Meet the artist: HÄKKERS
by 13 January 2026
SAY HELLO TO HÄKKERS
There’s no better way to start the new year than with someone so close to home and even closer to our MEUK sound. Denn Punk has known HÄKKERS for quite some time now and when we finally heard the music he’d been working on, we were deeply impressed. When you hear the deep bass lines and rich percussion, you immediately know why.
HÄKKERS is primarily known for his live hardware performances that generate a pulsating energy in clubs and at festivals across the Netherlands. And he managed to translate those same raw tribal rhythms and hypnotic grooves into dancefloor-ready tracks. We are very excited about releasing four of those gems with his upcoming Funky Lines EP. For us, this was exactly the energy boost we needed at this time of year!
To get you to know HÄKKERS, this interview discusses his hardware-based studio workflow, his role as co-founder of Eindhoven-based talent platform Biotoop, and of course, the story behind his upcoming release on MEUK Records.
Let’s start at the beginning — how did your journey into electronic music unfold?
I’ve been shaping my sound as HÄKKERS for over six years now. Before that, I didn’t specifically make electronic music, but music has always been a constant in my life.
When I discovered electronic music — especially techno — everything fell into place. The combination of raw percussion, deep grooves and the freedom of live hardware immediately drew me in.
In the beginning, it was mostly about experimenting with different machines, structures and sounds. I never followed a traditional path — it all started from curiosity and a love for designing sound.
When you think about techno, what defines it for you beyond just a genre?
For me, techno means freedom. It’s not about rules or structure — it’s about energy. It’s about building a world that people can lose themselves in. The genre is broad, but I like to keep it simple: it needs to move, and it needs to feel right. Lose yourself in the rhythm.
Your music has a very physical, groove-driven feel. How would you describe your sound in your own words?
My sound revolves around groove and movement — raw tribal rhythms, deep basslines, rich percussion, and a constant drive. Everything I make needs to have a pulse — it has to roll.
I work a lot with organic sounds, field recordings, processed percussion, and combine those with analogue drums and synths. The result is often powerful and danceable, but always with a hypnotic undertone.
How do you translate that vision into practice — especially through your hardware-based workflow?
Over the years, my sound has become more layered and personal. I’ve focused more and more on the live aspect of techno, building my sets entirely from hardware like the Octatrack and Analog Rytm by Elektron.
In the beginning it was a challenge — how do you build tension without a laptop or a fixed arrangement? But that limitation pushed me to dig deeper into what truly works on the floor.
Organic percussion, deep basslines and hypnotic grooves now form the core of my sound. It has to roll, it has to pulse. I’m always searching for the balance between raw and controlled — leaving space for coincidence and surprise.
You’re also active beyond your own music — can you tell us more about your role within the local scene?
Besides my own music, I’m a co-founder of Biotoop, a talent platform in Eindhoven, where people can learn to DJ, produce, and explore electronic music in all its forms. It’s a space for sharing knowledge, experimentation and growth — both technically and creatively.
It’s important to me to contribute to the scene, and Biotoop allows me to help others find their own sound. That’s inspiring for me too, it keeps me sharp and connected to the next generation of creators.
Working with upcoming artists through Biotoop, what’s the most valuable lesson you share with them?
Stay true to yourself. It’s tempting to follow trends, but the only way to create something real is to trust your own taste.
Also, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Especially when performing live — something will always go wrong, but those moments often lead to something unique.
And finally: really get to know your gear. Limit yourself on purpose. Too much choice can be paralyzing.
You often help others grow artistically — how do you challenge yourself to keep evolving?
My main goal is to keep evolving — to keep challenging myself, technically and creatively. I’d love to play in places where live techno is truly appreciated — where there’s room to build and take risks.
At the same time, I want to keep developing my own sound and community, through projects like Biotoop or collaborations with other artists.
And how do you approach releasing music — compared to performing live?
For me, releasing music is a way to give shape to what I do live — to capture moments of energy and translate them into something that lasts.
In the studio I approach things a bit differently: more focused, more refined. But it always starts from that same instinct — groove first, everything else follows.
Releasing allows me to share that energy beyond the stage and connect with people in a different way.
Let’s talk about your upcoming release — what made MEUK Records feel like the right fit for it?
I’ve known Denn Punk for a while and always liked what MEUK stands for: a strong underground identity, attention to detail, and genuine passion for the scene. It’s not about hype but about building something real. That’s something I really connect with.
Finally — when shaping the tracks for your upcoming EP, what guided the sound and flow of the release?
I created the tracks on this EP partly in Ableton and partly with my hardware setup — the Analog Rytm, Octatrack, and Model Cycles. The idea was to combine the best of both worlds.
On one side you have the precision and flexibility of producing in Ableton, and on the other, the rawness and spontaneity of hardware. That blend results in a sound that’s tight and focused, yet still lively and organic.
The EP shows different sides of my style, while staying true to my core: deep grooves, rhythmic drive and an uncompromising sound. It’s not a showcase of everything I can do, but it’s a sharp statement of where I’m at right now.
Funky Lines EP
TRACKLIST
1. Funky Lines
2. Breathless
3. Mammoth Train
4. Droplet
Release date: 27 January 2026
FOLLOW HÄKKERS
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![MEUK EP [MEUK001]](https://meukrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/meuk-ep-meuk001.jpg)
