New York native Deepak Sharma is a Techno DJ and producer. In addition he is also the co-owner of Hidden Recordings along with his production and bussiness partner Dieter Krause. Currently Deepak and Dieter will be working on their debut artists album due to be released on Hidden Recordings. They will begin working on the album in September with an expected due date of late 2009 or early 2010.

What is the first track that introduced you to Techno?

I always loved the deeper and more melodic sounds and I remember working at a record store and always gravitating toward some of the Force Inc tracks, but the artist that I first turned me onto techno was Funk D'Void, Terry Lee Brown Jr, and the whole warmer music that was coming out of Berlin. Just very deep and groovy and more musical - I didn't really know I was listening to techno until somebody told me it was labeled as techno!

How did you first meet Dieter Krause?

I released a mix compilation worldwide for a lounge in Brooklyn named Boogaloo back in 2004. On the mix was a track named "Cherchez Moi" from a Cologne imprint named Plong, and produced by Laplaceausoleil. About a year after the mix was out, I received an email from Dieter who told me he was a part of Laplaceausoleil (along with partner, Frank Hellmond) complimenting me on the mix and thanking me for the use of the track. We began to strike up conversations on all different types of music and became good friends. Towards the end of 2005, we spoke of producing music together, and a few days after that initial conversation, I booked my flight to Germany to work in the studio with Dieter. The progression to producing together was very natural, comfortable and made sense as our friendship continued to grow.

Is there anything interesting going on at Hidden Recordings?

YES - Always! This is a great time to 'get to know' Hidden Recordings. Our efforts over the past few years seem to be paying off this year as we've been getting a lot of support globally, and even graced the cover of the April issue of DJ Times with an article inside on the label and myself. We are also seeing more and more support from well established techno artists which lends itself to the quality of the productions and artists we are releasing, including DJs/artists such as Ambivalent, Argenis Brito, Butane, Pier Bucci, Noah Pred, Maetrik, Alexi Delano to name a few. We have been slow and steady, but I think that approach is best for us as we want each release to be as perfect as possible! In general, there seems to be a real excitement around the label with feedback on releases and from consistent fans who continue to support and the growing number of supporters.

The biggest news is Dieter and I are going to undergo our biggest project to date, which is an artist album, and we'll begin in September and hopefully release in late '09 or early '10. It will consist of 12-14 original productions complete with remixes from invited artists. So far we have one confirmed remixer and a few others have expressed interest. Definitely stay tuned for more on that project.

Other notable projects that we have upcoming are a remix for Noah Pred's Thoughtless label out of Toronto, which will be produced by Jamie Kidd and scheduled to be released in the Fall, along with a feature release of Brooklyn's Gregory Shiff. Another project worth mentioning is Dieter and I are also going to be remixing one of Gregory's tracks for an upcoming Vacationist release. Besides all of that, we are also speaking with a few new artists to release on the label for 2010, but we are tentative with agreements, so no need to jinx that here.

Which artists on the label have forthcoming releases?

There are a few artists we are speaking with for 2010, but it's still too early to reveal whom. The new artist we are featuring in the fall is Brooklyn's Gregory Shiff, who runs his own Vacationist label and has released previously from labels such as Persona in Berlin. Included in the release will be a remix from Dieter Krause and myself along with two other artists that we'll keep, well, hidden for the moment.

Are you actively scouting new talent?

Yes absolutely. We are constantly listening to demos and contrary to most labels, we actually listen to them and provide feedback! Our selection process is definitely rigid, but that's only because we want to believe in the artist 100% and have that artist really want to be a part of Hidden Recordings.

What is your equipment of preference in the studio?

Ableton 8 is a fantastic program, especially when working with a partner as it now allows you to share files much easier. It's a very user-friendly program, which just made collaborating much more streamlined.

Which venues do you like to frequent in New York when you aren't performing?

I enjoy the warehouse party with the secret location (it's almost always in Brooklyn). Those parties are growing and are amazing because it's basically a rave, in the modern day, with all the laws and regulations, but somehow they pull it off! They are raw, underground and have an element of debauchery that we all love in NY. In terms of venues, to listen to proper techno I enjoy Rebel (where I played with Paco Osuna for Save the Cannibals in April) as it has a nice sound system and very underground vibe. And even though I have a quarterly label night at Bar 13, I enjoy going there when

I'm not playing, especially on the rooftop on Sunday's to listen to some great DJs. The venue always seems to hold a great vibe. I recently went to Love for the Minus party, and even though the room is smaller in nature, it carries itself like a big room with great lights and that booming sound system. Finally, I recently checked out a cool little space name stay, where you have to go downstairs into the basement and approach the bouncer sitting by a wall where you can hear music on the other side. Play your cards right, and the door opens to an amazing bar where I've heard some great techno.

