Dimitri
BIOGRAPHY DJ DIMITRI The importance of DJ Dimitri for the history of Dutch house music is one that cannot be ignored. Dimitri Knepper’s (1967) music career reads like an encyclopedia. A house encyclopedia. After 23 years of spinning records you could call this DJ a true veteran. Known for his enormous sensitivity, true feeling and mixing skills he gives you the sense you are the voyeur of an intimate act between two lovers. The music and the man. But nobody ever felt and looked so comfortable behind the decks as DJ Dimitri, for he brings the crowd at ease like Don Juan would do with women. When ecstasy is no longer just a word, but a true magical moment as the crowd, the surroundings and the music all come together in one hypnotizing state of happiness. This man knows -or should we say feels- what he is doing, not only behind the decks but also when producing. SUMMARY & HIGH LIGHTS In 1988 Dimitri obtains his first residency at club Richter in Amsterdam and starts spinning in the legendary RoXY, where he distinguishes himself from the rest through his bold and innovative mixing techniques. He is one of the first DJs to mix a house record with breakbeats or drum ‘n bass, proving he is not only capable of mixing those two records together by tempo and rhythm effortlessly, but also just by melody or tune/pitch creating real-time compositions. At that time this was very exciting and groundbreaking, a style that has been copied ever so often, although never truly coming close to the master himself. By 1991 Dimitri spins at all the major (warehouse) parties in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy. He brings out his first record and starts his own label BE.S.T. (Beautiful Soul Techno). The first release on this label was called ‘Alice D in Wonderland’. From 1992 onwards he continues to take over the club world with gigs from Brussels to NYC and from Paris to Detroit, and starts his famous “Hi-tech Soul Movement” club night in RoXY on Thursday nights. People from all over the country come to check out his distinctive taste of records and to hear his ‘no concessions policy’ when choosing music- in which many consider him truly groundbreaking. In the meantime he also starts a new record-label and store, with Eric Nouhan, called Outland Records on which three very successful compilations are released: Static Tracks, that has become a collectors item, and Spiritual Tracks l and ll. He makes instant fame with his record ‘Don’t be a prisoner of your own style’. Dimitri keeps adding more and more countries to his list and with his soulful house sound he is able to impress the likes of international stars as Derrick May & Carl Craig. By 1995 he is voted best club DJ in the Netherlands. The first edition of Chemistry, one of the most successful parties in Amsterdam is being held in the Escape in 1995 where Dimitri is involved as a resident. He also becomes a resident in the U.K. Renaissance Club. In 1996 he is listed number 4 in Muzik Magazine’s International DJ of the Year Competition and in 1998, for four years in a row, he wins the prize of the best DJ in the Netherlands. In 1999 Dimitri performs a self-composed music play together with Hubert Jan Hubeek, the Symphonic Orchestra and video performances of VJ 00Kaap, during Heineken Night Live in Ahoy Rotterdam. And in 2000 he starts a new project with computer artist and VJ Danielle Kwaaitaal called HI&LO. As a duo they exhibit in Art Factory, Tokyo and perform during the Golden Horse Film festival in Taipei. The show is seen in many different galleries throughout Europe and -for example- in Torch Gallery Amsterdam. In 2004 Dimitri travels to the United States to play at the Detroit Movement Festival, the biggest free open-air techno festival in the world where he performs on the main stage. By 2006 he collaborates in a project called ‘Matthäus Passion the remix’ were a few of the country’s best DJs and VJs work together to make an electronic version of Bach’s musical piece. Besides all these gigs and collaborations many Dutch radio stations like Radio 3, Fresh FM and Slam FM ask Dimitri for advice and interviews. After 23 years of playing, in the summer of 2007, he spins his official last record at a big festival called 10 years Meubel Stukken, and ends his DJ career. He starts working as a volunteer with mentally disabled children at a farm. In the mean time he still keeps up to date with the latest releases. Halfway 2009 Dimitri Kneppers installs his studio at home. At june 16th 2010 the legend is back! LIST OF DJ GIGS – Allenby Club, Tel Aviv – Amnesia, Ibiza (residency) – Bogota, Bologna – Cafe d’Anvers, Antwerp – Club Uk, London – Club 20, Ankara – Club Skopje, Macedonia – Cocorico, Ricione – Cocoon club, Frankfurt – Crobar, Chicago – DEMF, Detroit – Dance Valley Festival, The Netherlands – Disney Land, Orlando – Drumclub, London – Dolphin Bay, Eillat – Eillat Ostrich Farm, Eillat – Egg Club, London – El Huayco, Peru – Escape, Amsterdam (residency) – Faces Club, Turkey – Fast Forward Dance Parade, Netherlands – Festival de Nimes, Nimes – Fuse, Brussels – Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville – Hacienda, Manchester – Haoman, Jerusalem – Haoman, Tel Aviv – Hotel Fasso, Crete – Jimmy Woo, Amsterdam (residency) – Ku, Ibiza – Cutie, Helsinki – Lemon Club, Tel Aviv – Liquid Room, Miami – Love Parade, Berlin – Miami Music Conference, Miami – Ministry of Sound, London – Mecca, Prague – Metro Dance Club, Madrid – Metropolis, Reno (USA) – Motorlounge, Detroit – Now & Wow, Rotterdam – Pacha, Ibiza – Privilege, Ibiza – Pure, Edinburgh – Pussy Club, Helsinki – Octopus, Tel Aviv, – Redhead, Melbourne – Renaissance (The Arches), Glasgow – Rex Club, Paris – RoXY, Amsterdam – Roxydust, Prague – Richter, Amsterdam – Sensation, The Netherlands – Space, Ibiza – Space, Miami – Static Soundsystem, Madrid – Subclub, Dublin – Supperclub, Amsterdam – The Industry, Toronto – Taste,Pure, Edinburgh – The End (Mr. C), London – Twilo, New York (Residency) – Ultimate B.A.S.E (Carl Cox), London – Ultra Festival, Miami – West End, L.A. – World Expo, Lisbon – 5 Days Off, Amsterdam – 10 Days Off, Gent – 1015 Folsom, San Francisco – 2x tours Australia & New Zeeland – Several tours in the USA, one with Carl Cox (LA, San Francisco, Atlanta, San Diego, Philadelphia, Boston, Houston, Denver, Toronto, Vancouver)
