can change the scene at all? Even if it maybe doesn't harm, it' has a big influence on the younger generation :)

[@freyasworn2600]

@@officialplayfultv i think it can certainly influence it, but only at its surface. the way i see it, someone discovers techno artists or tracks through the platform which will ultimately lead to the consumer to explore this world they have just been exposed to. i struggle to see how videos half a minute will change the fanbase of techno, the producers of techno, the event managers of techno events. You have to appreciate my viewpoint is fairly ignorant, im not on bloody tiktok lol! i have no idea how techno is being represented on the platform. Good music is good music though, people will find music and make a decision to like it or listen to something else. if a new genre of "tiktok techno" comes to light i look forward to hearing it. if its anything like youtube rappers though i can confidently say it will be shit and wont last long

[@ela.404_music]

@@freyasworn2600 one common pattern I see emerging (especially referring to your "half minute" reference) is, DJs are more keen to play these kind of "instant dopamine drops" techno-ish tunes, which fit perfect in those short vides, which in turn become popular on the social platforms and ignite the whole chain of engage followers -> get more popular -> get more followers -> gain exposure -> become more trendy -> possibly get more gigs (or rather, don't disappear summerged by all the other performers doing this). In this last step obviously, a big share of the responsibility is on the promoters (tho, they too need to square the bills at the end of the day..). This is particularly exacerbated by the recent expansion policies of Instagram (basically a new tik-tok, tho I don't really know tik-tok cos never used it) only promoting reels and that kind of pure-dopamine and less-real-content addiction-based engagement. DJs nowadays need to be able, amongst others, to juggle with the social algorythms as much as (or even more, as I see around) being able to actually DJ. Producers follow suit, wanting to be featured by said DJs (sometimes the same person has both roles ofc), which is actually steering eventually the amount of music produced in a given direction. So the music changes (you could say it's getting POP), the way DJs play changes, and the people dragged to the parties changes, too. Because it's pulled from such entertainment content. Not all realities are like this, and ofc there are venues/artists/promoters which still preserve a real culture, but this is emerging more and more. This is more crucial e.g. for emerging artists who still don't really have a name/reputation or new artists who approach the scene from zero. And all parties involved play a role, tho the socials, particularly tik-tok and instagram, are the damn catalyzer and imo they are actually harmful to the public health as well and maybe need to be regulated. About this, I suggest this interesting read: www.guerrillabizarre.com/hottakes/instagramanxiety That's it from me. A DJ spinning records since many years who is trying to emerge, who doesn't like to engage with socials and would prefer to stay integral to his music/artistic values. I _swear_ I am not crying while typing this.

[@freyasworn2600]

@@ela.404_music i appreciate your insight, thanks for messaging.

[@lucinee]

@@freyasworn2600 why do you leave this comment without listening to the interview? You even stress that you don't want to listen to it, but you still have an opinion about it. That makes absolutely no sense. Listen to it, then you would have understood how it is meant and how Tiktok works. I don't understand why people have to comment without even listening to the content.

[@LuzqueFuscasse]

What is proper techno and what makes techno improper? Do you have to be wearing salomon shoes to tell?

[@lukemate2783]

Guy in the white looks just like chläer

[@Fernando-cn2xb]

he is

[@springchickena1]

chicago germany uk japan some insane mfers to think techno was the shit

[@na-tl8zo]

DRAGON BALLZZZ LOL

[@andreasaldal415]

Tutorial on "how to dance to techno" Hahahaha 😆 I mean 4real? Hahahaha 😆

[@user-ft3sx4be9w]

what is techno?

[@duca9163]

*is harming*

[@JizzyFizzle627]

yeah tiktoktechno really destroyed everything I loved about techno, theres not a single event anymore without all this crap

[@ViNiels]

Just gotta dig deeper bro.