MODERN FUNKTION x MIXMAG NL

How did the idea of starting Modern Funktion first come to you and what the brand is all about?

Phill de Janeiro & Benji King - We met at uni, and we both shared a love for underground music and wanted to give ourselves and the upcoming talent around us an opportunity in a very clicky industry. Modern Funktion champions homegrown talent in the underground music scene. We are committed to pushing the next generation of artists through our events by allowing them to perform alongside world-class selectors. Our ethos, "a party from the people to the people," reflects our love and devotion to the dancefloor, with our journey having started on the dancefloor itself.

Talk us through some of your influences and inspirations.

Phill de Janeiro - I have always been drawn to house music from a very young age, despite coming from a country (Brazil) where electronic music wasn't popular. My earliest memory of enjoying house music was when my dad would put on this CD called 'Summer electro hits' and he'd play Bob Siclair's - World Hold On' & 'Love Generation' whilst driving to the beach, imagining what a summer in Ibiza would feel like. My house inspirations come from the likes of Kerri Chandlers, Dam Swindle, Chez Damier, Garrett David, Brawther as well and a lot of the UKG sounds too, Jeremy Sylvester, Todd Edwards, Tuff Jamm and more.

Benji King - Music has always been a major staple in my life. Growing up listening to salsa, funk, soul, R&B, and 90s hip-hop, my parents’ musical tastes significantly influenced my upbringing. I believe these elements opened my eyes to dive deep into electronic music and experience the sounds of early UK garage, jungle, and dubstep. These genres laid the foundation that led me to house and techno music. Artists such as Todd Edwards, Wookie, Sticky, Tuff Jam, DJ Bone, Jesse Saunders, and Ron Hardy are some of the artists I looked up to while building my record collection and developing my sound.

How does it feel to bring Modern Funktion to ADE for the first time? Tell us a bit more about how it all came together.

Phill de Janeiro - It's honestly a dream! I remember always wanting to go to ADE and after visiting last year for work it became a goal of mine to bring the brand over to showcase our sound and what we are about in a very important platform or dance music.

Benji King - We are absolutely over the moon to be bringing the brand to Amsterdam—a city so amazing and vibrant, full of culture. This was one of my dreams when I started Modern Funktion: to host an event at ADE, where many successful brands perform every year. Being part of that experience is something special, especially with the group of DJs we have assembled for this show. I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to play at ADE in Amsterdam; it truly feels like a dream come true.

What's the most important thing about throwing parties and how do you two keep things fresh and exciting?

Phill de Janeiro - For me, it's all about keeping things simple: great music, being surrounded by like-minded individuals and championing new talent alongside some world-class DJs. That for me it's the essence of throwing sick parties.

Benji King - The most important aspect of throwing parties is creating an atmosphere where guests feel comfortable, engaged, and excited to connect with one another. It’s all about fostering a sense of community and ensuring everyone feels included. To keep things fresh and exciting, we focus on a few key elements: curated experiences, freedom of expression, and good music.

Tell us a bit more about your connection with Amsterdam and if you could describe the city in one record, what would it be?

Phill de Janeiro - I've been visiting Amsterdam for years religiously, it's one of my favourite cities in Europe. I've always been obsessed with its scene and a lot of the artists and music that's come out of Amsterdam over the last few years. It's a hard one but a fond memory of mine is watching Tristan da Cunha and DJ Senc dropping 'De Bos - On The Run (Mac & Macario mix) at Bret and it blew the roof off. I was feeling super inspired afterwards so I guess that one?

Benji King - My recent connection with Amsterdam began at ADE last year when I attended my very first Slap Funk party at Bret. It was incredible; you couldn’t get me away from the dancefloor. The vibes were unmatched from start to finish. You can safely say that people know how to party in Amsterdam—I’ll give them that! A song that always comes to mind, which describes Amsterdam best for me, is Samuel Deep’s "Djoembat." Every time I hear that track, it takes me back to Bret.

The future - tell us a bit more about what you guys have in store for the future of the brand

Phill de Janeiro & Benji King - I think for us it's been a really enjoyable experience, we've grown organically over the last few years and built something special, the idea is to keep that going and focus on building our community and staying true to ourselves. We're working on some tour dates for next year across the UK & EU, it would be nice to see new places and explore new cultures whilst doing what we love and bringing a bit of our sound and culture to these places.

Thanks,

Filipe