Berlin’s electronic music landscape has long been a breeding ground for innovation, and among its many influential figures, Niconé (Alexander Gerlach) has carved out a singular space. As an artist, DJ, and co-founder of the label Dantze, his sound has remained fluid, blending house, techno, and an unmistakable groove that has carried him across decades of evolution.
Now, with a new album on the horizon, he continues to push forward, embracing the unknown with the same energy that first drew him into the scene. This is the sound of our Artist Of The Month. This is the sound of Niconé.
For Alexander, the fall of the Berlin Wall marked the beginning of his journey into electronic music. “It all started after the Wall came down. Suddenly, everything felt possible. There were massive, raw warehouses filled with new music—less vocals, more driving drums, and this forward-thinking energy. People wore quirky clothes and danced in completely new ways,” he recalls.
Drawn to the pulse of the city, he immersed himself in its club culture, frequenting record shops and parties. It was an obsession that soon led to action—he and a friend opened their own record store dedicated to house and techno. However, their passion for the music may have outweighed their business instincts. “We went bankrupt because we kept saving the best records for ourselves!” he laughs.
Despite this early setback, the experience solidified his place in the scene and deepened his understanding of the craft. While DJing wasn’t initially in his plans, it soon became an undeniable part of his life.
Defining a breakthrough moment in a career that spans decades is difficult, but for Niconé, one experience stands out: “I think my big ‘aha’ moment was at E-Werk in Berlin during the Love Parade. It might have been the second parade—I can’t remember exactly. The Parade wasn’t too crowded, and some of us were roller-skating around the trucks. There was music everywhere, and the vibe was so relaxed, so carefree. It felt like you could drift from one club to another, just soaking it all in. That whole experience was unforgettable.”
It was during these formative years that his musical identity took shape, one that would later lead to global recognition with releases like ‘Caje’ on Stil vor Talent. “That track took us all over the world,” he reflects. “But inspiration comes from everywhere. I walk through life with my eyes open, and every day something sparks an idea.”
As Berlin’s electric underground thrived, Niconé and fellow artist Philip Bader launched Dantze, a label that quickly became a defining presence in the city’s soundscape. “Philip and I started the label around the same time Bar25 was born. That was such a magical era for Berlin and for our sound. Bar25 felt like time travel. You’d go in on a Friday and come out on Monday, and it all felt like it had passed in 40 minutes.”
Dantze provided a platform for artists who embraced deep, playful, and dancefloor-driven sounds, and over the years, it has remained an influential force, evolving alongside the city’s ever-shifting landscape.
Niconé approaches his DJ sets with an ear for the unexpected. “I try to make my sets a little special. I use a lot of acapellas and mix them with different tracks. I also create my own edits and play a lot of unreleased material. But these days, people don’t want to discover new music, they just want to listen to their own playlists or tracks. That’s what I loved when I started going out—the element of surprise.”
The freedom of discovery has always been at the core of his artistry. Even in a world dominated by algorithms and streaming platforms, he remains committed to creating moments that feel spontaneous and raw.
If there’s one thing that has defined Alexander’s career, it’s his refusal to follow a fixed path. He sees music as a constantly shifting landscape, one that allows him to remain true to himself. “I do what I love, without compromise. Sometimes it works perfectly, and other times it moves so fast it’s hard to keep up. That’s just how I am—love it or leave it.”
As he looks ahead, his focus is on his forthcoming album, ‘Riding Into the Unknown’, a collaboration with longtime friend Dirty Doering. Set for release in April on Katermukke, the album moves away from the cinematic textures of ‘Exit Space’ and embraces funky, deep house grooves. “On February 7th, we’re releasing ‘XTZ’ featuring Odara Sol, the first single from the album. It’s different from what we did before—lots of energy, lots of beats to get you moving. Can’t wait to share this ride with all of you.”
For Niconé, the thrill of music has always been in the journey. From Berlin’s warehouse parties to global festival stages, his career has been a testament to the power of evolution. And if ‘Riding Into the Unknown’ is any indication, he’s still moving forward, embracing whatever comes next.
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