The Checkup: I can’t wait to see and meet all the house heads in Zagreb!

The Checkup is coming to our Dobar House Berlin Edition on the 18th of February!

The Checkup and Luca Olivotto are coming to Zagreb for the first time, both dedicated representatives of modern house sound with a Berlin signature.
The Checkup's sets, which are synonymous with energetic house whether it be new or old, tell a tale that makes him known throughout the world. Raphael is also a vinyl enthusiast, always on the lookout for rare 90s house in whatever corner of the world he finds himself. And 2022 saw him in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, a tour in South America, and on home soil, he is a regular at Sisyphos, About Blank, Watergate, and Wilde Renate, where he is a resident at Paradise Garage Hommage events.

He released his music on Nervous Records, META, Large Music, Toy Tonics, Kerri Chandler's Madhouse, and his own Heat Up Music, and his remix for Dobar House is coming soon.

We are happy to welcome you to Zagreb very soon! Have you ever been to Zagreb, and will this be your first gig here?

The Checkup: Never been and am so thrilled to have my debut for Dobar House. My very good friend Riva Starr told me it was epic and I can’t wait!

What was the motivation behind starting Heat Up, and how did the label progress and grow over the years? What are some of your favorite releases on Heat Up?

The Checkup: Well after having some relative success with the Checkup, I wanted to create a space to give light and visibility to new artists as well as release my own music. I’ve always wanted to A&R a label and combine with my taste in music and also the ability to work with super talented artists. Some of my favorite releases would be from Max Telaer, Elisa Elisa & Dj Merci, to name a few of course, as I love all the releases!

Speaking of favorites, what's your favorite production?

The Checkup: I think my collaboration with Ale Castro “Pleasure” has to be my current favourite. That was such a nice project and so happy with the result! 

We hear you like to collect and play vinyl. What is it about vinyl that just can't be replaced by CDJs?

The Checkup: Mostly 90s house and tech house that I cannot find on digital. I love this sound, the OG NY and NJ House and a lot of the time I cannot find it except on vinyl. But also I love playing vinyl and spending the time digging. It’s really fun and I think it’s a great way to develop your taste and music knowledge, especially on the history and older labels. I simply love vinyl.

You just got back from a big tour, and we would like to hear more about it! What did you eat, how are the venues, and what gigs were special? Give us the whole thing!

The Checkup: What didn’t I eat is probably the question. Ha ha. I ate a lot... From traditional foods to Seafood and a lot of tacos! 
I have to say the whole tour was special and every single venue was really something of it’s own. I played on Pirate ship in Panama, to some of the best clubs in South America, Lost Beach club, Salon Amador, Antik Club and really I feel absolutely blessed to have had this opportunity. Really incredible energy in South America, and I just love it. I am planning another tour in November. The most special thing is being able to play my own music and have a really nice reception and feedback from the crowds. It’s priceless.

Upsides and downsides of touring?

The Checkup: Well, to be really honest, it’s very very tiring and sometimes I have found myself lacking sleep and getting mild anxiety, and it made me realise how mental health is so important and a real thing amongst DJs and people living this lifestyle. I really don’t know how some of these DJs do 200+ gigs a year, it’s pretty mental. The updside is you get to discover new people, new places, new dance floors and can share your music. Often I think it’s music that is new to the people’s ear so it’s really nice to be able to share this. I really love it.

In Europe, you played all over, London, Amsterdam, Paris...What city/gig was most memorable to you and why?

The Checkup: Every gig is always very memorable, but I got to say, Sisyphos, Wintergarten always wins. It’s in Berlin and I got the chance to play there a few times last summer and I had an absolute blast. Nothing compares!

If you would have to listen to one album for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?

The Checkup: Uff… Probably A Bob Marley album, because it never gets old, it’s the best music, and I love reggae!

Since you are based in Berlin, tell us about the scene you are a part of there. As Berlin is very famous for its techno culture, and pretty much all the electronic music genres you can think of, how's the scene right now for house music?

The Checkup: I think that after covid, there has been a huge movement and community behind house music and a lot of people have come together to build, and revive and improve the culture in Berlin. There are a lot of house parties now, and a lot of insanely good DJs. I’m privileged to be in a position where I can book lineups for some super cool house parties, as well as contribute and be part of other parties from friends and the house community. I’m happy how it’s developing and I know that 2023 is going to be a really big one for house in Berlin.

In Zagreb you will be playing alongside your good friend Luca Olivotto. How did you guys meet and do you perform a lot together when in Berlin?

The Checkup: Well, we both swiped right on tinder, and it was love at first sight! 😛 Just kidding ! hahah. 
We met via a mutual friend of ours who runs on of the best blogs and premiere channel “Berlin House Music” and we clicked immediately. It’s been super awesome to share the same passion and special moments together. We are definitely collaborating and doing things together this year and really looking forward to it. And i can’t miss to mention he is an insane producer, and I wish I was as good as him hahah.

A message for your present and future fans in Zagreb.

The Checkup: Super excited to share my vibe and story and seeing how the people react to my interpretation of house music. I like to play all sorts of shades of house and can’t wait to see and meet house heads in Zagreb. It’s pretty funny because my little 18 year old cousin is studying abroad there for a semester, so he will be able to join, and that’s really something special as well!

Dobar House Berlin Edition, tickets available here!