Biography of Heiko M/S/O |  | | Real name / | Heiko Schäfer | | Moniker(s) / | Heiko MSO, MSO, Ongaku, Two deadly Venoms |
After several self-hosted parties, the DJ career of HEIKO MSO starts in 1990 as a sales assistant at BOY RECORDS in Frankfurt. This is followed by a job at the Frankfurt-based label CYCLOTRON Records.
In 1991, HEIKO plays as the support DJ on THE HYPNOTIST Live Tour in Germany, leaves BOY Records and joins the DELIRIUM Record Store (shortly after it is founded) in Frankfurt. First resident DJ job at Frankfurt's PLASTIK club.
In 1992 ATA, ATOM HEART and MSO produce the cult record MIHON on the POD COMMUNICATION label under the pseudonym ONGAKU. Shortly after that, the first solo project - likewise co-produced by Atom Heart - entitled M/S/O »TRAX« is released on POD COMMUNICATION. ATA and HEIKO become resident DJs at Frankfurt's cult club XS (later called BOX) and found the ONGAKU MUSIK label.
In 1993, HEIKO and ATA found KLANG ELEKTRONIK and PLAYHOUSE as sub-labels of ONGAKU when ROMAN FLÜGEL and JÖRN ELLING WUTTKE join the team as producers. After completion of their DJ residency at the XS, ATA and HEIKO play as residents at the DORIAN GRAY club for half a year and several times at the OMEN in Frankfurt, before starting their own deep house club evening WILD PITCH CLUB at NACHTLEBEN in Frankfurt. For five years, the NACHTLEBEN becomes ATA and HEIKO's musical home every Thursday night.
In 1994, HEIKO has his biggest success as a producer (together with Pascal FEOS):
FEOS VS MSO »OUR MUSIC«. HEIKO and ATA play on the MARLBORO US HOUSE TOUR in Germany as German support DJs. Furthermore, HEIKO spins discs at the legendary solar eclipse party in ARICA (CHILE).
In 1996, ATA and HEIKO create a party concept called THE GIFT which comprises events at different locations and offers a technoid alternative to the WILD PITCH CLUB. ATA and HEIKO host parties with renowned DJs such as MARK BROOM, AUTECHRE, ANDREW WEATHERALL, JEFF MILLS, DANIEL BELL, ECTOMORPH, DOC SCOTT, ROBERT HOOD, CLAUDE YOUNG, CARL CRAIG, etc... HEIKO MSO plays in the USA (DETROIT and CHICAGO) for the first time.
In 1997, HEIKO hands in his notice at the DELIRIUM Record Store to have more time to concentrate on the ever increasing label work of ONGAKU, KLANG ELEKTRONIK and PLAYHOUSE.
In 1998, the first official Ongaku, Playhouse and Klang Elektronik label office opens. This year, and the following years, HEIKO's efforts revolve mainly around label work, as well as organising club, party and DJ activities.
HEIKO has been a resident DJ at Offenbach's ROBERT JOHNSON club since 1999, one of the trendiest and most style-setting house clubs in Europe. However, his DJ activities not only involve national performances, but often take him far beyond the German borders to e.g. Spain, France, the UK, Slovakia, etc. In 2006 he finally made his way back into the studio and will be coming out with some new 12” in 2007.
Heiko's sets include house as well as techno elements. He finds committing himself to only one style is neither necessary nor would it make sense. His personal style is based on a balanced mixture of both influences. His musical roots lie in soul & funk, disco and Chicago house, but also in reduced and original Detroit techno. Electronic and classic repetitive music has influenced and inspired him since his early childhood. |