Michael Mayer

One of Germany’s best-known DJs, Michael Mayer is also an influential label boss and a respected producer. During the week, Mayer runs the day-to-day operations of the prominent Cologne-based electronic-music imprint Kompakt (with partners Wolfgang Voigt and Jürgen Paape), which oversees distribution for more than fifty smaller labels. On weekends, you can find him manning the decks at the world’s most prestigious night spots (Mayer holds residencies at Fabric in London, Berghain/Panorama Bar in Berlin and Robert Johnson in Offenbach, Germany). His wintry 2002 set, Immer, showcased his superior track selection and mixing skills, and, in the process, set a new standard for commercial DJ mixes. Last year, Mayer released Mantasy, a full-length album of swaggering house and stately techno.