JAN LIEFHEBBER Einstellungen

[thewulf]

JAN LIEFHEBBER
http://www.highlandbeats.com

(IMG:http://www.highlandbeats.com/img/jan/jan1.gif)

BIOGRAPHIE

After spending his youth all over the world from Germany to Iran Jan Liefhebber finally settled in Nijmegen aged 15. Having developed a love of electronic music at an early age he spent all his pocket money on eps from Kraftwerk and EBM bands like Front 242.

Jan started putting together mix tapes improvising with a tape recorder and an old record player which he had adapted to pitch tracks. He was soon asked to DJ at a friend’s birthday party and shortly after got his first gigs as resident of the dance night at a local club.

As time went on Jan’s style got harder and harder reflecting his new fascination; acid. He was asked to “play more hits” at the discotheque and promptly quit.

From 1993-1995 Jan was involved with a local pirate radio station called Radio Aktiv. He hosted his own program called Underground Bunker together with Jacco and Huub from AUXAR.

The program built up quite a following and featured music from the likes of the Harthouse label, Frankfurt, and trax from artists like Hardfloor and Acid Junkies. When the plug was pulled and the turntables confiscated Jan put all his energy into organising free parties.

Finding a legitimate location willing to host a techno party was really difficult at the time so Jan and a friend decided to go for it anyway: with or without permission. After finding a suitable location they often had to break in and sleep there for a while in order to obtain some kind of right to be there. Flyers were spread out, camouflage nets and strobes hung up, sound system set up and the party could begin.

Jan organised these parties under the name Equivalence from 1995-2000 and sporadic parties still take place..

The time spent at Radio Aktiv also spawned a new project:
Highland Beats.

Jan set up the label in 1995 after hearing tracks made by his friends JEHFX. What started off as a fun project to support some mates soon turned into a calling.

The first release was a massive success in the Dutch underground scene and was played grey wherever you came.
HB002 featured acid tracks by the duo LAP01 from Groningen and HB003 was another hit by JEHFX.

It looked as if nothing could stand in the way of this innovative new label unto Jan encountered distribution problems almost leading to insolvency. This problem was solved by throwing parties to raise cash for the next release.

At the time it was inconceivable that Highland Beats would go on to feature some of the world’s leading techno artists but it has developed into a respected and prestigious forum for the best techno.
Artists such as Lasse Steen/DK, Laura Grabb/US and Cyborg X (Chris and Julian Liberator/UK) have released on Highland Beats. The label has developed into the leading Dutch techno label and prestigious international artists have already left their mark on Highland Beats including Glenn Wilson, Ignition Technician, Michael Burkat (Audio), Lars Klein and there are new imprints lined up from Jan himself, Andreas Kremer as well as remix projects by Redhead and Misstress Barbara.

Jan has expanded his activities with a new project: BODY ART FORM COMMUNICATIONS a new label designed to bring out funkier techno by artists like DJ Hansz, resident at Doornroosje, Nijmegen and Glenn Wilson. The new sublabel Klirfactor has become a simile for harder techno.


Jan combines his experience in organising parties with Highland Beats once a year at Doornroosje, Nijmegen/NL. The annual label party showcases artists from the label as well as special guests. Chris Liberator, Lasse Steen, Danny Casseau, Pounding Grooves, Glenn Wilson, Mike Humphries, Laura Grabb and many others have performed there.


An integral part of the Highland Beats parties is, of course, his own sets. Jan has built up a following by staying true to his techno roots blowing you away with his stomping sets. Listen to recent releases and you will hear what you can expect from him; pure pounding techno!

Jan has an impressive repertoire; his talent was picked up on in 1996 by Ellen Allien, Brain Candy, Berlin, who booked Jan for an interview and set on Kiss FM during the Love Parade weekend in Berlin. Ellen now enjoys international success with her label Bpitch Control.

Jan has played at venues all around Holland; and is consided as the unnoficial resident in Doornroosje, Nijmegen. Other gigs include;
The Hedon, Zwolle; Ekko, Utrecht; Catacomb, Amsterdam; Repetitiehuis, Amsterdam, Backstage, Maastricht; Platform, Groningen; Dynamo, Eindhoven, Axl, Utrecht; Funki Bizznizz, Eindhoven; Diogenes, Nijmegen; Goudvishal, Arnhem; Groene Engel, Oss; De Heilige Zueg, Amsterdam, B2, Eindhoven, Reclaim the Streets, Utrecht; Legalize, Amsterdam; and many many more.

Apart from appearing on Kiss FM, Jan has also appeared regularly at clubs abroad.

His style is very popular in the UK and he has played several times at venues like The Marcus Garvey centre, the Lenton and the Old Angel in Nottingham. He has also played at legendary clubs The Orbit (Leeds) and The House of God (Birmingham). He also plays regularly in Germany. Recent gigs have taken place in Bremen , Düsseldorf (At the famous Union Rave parties where he has become a regular act), Noerdlingen City Move and Berlin.

Jan is still doing what he loves most; Djing and running his labels. After having worked as head of import/export for the techno dept. of Rotterdam based distribution Triple Vision he decided to open his record shop, Dataflow, which attracts DJs from all over the world for its wide selection of techno and electro.

Jan is now busy producing and will soon appear on Andreas Kremer's label Life Form, Skull Tunes, Highland Beats, Klirfactor and Body Art Form. He will also soon be broadcasting live from Radio Sunshine (the guys with the inflatable baby on the truck at the Love Parade) and has mixed the next CD for Toptrax, Schranz Total as well as a mix CD "Into the machine" for Triple Vision.