Some records define an era, and some artists help create an entirely new movement. This week on Hard House History, Paul Glazby welcomes German electronic music pioneer Mijk van Dijk for an unforgettable conversation that traces the evolution of trance, techno and rave culture from the streets of Berlin to dancefloors around the world.
Known for the timeless classic Schöneberg, Mijk reveals the real story behind one of the defining records of the 1990s, explaining the difference between the original release and the legendary Marmion remix that became a UK club anthem. Along the way, he reflects on how a generation of producers weren't trying to fit into genres; they were simply trying to create sounds that had never existed before.
The conversation explores Mijk's musical influences, from Prince, Heaven 17 and Detroit techno to the unique atmosphere of West Berlin before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He shares incredible stories about the birth of Berlin's club culture, the first Love Parade, abandoned warehouses becoming legendary venues, and how labels like MFS Records helped shape what would eventually become trance music.
Paul and Mijk also compare the evolution of the German and UK dance scenes, discussing iconic clubs, underground movements, Tony De Vit, Baby Doc, hard house, hard trance and the way different countries inspired each other throughout the 1990s.
The episode also brings things right up to date, covering Mijk's recent collaborations with Baby Doc, the Microglobe Collective, and the growing challenges facing club culture as venues continue to disappear across Europe. It's a passionate discussion about why clubs still matter, why dancefloors create lifelong memories, and why innovation remains at the heart of electronic music.
Whether you discovered Schöneberg back in the 90s or you're hearing Mijk's story for the very first time, this is an essential episode celebrating one of electronic music's true innovators.
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What is Hard House History?
Welcome to Hard House History, formerly known as When I Grow Up, hosted by Hard House icon Paul Glazby. This podcast dives deep into the evolution of the Hard House movement, exploring the music, the culture, and the unforgettable nights that defined an era. Join Paul as he reconnects with the DJs, producers, promoters, and fans who built the scene from the underground up. Whether you lived it or are discovering it for the first time, Hard House History is your front-row seat to the beats, stories, and energy that still move dancefloors today.