SFEER00004 / DØEMP (BEL/NL)

Meet Arne, also known by his artist name DØEMP. Born in Roermond (Netherlands) but raised in Belgium, he carries a dual nationality and a perspective shaped by both scenes. At 26 years old, DØEMP sits right at the crossroads of modern club culture: part DJ, part builder of community, and part organiser who understands the dancefloor from every angle. His story is not the typical overnight DJ narrative. It is one built through nights in Antwerp, endless hours digging for music, learning the rooms from the inside, and slowly carving out a sound that lives somewhere between high energy techno, hard dance and trance driven rave pressure. And maybe most importantly, it is a story shaped by the reality of wearing multiple hats at once: artist, organiser, and founder of SFEERBEHEER.

How did your journey into electronic music begin?

DØEMP’s relationship with electronic music started early, long before any serious DJ ambitions were on the table. Like many people who end up falling in love with high intensity club music, it began with something fast and energetic: drum and bass. That first connection to speed, tension and release planted the seed for what would later become his signature style.

But the real turning point came during his studies in Antwerp. That period opened the door to a completely different nightlife world, one that felt raw, intense, and deeply personal. He became a regular in local clubs, especially Club Vaag, where the sound and atmosphere left a deep impact. Those nights did more than entertain. They shaped taste, built curiosity, and created the desire to understand what makes a room truly move.

Eventually, Club Vaag was not just a place he visited. He worked there too, behind the bar, learning the rhythm of a club from the inside out. Watching DJs, feeling the tempo shifts throughout the night, noticing what tracks created reactions and which ones emptied the floor, all of that became a silent education. And from there, stepping behind the decks became the natural next chapter.

How do you select tracks for your sets?

For DØEMP, track selection is not about sticking to rigid formulas. It is deeply intuitive and heavily connected to context. He explained that he likes to sense the vibe of the event before even arriving. Is it an open air festival in daylight, where people want that euphoric lift? Is it a sweaty midnight slot, where impact and rhythm matter most? Or is it a closing set, where the goal becomes storytelling, tension and that final emotional push?

Instead of overplanning, he prepares in a way that still leaves space for freedom. Before a gig, he builds a playlist of around 100 tracks, almost like a personal library for that specific night. Then, during the performance, he chooses based on what the room needs in real time.

That approach says a lot about his style. He wants sets to feel alive, not pre programmed. And he wants the crowd to feel like the night is being created with them, not simply delivered to them.

Was there a key moment that changed your confidence as a DJ?

One of the most important moments for DØEMP came early in his career, when he won his first DJ contest. He described it as pivotal, not necessarily because it changed everything overnight, but because it gave him something that many DJs struggle to build for years: confidence.

Winning confirmed that the hours were worth it. That the taste was right. That the instincts were real. And once that belief kicks in, progress tends to accelerate. DØEMP mentioned that after that moment, things moved fast. Doors opened, motivation grew, and the idea of taking the project seriously stopped feeling like a dream and started feeling like a plan.

Another major step was joining Bright Bookings agency, which marked a clear signal of growth. Not just in terms of opportunities, but in terms of identity. It placed him within a professional network and reinforced that the project was moving into a bigger stage.

How do you prepare for a set?

Preparation is a core part of DØEMP’s process. He is not the type to show up with the same folder of tracks every weekend. Instead, he makes sure that every set contains something fresh, something that reflects where his head is at in that moment.

He aims to have at least 20 new tracks that truly resonate with his current vibe. That means actively searching for music before each set, digging for new gems, and staying connected to the constant movement of the scene.

It is not only about having new music, but about staying inspired. Fresh tracks keep the excitement alive, and that excitement translates directly into the performance.

And of course, he added something very human to the ritual too: a pint before stepping into the booth never hurts. Not for the image, not for the vibe, but simply to calm the nerves and step into the moment with ease.

How do you adapt to different venues and audiences?

One of DØEMP’s biggest strengths lies in reading a room quickly. He pays attention to the small things: the way people move, how tightly they gather, how they react to tempo changes, when the energy rises or drops. Those details become signals.

Based on that energy, he adjusts both BPM and track selection. Some crowds want constant pressure. Others respond better to groove and variation. Some spaces need time to warm up, while others are instantly locked in and ready for full speed.

That adaptability is what separates a DJ from a playlist. The ability to feel what is happening and shape the night accordingly is exactly where DØEMP thrives.

Who inspires you right now?

When talking about inspiration, DØEMP mentioned a selection of artists that reflect his taste and his direction. Names like:

Elon Bass
Sachsentrance
Blayde
Heggemann
Venere

Each of these carries their own signature energy, but they share a common thread: forward moving pressure, bold choices, and a strong identity. Those influences can be heard in the way DØEMP balances drive and intensity with playful, trance leaning moments.

What is the perfect BPM for you?

DØEMP prefers speed. His sets often sit between 160 and 170 BPM, a range that matches the modern hard dance and fast techno shift, but also fits the kind of high intensity energy he likes to build.

It is a tempo range that leaves no room for hesitation. It pushes momentum forward and forces the room into movement. But as he explained earlier, BPM is never just a number. It is a tool. The real goal is the feeling it creates, and how well it matches the crowd in front of him.

How do you view the evolution of the techno scene today?

Reflecting on the scene, DØEMP recognizes that “techno” has become broader than ever. The sound has expanded, split into micro genres, merged with trance, hard dance and rave revival influences. And because of that, not every listener fully understands how diverse the space has become.

But instead of seeing that as a problem, he focuses on one thing that matters above everything: fun on the dancefloor. The scene can evolve endlessly, names can change, and trends can come and go, but the point remains the same. If people are smiling, moving, and losing themselves in the moment, the music is doing its job.

How has it been balancing DJ life with running SFEERBEHEER?

As founder of SFEERBEHEER, DØEMP’s journey has always been more than just music. Building a concept, organising events, managing a team, creating a community, and keeping everything alive behind the scenes is a serious responsibility. And balancing that with being an artist takes discipline.

He described it as challenging, but ultimately rewarding. Because being an organiser teaches you something most DJs never fully learn: how the entire ecosystem works. What a crowd needs, what creates real atmosphere, what artists need to feel comfortable, what makes a night flow beyond just music.

After five years, he is proud of what he and his team have built. SFEERBEHEER is not just a party. It is a platform, a community, and a reflection of the culture around it. And DØEMP continues to shape it from both sides: behind the decks and behind the concept.

Next up

SFEER00005 - DJ FEELTOOMUCH (GER)