Zak Khutoretsky, known as DVS1, is a cultural advocate whose career epitomizes the ethos of the underground—marathon DJ sets, an unrivaled vinyl collection, and a fierce commitment to the purity of techno culture. Through a variety of activities, the last two decades have seen him establish himself as one of electronic music's most important people. On December 6, this globally admired artist will come to Bucharest for a night at Control Club.
Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1976, during the late Soviet era, Khutoretsky’s early life was marked by change. Immigrating to the United States with his family, he spent his formative years between the East Coast and Midwest in New York City and Minneapolis, respectively. Music became a constant in his life, with eight years of classical piano training. This, combined with a growing interest in synth-driven hits of the 1980s, planted the seeds for his prolific future.
In the 1990s, Minneapolis would play a pivotal role as the American Midwest became an unlikely epicenter of underground rave culture. Khutoretsky dove headfirst into this world, attending and eventually organizing clandestine warehouse parties, his own club, and studio space. By the age of 18, he was producing events that drew hundreds, managing every aspect, from sound systems to lighting. His events would always emphasize community and a shared love of music.
In 2009, DVS1 debuted on Ben Klock’s prestigious Klockworks label with tracks like Searching, Floating, and Running. These releases showcased his hypnotic, stripped-back, and powerfully emotive techno style. Soon after, his affiliation with Derrick May’s Transmat label solidified his position as a serious contributor to the techno canon, with releases satisfying both purists and casual listeners and marking the beginning of global recognition. These releases would also lead to labels like Ostgut Ton, ReKids, MUTE Records, Blueprint, Rejected, and AXIS to feature further DVS1 productions and remixes. These include his 2020 full-length Beta Sensory Motor Rhythm and the Flight To Nowhere EP (2010).
In 2011, DVS1 launched HUSH, a label dedicated to his own productions. This imprint featured his focused work, like the Lost Myself EP (2015). Two years later, he created Mistress Recordings, a label designed to explore even more diverse corners of dance music, or, as DVS1 outs it, his platform for “secret weapons.”
Aside from production, DVS1’s powerful, intuitive DJ sets led to his residency at Berghain. Berghain’s trust and creative freedom aligned perfectly with his philosophy. Performing internationally at festivals like Dekmantel and at venues like Warehouse Elementenstraat, Bassiani, Stereo, smartbar, and fabric (for whom he supplied the 96th edition of their mix series), DVS1 has consistently demonstrated his ability to command a crowd. With over 30,000 vinyl records in his collection, Khutoretsky continues championing the tangible, tactile nature of records. His DJ sets often blend vinyl with digital.
One of DVS1’s most ambitious projects is his Wall of Sound concept. Exemplifying his belief in sound’s physical power, the massive, custom-built sound system combines with DVS1's expert curation for highly physical events that have reached everywhere, from Los Angeles to Athens, Tbilisi to Amsterdam.
DVS1’s commitment to egalitarianism in the music ecosystem extends beyond the decks. In 2022, he spearheaded Aslice, a platform to address DJ/producers financial disparity. The platform allowed DJs to share their playlists and allocate a portion of their performance fees to the producers whose tracks featured. Unfortunately, it shuttered earlier this year, much to the dismay of those in the industry and outside of it.
Regardless of the Aslice disappointment, DVS1 has remained a vocal advocate for preserving the values of underground culture throughout his career. He often speaks out against the commercialization of electronic music, emphasizing the importance of maintaining spaces where artistry, not profit, takes precedence. Nowhere was this more prevalent than in his 2019 Amsterdam-based talk series, Support.Organize.Sustain.
Whether through his labels, performances, or his relentless efforts to uplift those across the electronic music landscape, DVS1 continues to set the standard for living and working in service of music. As he often reminds us, “Techno isn’t just music; it’s a movement.” And through his artistry, he ensures that movement remains alive, fair, and pure.
