Summary

In this Virtual Sessions episode, Martin Eyerer joins host Darran Bruce from Berlin’s Riverside Studios to reflect on his journey as a producer, entrepreneur, and innovator. The conversation begins with his love for Berlin’s vibrant food scene and cultural energy, setting the stage for a deeper look into the city’s unique creative ecosystem. Martin shares the origins of Riverside Studios, which grew from a simple plan for three private studios into a thriving community of over 70 residents spanning music, film, scoring, and technology.

He explains how Riverside became a hub not just for music production but also for collaboration, masterclasses, and partnerships with institutions like NYU’s Clive Davis Institute. The latest addition, The Lab Berlin, expands into creative technology, connecting music with film, gaming, AI, and Web3 startups. Martin emphasizes that this growth wasn’t planned through traditional business models, but through curating a community of like-minded creators driven by passion rather than profit.

The discussion explores how technology continues to reshape the industry. From affordable monitors and room calibration tools to the disruptive rise of AI, Martin argues that adaptability is key. He stresses that producers no longer succeed solely through music quality but must also master branding, marketing, and building audiences. Drawing from past lessons with platforms like MySpace and Facebook, he highlights the importance of spotting trends early and embracing change rather than resisting it.

Finally, Martin shares how fitness, nutrition, and structured routines keep him balanced while running multiple businesses. He underlines that true success comes from curiosity, openness to new ideas, and maintaining mental and physical health. His reflections on Riverside and The Lab show how creative spaces can evolve into global leaders by prioritizing community, innovation, and authenticity.

Topics

0:06 - Reflections on Berlin and its food culture

2:20 - Favorite restaurant Grill Royale, currywurst, and kebabs

6:32 - Creative energy and expansion of Riverside Studios

7:39 - Concept of 27 studios and curating a diverse community

11:33 - Opening The Lab Berlin, a creative tech hub

14:15 - Advice on studio monitors and affordable setups

19:19 - Tools like Sound ID Reference for room calibration

20:50 - How AI is reshaping music and creativity

27:43 - Shifting role of record labels and audience building

33:39 - Oversaturation of releases and challenges for new artists

35:15 - Lessons from MySpace, Facebook, and spotting trends early

40:34 - Disruptions in music and parallels with software and AI

47:47 - Fitness, nutrition, and routines for balance

49:42 - Mental health, podcasts, and lifelong curiosity

53:54 - Favorite podcasts and football fandom

57:04 - Podcasts vs streaming and unique uses of each medium

58:41 - Naming The Lab Berlin and its mission

59:07 - Berlin club culture and privacy on the dancefloor

1:06:36 - Where to learn more about Riverside and The Lab

Call to Action

Discover more about Riverside Studios at riversidestudios.de and explore The Lab Berlin at thelab.berlin. Learn more about Martin’s larger projects at nlnd.com. For exclusive interviews and sessions, visit thedjsessions.com.

 

About Martin Eyerer -

 

Martin Eyerer, a luminary in the electronic music scene, has solidified his status not only through his dynamic DJ sets around the globe but also through an impressive discography of more than 250 releases on various esteemed labels. His profound influence extends beyond performance, deeply rooted in the heart of Berlin's music and creative industries.

 

As co-founder and CEO of Riverside Studios Berlin, Martin has cultivated a leading music studio and creative economy complex. Spanning 3000 sqm in the vibrant area of Berlin-Kreuzberg, this complex, with its 27 state-of-the-art studios, stands as a testament to Martin's commitment to the arts and his visionary approach to fostering creative collaboration.

 

In addition to his impactful work with Riverside Studios, Martin is the visionary founder of the renowned Kling Klong label, guiding it to over 150 releases and establishing a gold standard for innovation and quality in sound. This label has become a beacon for artists seeking a platform that truly values groundbreaking music and artistic integrity.

 

Since stepping into the role of CEO at Factory Berlin in 2018, Martin has seamlessly blended the worlds of music, technology, and startup innovation, creating a vibrant community where ideas and execution converge. His tenure there has been characterized by a unique ability to harmonize diverse musical and technological landscapes, fostering an environment where creativity can flourish.

 

Looking ahead to 2024, Martin is set to continue his influential streak with new tracks slated for release on his Kling Klong label and on Spotify. These projects, including collaborations with esteemed artists such as Namito, Jiggler, Chopstick, Alex Kid, and Craig Walker from Archive, build on the success of his notable track "Turn Turn Turn" featuring Abby.

 

Martin Eyerer's career is a vibrant mosaic of music, innovation, and leadership, marking him as an enduring figure in the global electronic music community and a pioneering force in the creative economy.

 

About The DJ Sessions -

“The DJ Sessions” is a Twitch/Mixcloud "Featured Partner” live streaming/podcast series featuring electronic music DJ’s/Producers via live mixes/interviews and streamed/distributed to a global audience. TheDJSessions.com

The series constantly places in the “Top Ten” on Twitch Music and the “Top Five” in the “Electronic Music", “DJ", "Dance Music" categories. TDJS is rated in the Top 0.11% of live streaming shows on Twitch out of millions of live streamers.

"The DJ Sessions" is listed in the Feedspot directory as one of the Top 60 EDM Podcasts.

It has also been recognized by Apple twice as a "New and Noteworthy” podcast and featured three times in the Apple Music Store video podcast section. UStream and Livestream have also listed the series as a "Featured" stream on their platforms since its inception.

The series is also streamed live to multiple other platforms and hosted on several podcast sites. It has a combined live streaming/podcast audience is over 125,000 viewers per week.

With over 2,700 episodes produced over the last 16 years "The DJ Sessions" has featured international artists such as: Matt Staffanina, BT, Plastik Funk, Redman, Youngr, Dr. Fresch, Ferry Corsten, Robert Owens, Darude, Herbert Holler, Meecah, YORK, Martin Jensen, Sevenn, Amber D, Joey Riot, Drove, Martin Trevy, Thomas Datt, Siryuz & Smoky, Simon Shackleton, SurfingDJ’s, Jacob Henry, Rïa Mehta, <a href="https://www.thedjsessions.com/podcast/vintage-and-morrelli-on-