With a career that spans over a decade, German producer and DJ Florian Kruse has long stood for music with emotional depth and purpose.
Photo credit: Florian Kruse – Official
From his early collaborations in the Kruse & Nuernberg duo to recent solo releases on Kompakt, Bedrock, Anjunadeep, and Global Underground, Florian’s sound has consistently bridged the introspective and the danceable. His live project with singer Hendrik Burkhard, as well as his 2023 solo album ‘Nordic Soul’, further show his commitment to storytelling through music.
This year, Florian joins a powerful lineup for EG and Listed’s ADE 2025 fundraiser at Duke of Tokyo in Amsterdam. The night will raise critical support for children in Gaza through UNICEF, turning the communal force of dance music into tangible aid.
In this conversation, Florian opens up about emotional connection, social impact, and the value of music that lasts.
EG: Welcome, Florian, it’s a pleasure to have you here for this special ADE fundraiser event. We’re grateful for your support. Let’s begin.
Florian: Thank you guys for the invitation. Such a pleasure to be on the line-up.
EG: Florian, where are we catching you right now, and what’s your headspace like before ADE?
Florian: Right now, you’re catching me in the studio. I’m working on new tracks and getting them ready so I can play them at ADE. I’m super excited.
EG: Your productions often carry deep emotional threads. How do you weave that same emotion into a DJ set for a night like this?
Florian: Thanks a lot for saying that. I always try to read the room and feel the crowd’s energy. For me, it’s about creating a journey with the set I play, so that emotions connect.
EG: When did it first click for you that music could be more than entertainment—that it could create real change?
Florian: I think I always knew that music can be more than just entertainment. Of course, electronic dance music is made for the dance floor, for fun, for letting go and feeling free. But those special moments you experience at a festival or during a long club night always stay with you. They become tied to the tracks you hear in those moments. Later, when I listen to the same track in the car, on my AirPods, or at home, I’m instantly transported back to that feeling, to that memory. That connection is so powerful. It works both ways, because music creates an emotional link to experiences. And that’s why I’ve always believed that music is more than just a soundtrack to a night out. It can heal, it can inspire, and it can have a truly positive impact on people’s lives — and in this special case, it can collect money to help people in difficult situations.
EG: What’s the most rewarding part of lending your talent to a fundraiser like this?
Florian: For me, it’s an honor to be able to connect what I love — which is making music and playing for people — with something that can actually help others. It just feels really good to give something back, and at the same time enjoy what I’m doing. That combination feels good.
EG: If your set could be described in one word for this event, what would it be and why?
Florian: That’s a tough one, because I never plan a set from start to finish. If I had to put it into one word, I’d probably say: JOURNEY. It’s emotional, it’s danceable, it carries good vibes, but above all, it’s about creating a shared experience that evolves with the crowd.
“I’ve always believed that music is more than just a soundtrack to a night out. It can heal, it can inspire, and it can have a truly positive impact on people’s lives — and in this special case, it can collect money to help people in difficult situations”
EG: Having released across so many respected labels, how do you define “success” for yourself today?
Florian: For me, success isn’t about labels. It’s about being proud of my music, seeing others play it, and feeling that connection with people. Success can look very different from the outside.
EG: What do you see as the biggest challenge for our scene in the next five years, and how can artists adapt?
Florian: We’re facing very difficult times because music and creativity alone are no longer enough to stand out. Even in the underground scene, social media has taken over to the point where many labels first look at follower counts, TikTok likes, and how an artist presents themselves before deciding on a release.
Ten years ago, the focus was simply on the quality of the track and the willingness to take risks. Now, financial safety through streaming numbers and sales often takes priority. This creates a spiral where visibility sometimes matters more than artistic quality. To move forward, both artists and labels need to push back against that trend and refocus on the music itself. At the same time, AI-generated music will play a growing role. As producers, we can use modern tools for inspiration and to refine our craft, but outsourcing creativity to AI just to free up time for making more social media content is the wrong direction.
EG: What’s a song—yours or another artist’s—that never fails to move you personally?
Florian: ‘Lovebirds – Want You In My Soul feat. Stee Downes’
EG: Outside of the studio and booth, what’s something that keeps your creativity flowing?
Florian: I work as a youth football coach, and that’s something that really fuels my creativity. Preparing training sessions and working with the kids as a team is a very creative process in itself, and it’s a lot of fun. My son also plays on the team, which makes it even more special and meaningful to me. That combination of planning, teamwork, and sharing those moments with him really keeps my energy and creativity alive outside of music.
EG: When people remember this ADE night, what do you hope your set contributes to that memory?
Florian: I’m happy if people go home with a good feeling after a beautiful night, positively remembering the music. And of course, if one of my tracks becomes part of that memory, so that later on they can recall the good time they had whenever they hear it again. Then I know it was truly a great night.
EG: On a personal level, how does it feel knowing that your set tonight will directly support children facing unimaginable challenges?
Florian: It feels incredibly good to know that by playing tonight, I can actually help make a difference. Just knowing that this event will provide food or other essential support for children in very difficult situations is truly meaningful, and I’m grateful to be part of that.
“I’m happy if people go home with a good feeling after a beautiful night, remembering the music in a positive way”
EG: When the lights go down and people leave Duke of Tokyo on October 23rd, what’s the one feeling or message you hope they carry home with them?
Florian: Knowing that their ticket helped children in difficult situations while they enjoyed the night makes the experience even more special. I hope they will carry that feeling home.
EG: Thank you, Florian, for being part of this event. We appreciate your presence and energy.
Florian: Thanks for having me.
Florian Kruse will perform at EG and Listed’s ADE fundraiser on Thursday, October 23rd. Grab your tickets here.
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