Sander Kleinenberg

Sander's musical taste has always been very eclectic. 'By the time I was 14, I was listening to stuff like Mantronix,' he recalls. 'I was heavily influenced by American and British dance music. Remixes by Shep Pettibone, the sleeve art from Jon 'Jellybean' Benitez releases, loops by Simon Harris, a video of Beat Street and Depeche Mode concerts.

It was this cocktail of influences that informed the taste of the budding Sander, and led him to making music of his own; launching a career that 15 years later sees him travelling all over the world. Last year alone, this open-minded attitude to music resulted in 250,000 air miles, DJ sets from London to Buenos Aires via New York and rabid support from fans whenever he drops a needle.

In 1996, Sander first appeared on the dance radar with the now infamous NY Club Anthem 'Y.D.W. (You Do Me Wrong)'. Released on Strictly Rhythm under his production moniker S’n’S project, it was at the time a rare European release for the label and the track was liberally hammered by Junior Vasquez, Danny Tenaglia et al. But clearly his notoriety was ignited by the now classic track "My Lexicon" and has continued to grow with remixes for the likes of Royksopp, Sasha & Emerson and more recently Janet, N.E.R.D. and the brilliant, Dance Star Awarded rub for Justin Timberlake’s – Rock Your Body.

After seeing his productions appear on bestselling Global Underground compilations (namely Sasha: Ibiza and Deep Dish: Moscow), as well as Danny Howells' Nubreed, he was finally chosen to mix one of his own, and 2001 saw the release of Nubreed 4 (Boxed), the first from a Continental DJ. Pretty soon the Essential Mix compilation followed and last year saw the first release of his Renaissance compilations series This is Everybody, later this year to be followed by This is Everybody Too. (Volume 2).

For the past few years Sander has carved himself a steady and comfortable ranking in DJ Magazine’s influential Top 100, with last years positioning at 13. Urb Magazine described Sander's career as 'that of a slow but steady build culminating in absolute frenzy.' Quite. The depth, honesty and universal nature of his sound appeals to every corner of club culture around the Globe.

The secret of his success so far? 'You have to grow and change as an artist but still retain your artistic voice; not be subject to the swing of trends. I hope you can hear this consistency in all of my work'.
With a carefully cropped haircut and a softly spoken yet confident demeanour, Sander is the absolute antithesis of the superstar DJ. He's the guy who writes songs called 'Frog Dancing' and 'Slipper Sleaze' yet still gets away with it. You may want to meet him. Or better yet, dance with him.

website: www.sanderkleinenberg.com