Stays & Plays: DJ Amazonica

She’s played Cannes, the Oscars and stadiums worldwide, but Amazonica says Berlin has an energy all its own. We caught up with her after her recent set at The Dean Berlin to talk hotel-room habits, rock’n’roll history and the one song she’ll never play.

You've played Cannes, the Oscars and arenas all over the world. What's different about a night in Berlin?

Berlin has a completely different energy. It's raw, rebellious and unapologetically itself. There's so much musical history here, from Bowie and Iggy Pop to Nick Cave and Depeche Mode. It's a city where artists came to escape, experiment and reinvent themselves. I love that. There's something about Berlin that makes you want to break the rules a little.

What's the first thing you do when you walk into a hotel room?

Check out the view, unpack my entire wardrobe like I'm moving in permanently, jump on the bed and investigate the bathroom products. I'm a sucker for a fabulous hotel bathroom!

What did you make of Charlottenburg? Where did you end up, and what did you eat or drink?

I didn't get to explore nearly as much as I'd planned, but I loved the glimpses I had of Berlin. I was there to DJ and also film episodes of my ROCK'N'ROLL HISTORIES series, so I was on a bit of a musical pilgrimage. I did manage a lovely breakfast at Benedict before heading out to explore. but I'll definitely be coming back for a proper food and vintage-shopping adventure. It's cool it’s near the station made famous by U2 - ZOO STATION!

Give us the soundtrack to your stay.

Arriving: David Bowie — A New Career in a New Town - 1977 Berlin Bowie from LOW, one of my favourite albums.

Dance floor: Iggy Pop — Lust for Life. That opening drumbeat! Another song from Berlin roots!

Morning after: Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence.

What's the one request you'll never play, no matter how nicely it's asked?

Spice Girls - Wannabe. Immediate no everytime.

One tip for Berlin. What shouldn't we miss?

Go and find David Bowie and Iggy Pop's old apartment at Hauptstraße 155 in Schöneberg, then visit Hansa Studios, where Bowie recorded "Heroes" in the shadow of the Berlin Wall. I'm obsessed with music history, and standing in the places where these incredible records were made is magical. Berlin is basically a living rock'n'roll museum.

And finally, where do you go to properly switch off? Berlin or anywhere else in the world.

Anywhere with nature & the sea and absolutely nowhere I need to be. My life is airports, late nights, loud music and constantly being on the move, so the ultimate luxury for me is peace and a good book. Although give me 48 hours and I'll probably start researching what musical history is nearby! 

Amazonica stayed and played at The Dean Berlin, the perfect base for those taking trips through Germany’s museum of rock’n’roll. Book your stay here, with the best rates always when you book direct.