German duo Adana Twins need little introduction as the creators behind Planet TAU. We sat down with these globetrotting selectors and widely respected producers for an insight into their latest release with Hardt Antoine on TAU…


Hey guys! Great to chat with you. How’s your winter going so far?

Hey guys, first of all, thanks so much for having us! Winter is in full swing, and it’s been quite exciting. After taking it easy for three weeks at the end of autumn, things have ramped up significantly. We just had two amazing shows in New York and Miami, and next week, we’ll be playing in Munich. Then we’re heading to Berlin for our last gig at Watergate before it permanently closes its doors.

We’ll wrap up the year with a bang—a mini tour in South Africa—before kicking off 2025 with shows in Asia and India. And we’ve received what’s probably the best news of the year—something we’ve been waiting for, along with many fans out there. But we’ll only spill the beans once the contracts are signed…

Your latest EP, Feel, is out now on TAU. Could you give us some insight into this release and your TAU imprint?

This is actually our first collaborative EP, created remotely across three different locations. We’ve known Antoine for a while, are huge fans of his work, and always have a blast when we play shows together. It felt natural to collaborate, and we’re thrilled with the result. The reactions and support we’ve been receiving are absolutely mind-blowing.

Tell us about the collaborative process with Hardt Antoine on Feel.

It was such a cool process!

Friso:

It was a lot of work until we had the lead track ‘Feel’ together. At first we found a sample from the 90s that inspired us, but in the end it just didn’t fit anymore. So I started looking for a new lead melody, which turned out to be more difficult than we thought. After a gig where I tested the track, I recorded new chords at night and they turned out to be just right. The first time I played the final version was at a sold-out show at Koko London, and the audience sang along to the melody – something that had never happened before with a track they didn’t know. The track immediately went down well with a lot of DJs. It was requested and they wanted to play it straight away, which is always a good sign! :-)The fact that Ame and Mano le Tough then played it at Circoloco and it spread through the blogosphere was of course another good boost.

The 90s Stab House music has a very special place in my heart. Its catchy melodies and characteristic, driving beat have created an atmosphere that invites you to dance and brings back memories. It is this nostalgic energy that also resonates in ‘Feel’ and connects people – a tribute to a time when music was simply fun and the dancefloor was open. With the B-side ‘Forget’ we wanted to set a counterpoint and create something more emotional. I hope we succeeded.

Benjamin:

I worked on the ‘Crazy’ track on the EP with Antoine entirely through WhatsApp—sending voice notes and text messages back and forth. We kept exchanging versions until we finally met in person again at Koko in London, where we had a show.

When we played the latest version there, Antoine came over immediately and shared his thoughts. The break was amazing, but the arrangement needed some fine-tuning. We made the adjustments the following week, and the track was on point.

We’d love to know how Adana Twins first came to be.

It all started around 2005 when we were studying together. Back then, we began organising parties for our fellow students and started DJing together at those events. Friso was working at a bar, and we occasionally played there as well. Eventually, the bar owner asked us to be resident DJs at his new venue, Pooca, and host the weekends.

At that time, we didn’t even have a name. The name “Adana Twins” came about when we were DJing at a friend’s party, and she wanted to print flyers. We had to come up with something quickly, so while eating Adana kebabs at a Turkish restaurant, we thought, “Let’s just call ourselves the Adana Twins for the night.” It stuck—and here we are.

From there, we gradually built up residencies, releases, and parties, taking things more seriously and professionally. Everything changed in 2012 when we released Strange and Everyday on Exploited. It was like going from 0 to 100 overnight. Suddenly, we weren’t just playing in Hamburg anymore; we were traveling the world.

As a German duo currently based in Hamburg, what’s the nightlife like over there? Any standout clubs for you?

Actually, only I (Benjamin) still live in Hamburg. Over the past few years, I was worried about the city because many clubs had to close. But this year, things are picking up again—new clubs are opening, and the scene is finally getting back to its vibrant roots.

There are also some great promoters, like Café Soda and the AOS crew, who are injecting fresh energy into the city. Their sound is more raw, housey, and techno-oriented—much faster than the Adana Twins vibe—but it’s exciting to see.

It’s also great to see Hamburg producing new talent like Jamek Ortega. He’s a rising star, and I really enjoy his productions. I’m rooting for him to go far.

What tips would you give to aspiring producers?

Do your thing and believe in yourself. It’s totally fine to emulate your idols at first and draw inspiration from their sound. Over time, you’ll naturally develop your own style.

Don’t let negative vibes get to you—focus on the positive. Build connections, go out often, and meet people. A strong network can work wonders.

And most importantly, have a backup plan in case your career doesn’t take off. It’s much harder to break through now than it was 10 years ago because the scene is so much bigger, and it’s easier to produce or DJ.

When you’re not making beats and spinning tracks, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Benjamin: I spend a lot of time with my friends and family—they mean everything to me. You can’t imagine how much I miss them on weekends or when I’m on tour.

I also love cooking and regularly go boxing. Monday mornings at 9:30, I’m in the boxing gym, and after that, the week can officially start. Boxing is the best sport I’ve done in years—it clears my head and keeps me balanced.

I’m lucky to train at an incredible gym with a coach who’s a former Thai boxing world champion. His brother, who also trains us, coached him back then. Not bad, right?

For 2025, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is high on my list.

Friso:

As I live in the south of Europe, I like to spend a lot of time outdoors, by the water and on the beaches. Portugal has a lot to offer in terms of nature.

Nevertheless, when I’m travelling I always try to explore the places I’m staying in a little. For example, it was very refreshing to spend a week in New York again, and next weekend will be the last time we’ll be celebrating Watergate. Lots of friends are coming; it’s going to be a party!

Do you have anything in the works for 2025 you can tell us about?

There’s a lot coming! We’ve just handed in remixes for Woo York, The Magician, and Röyksopp. There’s also an EP coming on Rekids, collaborations with Argia and Digitalism, and something we’ve all been waiting for. But we can’t reveal it just yet. Let’s just say some of you might already have a good idea…


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