Rafael Da Cruz

Rafael Da Cruz is a DJ and producer whose work embraces atmospheric techno and deep, wide soundscapes with a sleek sense for the contemporary Zeitgeist. He is a resident DJ at Cologne's renowned Gewölbe Club since 2012. He has toured across Europe, South America and Asia. Following his first record in 2014, he has released several EP's, as well as radio mixes for the likes of well-known series like Ibiza Sonica, Moodmusic Radioshow, Underground Tel Aviv and others. Born in a rural area in the north of Portugal, Rafael Da Cruz grew up as a ‘90s kid near Cologne in Germany and has been dedicated to music ever since he was a teenager. He began working in music journalism as soon as he left school, then went on to make a name for himself as a DJ and producer. Hosting parties and his “Right To Love” night soon led to a residency at Gewölbe, where he has invited national and international friends to play ever since. An emblematic night might see him open with a gentle set, whose sound is incorporated in an organic base, before coming back to close the night with straight-up elements, rounded off with a sweeter vibe to the end. His 2014 release “Renaissance” on the legendary Bavarian imprint Compost Records was followed by “Rex” in 2015, which included an outstanding remix from André Lodemann. The next few years saw him extend his discography with labels including Moodmusic, ISOLATE, and Berlin-based DUATRECORDS. Recent tracks “Bes” and “Saqqara” are pared-down and nuanced, witnessing to the same deep reflection and careful attention to the sonic journey that he brings to his sets. Accustomed to the vibrant international club scene, Rafael Da Cruz has been using the lockdown to carve out more time for production and composing with different musicians, and for his latest collaborative project, “Ona Sonora” - a series of holistic travel experiences across Europe and North Africa combining electronic music, nature, and rituals. He is currently based in Berlin.