"We're connected with the beginnings." The Berghain residents talk about underground values, leaving behind expectations and their debut collaborative album. In recent years, techno seems to have divided itself into two camps: those in favor of new sounds, including the hard, the fast and the maximal, and those who've reacted by taking the sound back to its original, no-frills roots. In the latter camp are Berghain residents Ben Klock and Fadi Mohem, two German artists who have become figureheads for a classic, stripped-back style. Though they're a generation apart, they've firmly aligned themselves with the faction trying to keep techno underground and understated. In this Exchange, Klock and Mohem speak about why old-school values and sensibilities remain so important to their work. And what specifically has captured Mohem—and his younger cohorts—who were born after the first iteration of this sound took shape? The duo have been DJing and making music together with increasing frequency over the last few years, celebrating and expanding upon the seeds of this style together. Mohem and Klock also discuss LAYER ONE, their beautiful album from 2024 that combines techno with IDM, ambient and experimental, featuring vocal appearances by UK artists Coby Sey and Flowdan. They talk about this departure from their typical style, which imagines a post-human world where AI reigns supreme. Klock also reflects on his connection to Berghain, his unexpected career as a DJ and the key to long-lasting relevance in a scene that never slows down. Listen to the episode in full. -Chloe Lula