BERLINCIAGAY #3 – BOYCA

Interview

1. How have you been lately? What have you been working on – sets, productions, remixes, podcasts, tours, or residencies? This year, a lot of things happened that made me truly happy. I became a resident at an established party called Gegen, which also gave me the opportunity to play gigs outside of Germany, an amazing experience that left me wanting more. I also released two EP’s on Tom Peters’ label is serving and am currently working on more music that will come out there as well. On top of that, I recorded three podcasts (BCCO, GEGEN, BERLINCIAGAY). All of this filled me with so much positive energy and motivates me to keep creating the music I love.
2. The mix you recorded for us: how and where was it recorded – and what was the idea behind it? The mix was recorded at Tom Peters’ home, where we spent a cozy afternoon and he made me a homemade matcha wich i loved. The idea behind it was to share my personal taste in music and my mixing style, and also to give a glimpse of new, unreleased material I’ve been working on. You can even hear one of these tracks in the mix – it will be released soon on is serving.
3. Did you include any of your own productions into the set? If yes – what’s the story behind them? I included one of my earliest productions, “Angry,” which I released under my real name in 2021 and which is still one of my personal favorites. The track has a very aggressive, “angry” energy that represents an important part of my techno sound. I often draw inspiration from horror movie aesthetics, and that influence is clearly reflected in this track. I also played one of my new productions, “Hornysha,” which will be released soon. The title comes from a nickname one of my friends jokingly gave me – for reasons you can probably imagine. Since I incorporated some vocal samples from a Porn movie, the name fit the vibe of the track perfectly.
4. You worked as a technician before – how does that experience affect how you approach DJing, production or sound design? Working as a technician gave me a unique inside view of the techno and queer scene, and it shaped me in a really profound way. Especially my time as a lighting technician had a huge impact on me. I was creating light shows for DJs who, in many cases, were actually my biggest inspirations growing up. Being so close to their performances didn’t just motivate me – it helped me develop my own artistic mindset and made me feel deeply connected to the techno community and the music itself. I had already started DJing and later producing before I ever worked as a technician, but those years behind the scenes changed me the most. It was honestly one of the most meaningful phases of my life, full of moments and emotions that still influence who I am today. Spending long nights running lights allowed me to study an incredible range of mixing styles from different artists, and that exposure gave me so many ideas. A lot of the inspiration I gathered back then continues to shape my sound today.
5. Who are your inspirations musically? When it comes to techno, there are a few artists who had a major influence on me during my early years in the scene. Jeff Mills, Luke Slater, Surgeon, Regis, Dj Rush, Oscar Mulero, Inigo Kennedy, The Advent, Joey Beltram, Chris Liebing, Speedy J, Ben Sims, Truncate and many more. They shaped the way I understand and feel techno today. At the same time, I didn’t grow up with techno alone. My musical roots are pretty broad: hip-hop, electro, funk, R&B – all of these genres were part of my upbringing and helped form my overall taste. But no matter how wide my influences are, my heart has always been with techno. It’s the genre that resonates with me the most and the one I feel the strongest connection to.
6. You live in Berlin – what excites you most about living and working in this city right now? I’ve been living in Berlin again for a year now. Before that, I spent four years back in my hometown to ground myself. Coming back to Berlin feels like a fresh start for me – with new impressions and a different perspective on a city that has always felt like home. I now have a beautiful, cozy apartment where I can really focus on my productions. Something quite special that I often do in the evenings is get into my car once it’s dark, drive through the city, and listen to techno. At night, Berlin has its own atmosphere, and discovering it from behind the wheel gives me a completely new sense of the city. Driving here gives me a unique feeling of life. It inspires me, motivates me, and somehow connects me even more deeply to my music.
7. How do you build meaningful connections within the Berlin gay scene? To be honest, this is a complex topic for me, because I’ve experienced both very positive and very challenging sides of it. Over the past few years, I’ve built some truly meaningful connections that I hold very close to my heart. At the same time, I’ve also encountered jealousy, competitiveness, and disappointment within the gay scene. Still, the positive experiences outweigh the negative ones, and I try to keep the people who uplift me and give me a good feeling close in my life, nurturing those friendships. Especially within our community, it’s so important to have people around us who feel like home, people who create a safe space and are there for one another. Whether it’s a romantic relationship or a close friendship, maintaining those bonds in a big city like Berlin can be difficult. The gay scene has become quite fast-paced, and in my opinion, that can make things even more challenging, especially if you’re trying to build a stable circle of friends or even a committed relationship within the Berlin techno-gay scene. In the end, my takeaway is this: I build meaningful connections with people who support me, respect me, uplift me, and share positive energy – connections that are based on mutual appreciation and authenticity.
8. Mental health is a big topic in nightlife – how do you manage it while working as a DJ/producer? For me, mental health is a major topic, especially in nightlife. What helps me the most is staying physically active. I work out regularly, not only to take care of my body but also to clear my mind and create balance in my daily life. Fitness has become a kind of anchor for me, without that outlet, I think I would struggle a lot more with my mental well-being. Sport gives me structure, stability, and a healthy routine, which is incredibly important when you’re working in an environment that can be chaotic, intense, and emotionally demanding.
9. Looking back over this year: what was a special highlight for you, and why? One of my biggest highlights this year was Tom Peters giving me the opportunity to release two EPs on his label, is serving. I’m endlessly grateful for that. From the very beginning, Tom believed in my new project BOYCA, and that belief gave me so much motivation and stability at a time when I really needed it. Another milestone was being offered a residency at Gegen, after Fabio and Marius discovered my music. Thanks to them, I was able to play multiple gigs this year in Berlin and abroad – and I’m truly honored. I was welcomed into the Gegen family with so much warmth that I developed a real emotional connection to the collective. It feels like home to me now. What makes all of this even more special is that everything happened in such an authentic, organic, and truly REAL way. Both Tom and Fabio reached out to me because they genuinely connected with my music and saw potential in what I do. That kind of honesty means a lot to me. I’m incredibly happy about how things have unfolded, and I can’t wait to play more events, grow as an artist, and keep doing what I love.
10. At the heart of this event series (BERLINCIAGAY) is a vision of gay community and club culture. What does safe space mean to you? For me, a safe space is created by places and people who allow me to be myself without facing judgment for my appearance, identity, or sexual orientation. It’s a space where you can move freely, express yourself openly, and not worry about being pointed at or criticized. A place where you are welcomed with open arms, almost like a real family. Unfortunately, over the past few years, I’ve also witnessed a lot of internalized homophobia within the community, which has been really disheartening. I truly hope this will change again. That’s why, for me, a safe space also means being surrounded by people who don’t bring that kind of energy into my life. A safe space is built on mutual support, care, and stability. Anything else doesn’t reflect the essence of a safe space – especially when I find myself having to justify certain topics within our own community, which has happened to me more than once. I believe we need more understanding for one another. Many people are still in the middle of their own personal processes, dealing with societal pressure or internal struggles, and that shapes how they behave. Everyone has their own reasons for being where they are right now, even if they haven’t reached the point they want to be yet.