Adana Twins on DJ Battles, Remixes for Legends, and the Evolution of Their Sound [Interview]

We had the honour of chatting with Benjamin, one half of Adana Twins, the German duo who have have become icons in the Indie Dance scene, known for their seamless blend of deep, dark, and emotionally-charged soundscapes. They’ve recently dropped a deliciously groovy remix of Nelly Furtado’s hit ‘Say It Right’, which you can stream below. With a career that spans over a decade, Adana Twins have captivated dance floors across the world, supported by legends like Pete Tong, Solomun, and Tale Of Us. Their label TAU, launched in 2018, has been a springboard for groundbreaking releases, with tracks like My Computer and Werkzeuge Eines Fernen Willens showcasing their innovative production style. Their collaboration with Watergate earned them a spot on their revered mix series, while their remix of Patrice Bäumel’s ‘Roar’ became a global hit, topping Beatport for nearly two years. With their unique fusion of retro-futurism and relentless club energy, Adana Twins have not only defined their own signature sound but also carved out an undeniable space at the forefront of the global electronic scene, earning them the respect and admiration of both fans and industry giants alike.

Stream their remix of ‘Say It Right’ while you read our insightful interview with Benjamin below. 

Paint us a picture: What sparked your passion for the arts in the first place? Was there a single moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue this path?
It was around 1999. We were all deep into hip-hop, traveling from jam to jam, fully immersed in the culture of its five elements. It felt different back then—no egos, just people united by their love for hip-hop. One element in particular caught our attention: DJing. I was mesmerized every time DJs battled each other, and there was this one local DJ, Tha Joker, who made it to the top three at the DMC Battle. The first time I saw him perform, I knew—I wanted to do this too.

We started meeting regularly for freestyle jams at the “Bunte Haus.” Some friends and I played beats while others freestyled over them. That was the beginning of it all. When I moved to Hamburg, I discovered the world of electronic club music, and I was instantly hooked. That’s also where I met Friso at university. Seeing Boys Noize (then known as Kid Alex) perform was a game-changer—his energy was electric. Then came the Ed Banger era, and watching DJ Mehdi live always left me in awe. I became addicted to the scene, spending every free moment in clubs, absorbing everything and drawing inspiration. I started DJing house music, producing tracks with Friso and friends, and eventually, we launched our own parties. Our first residency was at Neidklub, then Baalsaal, and finally, we ended up at Solomun’s Ego. When we released “Strange” on Exploited, everything exploded overnight, and suddenly, we were touring the world.

When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
It’s always a combination of experiences in the club, my hip-hop background, and the simple question: What would I love to hear on the dancefloor right now? I try not to overthink things when producing—except maybe when it comes to fine-tuning the sound design. Otherwise, getting too cerebral kills the vibe. I focus on having fun in the studio, jamming, and dancing. If the vibe is right, the track usually comes together in one or two sessions. I avoid referencing too much and just go with what excites me at the moment. That approach has always worked best for me. When the energy is there, everything else follows naturally.

What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
I own quite a bit of analog gear, but honestly, I do almost everything digitally, whether on my couch at home or in the studio. My go-to tools are Ableton, Serum, Repro-5, Roland Cloud, Soundtoys, FabFilter, and UAD plugins. I also love Tracklib and Splice—they’re essential for my workflow. Recently, I picked up Trackspacer, and I’m blown away by how well it creates space in the mix. It’s a fantastic tool.

What’s your go-to ritual or trick for getting into the creative zone?
I have just one ritual: Every morning, when I step into the studio, I light an incense stick or Palo Santo. Then, I power up my computer and speakers, make a coffee and some muesli, and I’m ready to go. Pretty unspectacular, right? But the key thing is working fast. If something takes too long or gets too complicated, I usually set it aside. Otherwise, the vibe gets lost, and the result feels forced.

