Dixon

Steffen Berkhahn from Berlin, performing primarily under the name Dixon, exerted substantial influence across the worldwide dance music landscape via his exploratory DJ performances alongside the respected Innervisions imprint. At a time when minimal techno held sway over dancefloors throughout the 2000s, particularly in his hometown, he played a key role in redirecting emphasis toward house, weaving vocal elements and theatrical flair into a techno structure. Although he issued several forward-thinking mix collections—most notably 2009’s The Grandfather Paradox alongside regular associates Henrik Schwarz and Âme, plus 2011’s Live at Robert Johnson Volume 8—his stature derives chiefly from club appearances that showcase exceptional command of track choice, pacing, and overall momentum, establishing him as a regular, sought-after figure at prominent venues and events globally. In the studio he concentrates on remixes, edits, and joint efforts rather than lone productions, routinely refining custom versions of tracks for his own sets while delivering acclaimed reworkings for Disclosure, LCD Soundsystem, Depeche Mode, and many additional artists.

Raised in East Berlin, Dixon initially pursued ambitions as a footballer or long-distance runner until an injury ended those prospects. He turned instead to DJing, first favoring hardcore techno until house captured his focus. In the early 1990s he performed at prominent Berlin venues including Tresor, Turbine, and WMF, delivering extended weekend sets that allowed him to master the techniques of audience engagement. Dixon appeared on a 1996 single under the AVDC project, then by 2000 had reworked material from Femi Kuti, Atjazz, Beanfield, and others. He also handled three volumes of the deep, jazzy house and broken beat Off Limits series for Recreation Recordings, as well as the 2001 WMF Records release Audio Video Disco created with Mitja Prinz. After connecting with Jazzanova he joined their Sonar Kollektiv circle; the label issued the opening two singles by Wahoo, his vocal-oriented house partnership with Georg Levin.

Dixon and Âme (Frank Wiedemann and Kristian Beyer) established Innervisions in 2005, beginning as a Sonar Kollektiv subsidiary. The imprint achieved initial traction through output from Tokyo Black Star, Âme (including the major club track “Rej”), and Stefan Goldmann, together with the 2006 collaboration “Where We At” involving the label’s principals, Henrik Schwarz, and Chicago house legend Derrick L. Carter. Dixon compiled Body Language Vol. 4 for Get Physical Music in 2007, while Wahoo issued their debut album Take It Personal on London’s Fine label. Schwarz, Âme, and Dixon sustained their partnership through live shows and remixes credited to Innervisions Orchestra and A Critical Mass. The D.P.O.M.B. 12" appeared in 2008, followed by the 2009 BBE album The Grandfather Paradox, characterized as “An imprudent journey through 50 years of minimalistic music.” Additional 2009 releases included the club-oriented Temporary Secretary mix and an accompanying 12" of bespoke edits. The A Critical Mass Live EP, drawn from 2009 performances in Chicago and Berlin, emerged in early 2010.

In 2011 Dixon issued the gradually unfolding Live at Robert Johnson Volume 8 and declared it his last commercially released mix CD, citing no further purpose for the format. This decision did not conclude his activity as a DJ or remixer; he supplied versions for Disclosure, the xx, Tiga, Plastikman, and dozens more acts, while joining Guy Gerber on the 2014 single “No Distance.” His standing among elite DJs continued to rise, resulting in the number-one ranking on Resident Advisor’s Top DJ Poll each year from 2013 through 2016 (after which the site retired the chart). Dixon expanded into apparel with the 2017 launch of fashion label Together We Dance Alone, then introduced the Ibiza residency Transmoderna in 2019, later developing it into a digital platform blending art, fashion, and technology.