Did you enjoy performing at the Forecastle Festival? Can you share some of the highlights?

Yes, I enjoyed it and Forecastle was an amazing experience because it shows that even in smaller markets, if done well, techno has an audience in the States. But on a personal level, it meant a lot because I was able to experience a behind the scenes look at a festival. I also love the Black Crowes and Widespread Panic, and being outside listening to live music will always be dear to my heart. The electronic music crowd and the hippies who were at Forecastle were one in the same, and all loved the music. The Resonant Vibes crew who booked me for the festival were amazing hosts - which any DJ will tell you can really make or break a gig. Finally, I loved seeing my name on the t-shirt along with all the great bands and other DJs who played the festival!

Of the artists you have performed with and alongside which are the most fun to work with? I've been blessed with sharing the bill with DJs such as Loco Dice, Paco Osuna, Davide Squillace and I enjoyed watching their approach to how they DJ - they are all really focused. When I DJed with John Acquaviva in Belgium, I was impressed with just how serious he takes his gigs - it's almost seems like on a "corporate" level with how structured he is for his night. I enjoyed playing Vertigo in Costa Rica with Halo, who is a really cool and laid back.

What are you top five tracks at the moment?

I'll take this question one step further and share my August Mid-Summer

Chart on Juno with you:

http://www.junodownload.com/charts/dj/671064-Deepak_Sharma/301146-Chart/

All are great choices but if I had to choose five from here, they would be:

1. Pablo Bolivar - Looking for a Shape (Hidden Recordings, USA)

2. Rene Breitbarth - Close Under Me (Regular Label, Spain)

3. Gui Boratto - No Turning Back (The Mole's MMD Rmx) (Kompakt, Germany)

4. Grunbox - Lyon (Trapez, Germany)

5. Onur Azer - Innvervoice (Isolee Rmx) (Vakant, Germany)

What are your main goals for this year?

To follow-through and complete the projects we have started so far this year, and get a head-start on the artist album and line-up next year's releases. I also want to continue to reach out to new artists and meet like-minded people in techno with the hopes of maybe working together one day. It's a small world, and we all need to be working together. The label has grown a lot and I want to keep that momentum moving forward. It's been great to see and feel, so why slow down now.

What advice would you give an aspiring producer or DJ?

Be persistent and don't be discouraged. Always follow-through on your projects, and think of it as your career, not anybody else's so if you want to it to progress, you have to make it happen. Produce music for the love of music and the euphoria of what a solid session in the studio can do your for your soul. As a DJ, always enjoy the moment, and play your current gig like its your last. And always say thank you to those who enjoy your music and sets - it's funny how music sounds better from people who you like.

Who are some artists that you would like to work with in the future?

A few artists I admire and would love to work with in the future include Ambivalent, Alexi Delano, Maetrik, Argenis Brito, Paco Osuna, Barem, And ID, Rene Breitbarth and Guti - I think they have a special touch with how they make music.

Can you tell us about any upcoming events where you will be performing?

I have a busy August with playing the Hijack party in Pittsburgh, and then coming back to NY the next day to play the rooftop at Bar 13. Later in the month is the Hidden Recordings Residency Night at Bar 13 on August 14^th, which I always love to prepare for because that night's focus is on the label and helping people become more and more aware of the label. Finally, I'm booked to play the Clinic party hosted by Mnmlife in Washington DC who have thrown some massive parties, of which I had the pleasure of playing their kick-off party in January. I hope my return with be as triumphant!

Would you like to comment on anything else we haven't covered or comment to your fans?

We love music and its our life, and we want to share it with the world and have an open relationship with our fans where they can feel they are a part of this label's growth and prosperity. If you are new to the label, stop listening to the hype machines on what is being force fed to you and listen with your heart to our music - we know you will love it! To learn more about the label with videos, pictures, press and music, join the 500 + people on FaceBook who are a part of our fan page:

365Mag would like to thank Deepak for his time and answers!