What’s the one item you always keep within arm’s reach while creating or performing?
In the studio, it’s my incense sticks. When DJing, it’s obviously the CDJs. But I don’t have any strict rituals or must-have items. If the crowd is vibing, everything just flows naturally.

How did you ultimately end up defining your sound?
Defining a sound is always tricky. But if I had to pinpoint it, I’d say it’s shaped by years of experience in clubs—both as a DJ and as a listener—combined with the influences of my surroundings and all the music I come across daily. Through experimenting and producing, certain sounds emerge that feel unique to us. Those elements become the glue that holds everything together. Whether a track leans more towards indie dance or, like ‘Nelly’, has an Afro-house vibe, you can always tell it’s an Adana Twins production.

How has your creative process or perspective shifted since you started your journey?
It’s constantly evolving. In the beginning, we played and produced much harder, heavily influenced by the Ed Banger sound. Over time, things became deeper and more refined. Eventually, our tempo increased again, leaning more toward indie and melodic styles. It always depends on our environment and what’s inspiring us at the moment. But despite trends shifting—especially post-COVID, with everything getting faster—we’ve stayed true to our core sound. Sure, we explore house, Afro, or indie elements, but the essence of Adana Twins has remained consistent over the years. We can still put our name on every track without feeling like we’ve compromised who we are.

Walk us through a recording session: what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had in the studio?
One standout moment was when we created the bassline and lead sequence for ‘My Computer’. I instantly knew it had something special—the sound and melody triggered something in me that I hadn’t heard before. When Glowal added the vocals, everything clicked. I think we ended up making something every producer dreams of: a timeless classic that people will still enjoy 20 years from now.

Are there any unexpected or dream collaborations hidden in your work?
Of course! If Daft Punk, The Weeknd, or Tame Impala ever called, we’d be there in a heartbeat. Haha!

Any side projects you’re working on?
Two years ago, I launched my solo project, Ben Evers. It allows me to experiment and explore ideas I wouldn’t necessarily use for Adana Twins. It’s been incredibly fun and has actually made me more creative in Adana Twins productions as well. I’ve released tracks on Permanent Vacation, Live At Robert Johnson, Correspondant, and my boutique label, Eternal Sunshine, which I started specifically for this project. I’ve been lucky to have amazing remixers like Jex Opolis, Massimiliano Pagliara, Maruwa, and Man Power on board.

Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
Aaaron. His sound is incredible, and I hope he gets the breakthrough he truly deserves.

What’s the strangest or most surprising song currently on your playlist?
Shakira – ‘Waka Waka’. My kids are obsessed with it, so it even made it to the top of my Spotify Wrapped last year. Haha!

Which song, album, or playlist do you never get sick of, no matter how many times you listen to it?
Without a doubt, ‘Can’t Buy A Thrill’ by Steely Dan. What a masterpiece.

Are there any unexpected hobbies or projects you’re exploring outside of your main work?
Boxing. I never thought I’d be in a gym regularly, but boxing has become a passion. Dropping my kids off at school on Monday morning and heading straight to training grounds me and sets the tone for the week after a tour weekend. I’ve found an amazing trainer—a former kickboxing world champion with a huge heart—and the sense of community at the gym is incredible. I’m even tempted to step into the ring, but my wife has put a firm stop to that. Haha!

If your life and career were an album, what would its title be, and what’s the hidden track only your fans would know?
The album title would be Up & Down, and the secret track would be ‘Everything is possible’.

Give us a glimpse into the future – what surprises or milestones are coming up for you this year?
Our remix for Nelly Furtado is massive – nothing bigger than that right now. The fact that I grew up listening to her makes it even more special. We also have a remix for Röyksopp featuring Robyn in the pipeline. Remixing legends like them is always an honor.

Famous last words?
A huge thank you to everyone for your amazing support over the years. Hopefully, we’ll see each other soon on a dancefloor somewhere in the world!

Follow Adana Twins:

Website – Spotify – Soundcloud – Instagram – Facebook