How's Life?: Sanctuary
For our next How’s Life?, we sat down with Sanctuary—the DJ duo made up of Benjamin and Liam, two like-minded individuals who bumped into each other on Berlin’s dancefloors over a decade ago after moving from Australia. Born from late nights, deep digging and a shared love for the soul-driven sound, Sanctuary has become a trusted name in Berlin’s underground. A scene where they've built a community-driven and heartfelt platform called Life Classics. Something to keep an eye on. Let's dig in!
Hi! Can you introduce yourself to our readers? Sanctuary: Heya! It's Benjamin and Liam here. Both of us are originally from Australia and have been living in Berlin for over a decade now. We first met here and after clocking many hours on the dance floors, we formed Sanctuary. Together we run Life Classics, an edit label we started in 2018 based around 80s Disco and Boogie, which fanned out into a mix series and club residency. Since 2016 been pushing soulful sounds and artists at our beloved home base, OHM. Firstly, starting as part of Altered Soul Experiment, which after COVID, evolved into our Life Classics nights. Over the past few years, we've also become regular faces on the Globus floor in Tresor, where we pump all shades of House. How did you first get into music? Can you take us back to the beginning of your musical journey? Benjamin: FM radio on Friday afternoons and nights played a solid role in how I discovered Electronic music. Local DJs who were hot at the time would spin for an hour or so and from memory, I would record it on cassette as there was no other way to hear it again. Later on, around 16 years old or so at the time, I was in a department store in Melbourne’s CBD called Myer Basement. I heard some tunes and it turned out to be some dude playing records. I stared at him for ages and “ thought this guy is cool “. A few months later, I got myself a Stanton turntable and a DJM 300. Liam: Like many Aussie youngsters in the early 00s, much of my musical tastes were formed around swapping CDs, watching Rage and flogging tunes off Limewire. The latter definitely opened the door to a whole new world of music and computer viruses. A path paved with mischief took me through some underage clubbing, a pair of busted CDJs, shitty trance raves and a few starry-eyed festival experiences. It wasn't really until a friend's cool older brother showed us some house records he bought in Europe that I began diving deeper into it all.
Was there an album or artist your parents used to play that really stuck with you? Did it influence your taste in music? Benjamin: My parents thrashed CDs from Enigma, Jean Michel Jarre and Ottmar Liebert. And I’d like to highlight Principles Of Lust from Enigma’s 1990 album, MCMXC a.D. Along with some Jazz Albums and some records from The Beatles and Santana. I think of it as an influence for sure Liam: Since day one, my parents filled my ears with a wide range of music. From Sinéad O’Connor, Enya, Paul Simon and Iggy Pop, to Aussie icons such as Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly and Crowded House. Aside from the many nostalgic albums that remind me of my childhood, I remember finding a couple of Deep Forest CDs in my parents' collection that blew my mind at the time. What’s been your favorite gig to date, and what made it so memorable? Benjamin: Off the top of my head, there are a few but for different reasons. I would have to say summer last year in Heideglühen’s garden. It was pushing 30° and we played for 4 hours with heavy smoke machines. The sun was out, beers were cold, vibes were high and nothing beats the crowd Heide pulls. Liam: Hard to single out one. Some of the fondest memories would be from our OHM nights. We've had a bunch of pearlers over the years at Heidglühen and Tresor. A sunrise a couple years back on the notorious 20/44 boat in Belgrade is also up there. If you were curating your own stage, who would be on your dream lineup? Benjamin: Leroy Hutson, Ronnie McNeir & Tyrone Davis Liam: As we're talking dreams, it would probably have to involve bringing back a bunch of legends for the occasion. Marvin, Prince, Miles & Coltrane, Sakamoto, Dilla.. the list could go on but you get the idea. Where’s your favorite place to dig for records, and why? Benjamin: I’d say Japan and to be more precise, I would say Disk Union. So many solid finds for honest prices. That, combined with filling your face before and after digging, I don’t think there is a better place. Liam: Japan, without a doubt. So many amazing record stores, sound systems and small dance floors, the place is a constant source of inspiration.
What’s your current favorite record to play in front of a crowd? When would you drop it, and what makes it so special? Benjamin: It’s A Mystery To Me by First Love - start of the night, it’s a warmer for sure Liam: When I Fall In Love (Quentin Harris West 30th Street Vocal Mix). It’s been a firm fixture in my bag for years but still hits every time. Late-night emotional house at its finest. Anything on the horizon that you're looking forward to? We have our next Life Classics throw down at OHM in September and we've invited down New Yorks Dj Lloyd. Sure to be a slippery one! Everyone has a guilty pleasure track. What’s yours? Benjamin: Larry June & Cardo Got Wings - 100 Bags Liam: Culture Club - Time (Clock Of The Heart). All pleasure and no guilt, though. What’s one thing on your bucket list that isn’t related to DJing? Benjamin: Travel and live in another Country Liam: Spend some more time in South America Any advice for beginners interested in exploring the art? Benjamin: Dig into the roots of the music you’re listening to, and also explore and discover the artist's inspiration. Liam: Trust your ears, not the trends. Take time to learn the craft and its history. There are so many great, affordable records out there, so start building your collection around those dollar bin bangers. Keep the faith. Thanks guys for taking part in this! Good luck to you :)
