Paul Christian has been collecting and playing records for many years, but it was in 2023 that he took off with a residency and his own events at Hotel Shanghai in Essen. A music-first policy and stripped-back set up soon spread by word of mouth, and Christian got bookings around the wider region. His vinyl-only sets are big on emotion and span Afro, progressive, melodic and house with driving percussion and organic grooves. Christian is also a graphic designer and video editor, who showed his class this month with a debut release for Fiona Kraft’s Non Merci Music
Paul Christian - Interview
Hey Paul, hope you’re all good and welcome to Minimal Mag; have you got any highlights from 2025 so far?
Hello Minimal Mag, thank you very much for the invitation:)
This year has honestly flown by for me. I’m incredibly grateful for the support on my first two releases, as well as the amazing ongoing collaboration with Fiona Kraft and her team. Beyond that, I’m really excited for everything that’s ahead and curious to see where the journey will take me over the rest of the year.
Could you give us the lowdown on your latest release, ‘D’jambu’? Why did you decide to partner with Fiona Kraft’s Non Merci Music for this one?
‘D’jambu’ is my next upcoming release on NON MERCI MUSIC, out on June 13th, featuring an amazing remix by Fiona Kraft. The original blends deep emotion with natural rhythm, combining Afro house energy, warm melodies, and harmonic vocals to create a truly uplifting listening experience. Fiona’s remix strips things back beautifully, giving space for the life-affirming synths to breathe over supple, hypnotic drums. It’s a subtly powerful version, perfect for deep reflection and intimate dance floors.
Before this release, Fiona and her label had been on my radar for quite a while. What really drew me in was the label’s clear vision – a platform committed to artistic freedom and sonic experimentation. That ethos resonated deeply with the spirit of D’jambu, which explores a different facet of my sound and gave me room to experiment. I’m truly happy to be releasing this track with Fiona and her team. The collaboration has been incredibly smooth and inspiring, and I’m excited about future projects together.
We’d love to know more about your vinyl-only sets and why you choose to DJ using analog equipment.
This question requires a bit of a longer answer. For me as an artist, everything started back in my childhood. My father is a DJ and music producer himself, and for as long as I can remember, he had a home studio and a record collection that filled entire rooms.
As a kid, I was already exposed to all kinds of house music through him, but I didn’t dive into it seriously at the time. That all changed during my teenage years. My friends would come over, we’d listen to music, and slowly started digging through my father’s vinyl collection. It felt like we were in his studio every weekend, cleaning records, exploring the shelves, and discovering hidden gems.
Over time, I built my own collection of favorites until today and started trying to DJ myself. The labels that inspired me back then were Junior Boy`s Own, Strictly Rhythm, Running Back, Innervisions, and especially Pampa Records. I started experimenting with vinyl – a bit clumsily at first – but I instantly fell in love with the learning process. Over time, I gained more confidence and eventually played my first vinyl-only set. The adrenaline rush I felt during that performance was unforgettable and completely got me hooked. What still fascinates me today is the honesty of vinyl DJing – no loops, no master tempo, no beat grid. You have to fully rely on your ears. No autopilot- just you and the music.
4. What projects have you been involved in recently as a graphic designer & video editor?
I’m currently working on a range of visual projects at the company Conceptfabric for major brewery clients in Germany. At the same time, I’m experimenting a lot with artificial intelligence in relation to moving images, partly as part of my studies. Lately, so many new tools have been coming out that are just waiting to be explored.
5. Do you ever think about running your own record label?
Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it much yet. Right now, I’m just really happy with the collaborations I have and feel good working with the labels I’m currently involved with. There’s a nice connection and creative freedom, so I’m just enjoying how things are going 🙂
What do you think the music industry is lacking in right now?
The music scene moves quickly these days, and social media plays a huge role in shaping it. There’s a lot of good that comes with it, but also some things that are more challenging. Honestly, it’s one of those topics you could really get into for hours – you could almost start philosophising about it. But what stands out to me personally is the lack of new tracks being pressed on vinyl. That’s something I really miss. I’d love to see more fresh music finding its way onto records again.
Where do you want to be as a DJ/producer in the next five years?
To be honest, I’d love to still find myself behind the decks at my local bar in my hometown every now and then – spinning vinyl all night, surrounded by friends, good energy, and zero pressure. That’s the kind of vibe I never want to lose.
Summer’s thankfully just around the corner; what are your plans in and outside of music?
I’ll be keeping my focus on music and my graphic stuff, working on new ideas and projects – and hopefully following the German summer for as long as I can 🙂