Sascha Funke

Sascha Funke, based in Berlin, has moved through multiple sonic territories and atmospheres across his output, yet remains most recognized for melodic, emotionally resonant techno shaped by synth pop and new wave. A longstanding collaborator with the respected German labels Kompakt and BPitch Control, the DJ and producer fuses the former’s exacting precision and pop leanings with the latter’s spirited edge. After issuing a run of atmospheric, energetic minimal techno EPs in the late 1990s and early 2000s, he moved into album-length work in 2003, folding in warm vocals, luminous melodies, and post-punk guitar textures. Partnerships with Chloé and Nina Kraviz, together with remixes for Télépopmusik, Ada, and Gui Boratto, preceded the formation of the duo Saschienne with his wife Julienne Dessagne of Fantastic Twins. Later solo releases, notably the 2016 album In Relationen, have foregrounded his Krautrock and ambient inclinations, elements that likewise surface in his wide-ranging DJ sets, which regularly feature unreleased productions.

Funke spent his early years in East Berlin’s Lichtenberg district and began gathering techno records once the Berlin Wall fell. Frequent visits to dance clubs led him to organize events in youth clubs and to start producing tracks with his friend Paul Kalkbrenner. His 1999 debut EP Campus appeared among Kompakt’s earliest releases, followed the next year by his first outing on Ellen Allien’s then-new BPitch Control. Regular DJ appearances at Ostgut, Tresor, and WMF, along with sets at the Melt and Sonar Festivals, coincided with further singles such as a cover of Bros’ “When Will I Be Famous” and “Now You Know” featuring vocalist Fritz Kalkbrenner. Several of those tracks reappeared on his 2003 BPitch debut album Bravo, later reissued as Brave. Additional singles continued on the label, including the 2006 mix CD Boogybytes, Vol. 2. Watergate 02 arrived on Watergate Records in 2008, while his second artist album, Mango, remained with BPitch.

Following the 2010 EP Moses with Nina Kraviz, Funke and Julienne Dessagne launched Saschienne, exploring sensual, downtempo techno. Their debut album Unknown was released on Kompakt in 2012. The label also issued Funke’s single “Zug um Zug” in 2014 and Saschienne’s Golden Prints EP in 2015. His Kosmische-focused In Relationen EP, paired with the remix set In Reaktionen, appeared on the Canadian imprint Multi Culti in 2016. IFA followed on Tiga’s Turbo label in 2017, and the full-length Lotos Land came out via the Japanese label Endless Flight.