Germany
ILSE, born in 1973 as Stephan Ilse in Hamburg, has become a staple in the Psytrance scene. Infected with the "psychedelic virus" during his alternative service in 1991, his life took a transformative turn. Realizing that a conventional job as a commercial assistant, his formal training, wouldn’t bring him happiness, he dove deeper into the world of Psytrance parties and festivals, eventually deciding to share his vision of the genre at smaller events.
Germany's Psytrance scene is vast, spanning nearly every subgenre, and ILSE quickly found his place within it. Despite living in a region dominated by the progressive community, he carved out his own niche. As a regular contributor to the renowned Mushroom Magazine, he wrote reviews for labels known for acid-driven, high-quality Psytrance and penned articles about artists and festivals. His mission? To reintroduce the magazine to its true psychedelic roots.
ILSE’s DJ sets are crafted for the acid-loving nighttime crowd, earning him gigs alongside many renowned acts, including a memorable performance at the Boom Festival in 2006. True to the trippy essence of Psytrance, his style is versatile, embracing a wide range of sounds. His sets can feature deep, groovy morning tunes or dark, acid-heavy nighttime tracks – as long as the "trip factor" remains front and center.
With his passion, versatility, and deep connection to Psytrance culture, ILSE is a pivotal figure in the scene, seamlessly blending tradition with innovation in every performance.
