Interview with Kleinefrigo & mogu mogu

15/11/24

Who are you?

Tim:
I'm Tim, also known as Kleinefrigo. I'm a DJ, producer, and radio host for Radio Scorpio. I graduated in August-September with a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences. I now work as a community manager at The Meadow, a startup deeply involved in music, which feels like the best of both worlds for me right now. I've also co-founded gemak!, where I focus on communication, social media, and online presence.

Wolf:
I'm Wolf, and my DJ name is mogu mogu. I'm also a co-founder of gemak!, primarily handling graphic design and focusing on creating safer spaces within the project. Outside of this, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Experience Design and I’m currently studying Graphic Design.

How did you meet each other?

Tim:
That's a funny story! I first saw Wolf at a party when he had just started DJing. There were some issues with the DJ setup, and I wanted to help, but Wolf kindly slapped my hands away from the controller. That was our first interaction. The second time we met was at a Sweet Sixteen party for mutual friends, where we were both on the lineup.

Wolf:
That party was at De Zoenk. I was invited to DJ there but didn’t know Tim then. Tim was doing a back-to-back with Jan-Willem (Jeanguy), whom I knew from playing basketball together. I had just started a bi-weekly residency at Café AperO in Leuven. After three exhausting all-nighters there, I wanted a partner to split the work. Jan-Willem suggested Tim.

We met up, and my first impression of Tim was that he was an unsophisticated but funny guy. After a drink (I was tipsy since I hadn’t eaten much), we played our first back-to-back. It wasn’t great, and I felt awkward, but it was a start.

Tim:
Yeah, it was really just meeting up, having some beers, making small talk, and then playing. A week later, we had our first AperO gig, which went surprisingly well despite the stress. That was the start of our friendship and collaboration.

Why do you work so well together?

Wolf:
We’ve known each other for a while now, especially behind the DJ decks. We’ve recorded mixes together for platforms like Microwave and 96 Movement. We also share a lot of music and get inspired by each other.

Tim:
I think we connected musically before we did personally. By hanging out, recording, and sharing ideas, our bond grew. Founding gemak! with the other members really accelerated this connection.

How did you get into music?

Tim:
When I was 8, I got into hip-hop through breakdancing classes. At a family party, my uncle played Still D.R.E. by Dr. Dre, and I became obsessed, spending weeks trying to find the track. Later, at 16, House music became popular in my circles, and I started digging into its subgenres. During the pandemic, I learned to DJ and took it seriously from there.

Wolf:
I wasn’t a digger initially. It started when I began going to parties and watching DJs perform live. One standout moment was seeing Alia, my sister’s best friend, perform. That sparked my love for DJing. Two years later, I bought a controller and started recording trashy mixes. I don’t understand how why, but at the time I was proud of those mixes.

Do you have a favourite memory sharing the decks?

Tim:
There have been so many, but Lemme Live’s Clubnight stands out. It was a club night where Wolf opened our slot solo, then we played back-to-back, and I closed our time-slot solo. The crowd’s energy was incredible. At the peak of our set, I hugged Wolf repeatedly, proud of what we’d achieved together. I was a bit tipsy at the time, and when I get tipsy, I get the urge to hug Wolf a lot whilst spinning (laughs).

Wolf:
For me, Lemme Live was also special. It was the first time we were booked as a duo at a larger venue like Stelplaats. It felt like a full-circle moment, showcasing our growth and ability to do our thing completely.

Do you have set positions behind the decks?

Tim:
I tend to stand on the left, though it’s not fixed. During gigs like AperO, we switch spots depending on who’s returning from a break.

Wolf:We don’t move much during sets because we alternate track by track. It’s too intense to keep switching positions.

What is your current favourite tracks?

Wolf:
Tim introduced me to Boca, and I love his style. I haven’t had many bookings recently, so I haven’t played his tracks much, but I’m digging a lot into music right now, to collect new, rare finds, like Boca for example...

Tim:
I listen to so many artists, but I’m really into artists such as Upper90 for example. Also, I’m really digging the sound of DJ SCHEMA. His sound selection is consistent yet innovative. He has this unique red thread in his productions, which I find intriguing. He even remixed a track I’m releasing on the deluxe edition of Wallaroo in 2025, which I’m super proud of.

How did you come up with your DJ names?

Wolf:
My original name, "flow", was just my first name backwards. When I found out there was another "flow" playing where I regularly DJed, I decided to change it. I wanted something catchy and stumbled upon mogu mogu, my favourite drink at the time.

Tim:
My name, Kleinefrigo, was a joke during a school trip. After drinking too much at a brewery, we were rapping for fun to some beats I made at the time, and I named myself after a mini-fridge (a ‘kleine frigo’ in Dutch) I was standing next to. It stuck, and I kept it when I transitioned from hip-hop beats to electronic music.

How do you prepare your sets?

Wolf:
We used to rely on gut feelings and adjust as we went. Now, for unique gigs, such as when we opened for Bushbaby a while back at an Overlap party, we plan more carefully, creating shared playlists to ensure transparency and better coordination.

Tim:
We’ve developed a process where we create these playlists, and about 75% of what’s in it gets played. This helps us stay on the same page while allowing for spontaneity.

What advice would you give to aspiring DJs?

Wolf:
Don’t just choose a controller for its looks, but research its functionality. Also, learn to mix in key after getting the hang of the technical aspects of spinning tunes. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from DJs you admire. I learned a lot doing this, such as keeping an eye on mixing in key for example.

Tim:
Exactly. Most DJs who are asked to provide feedback will appreciate your enthusiasm and offer valuable advice.

Also, stay true to your style, even if it’s tempting to cater to different audiences. Focus on feedback from the community, the people around you that you respect, and your instincts. You can’t please everyone, so trust your gut and find satisfaction in your craft.