Anja Schneider tells us why its best to trust your gut when it comes to music

You could say that trusting my gut instinct is the mantra of my life. Maybe I’m missing a lot, as I’m not good at giving people or things second chances, but that’s just the way I am. My first impressions have decided my whole life, and this has certainly been the case in music and DJing. I make quick decisions – but always from the heart.

In terms of our demo policy at the label, it’s always important for us to keep our ears to the ground and put energy into checking out new artists coming through – especially outside the circle of crew and friends you hang out with. It’s a thing we have to do constantly, as there are plenty of diamonds and pearls out there.

Meeting new talent is one of the most enjoyable aspects of what I do. It’s a big adventure for me. I’m always curious about who’s out there and what the world has in store for me. Without a healthy curiosity, I couldn’t do this job.

And that is where trusting my gut and first impressions comes in. It’s exactly what happened when I first met Kevin Over. The first thing that struck me about Kevin was, of course, his productions. Straight away I saw his great potential and impressive understanding of music. When we did finally meet, my thoughts and ideas were overwhelmed by his personality. He is the perfect example of a young, talented and open-minded artist – something we need from time to time to refresh our minds.

My first meeting with Kevin happened when I booked him to play our Mobilee showcase at Watergate last March. It wasn’t just his first time playing Watergate, but his first time even visiting the club as a raver. Even in the early stages of the night, during our dinner, it felt like he belonged and had been with us since the start of Mobilee.

I have this same experience with clothes I buy. They need to feel as though they have belonged to me for years and have my name on. If I have to think about it twice and question whether it suits me, then I know I should leave it. Everyone knows the rule about looking in the mirror and not being 100% comfortable with how you look; if you feel insecure, then you should always leave it. Except boyfriends or part-time lovers…but that’s a different story!

When you’re a collective you’re just like a team. Sometimes you meet someone with a great personality, but they will have a bigger ego than the team. They will always want a better set time and not realise that when you’re part of a team, there’s a rotation. They won’t understand that, or respect it.

I feel like Kevin, along with the other Mobilee artists, have always been with me, and we work together. That’s not to say they don’t ever surprise me, but there’s a certain connection we have that feels very familiar – almost intuitive.

As a DJ one of the greatest feelings you can have is to experience that ‘click’ moment with the crowd during your set. Those times when everything falls into place and we’re all totally on the same wavelength, connected by music. Of course it doesn’t happen at every gig, but that’s what we’re always aiming for, and that’s what drives us to travel the world.

The click kick is the goal – whether with artists, music, or DJing. Always.

‘Mobilee Back To Back Vol 11’, presented by Kevin Over, is out March 17 on Mobilee