We sat down with the people who pull the strings: the programmer, the art curator, the technician, the club manager, and the marketeer. We asked them questions about recent developments regarding the basement and what it means to step into their shoes for a while.
Doka’s residency program as a greenhouse
Sophie, Doka’s programmer, recently launched the venue’s first-ever residency program. “I enjoy working closely with artists and promoters to explore their true interests and ambitions, whether it’s an idea they’ve held onto for years but couldn’t realize, or concepts that simply aren’t possible in other clubs.”
By providing this creative freedom for Doka’s residents, Sophie aims to participate in the artistic growth of the artist or promoter. This philosophy is also why she refuses to enforce exclusivity when it comes to the residents’ bookings. She feels that it would only hinder the process of the artist or promoter, rather than supporting the artists’ or collectives’ growth.
Sophie aims to make Doka a homebase for the residents. ‘During the residency, I truly hope they felt, and continue to feel, completely at home here,’ she explains. The residency is not just stage time; it’s about creating a greenhouse where artists feel heard and understood. ‘I want Doka to be a place they can always return to.’ This spirit of collaboration is already becoming successful, as residents have begun using their platforms to spotlight emerging talent or international acts rarely seen in the Netherlands. ‘Seeing them step aside to push others forward is incredible,’ Sophie notes. “I hope that this philosophy of selflessness and support of new talent stays a permanent part of Doka’s DNA.”
The old smokers area filled with experimentation and abstraction
But before the music even starts, Gerdien, curator of Doka Live and Doka Culture, steps in. She also ensures the basement has a visual heartbeat through the lightboxes in ISO1600, Doka’s former smokers’ area. She shows the connection between visual artists and nightlife. In the current installation, she repurposed lightboxes from her own practice as a visual illustrator that now house a rotating exhibition. By exclusively choosing photo-realistic series, she creates a conceptual link to the ‘Donkere Kamer’ (aka DOKA) itself.
Currently, the space features “Untitled” by Alice Vink. The Rotterdam-based artist and DJ known as dirtydms, is a multidisciplinary force. The lightboxes with her illustrations emit a quiet, ethereal glow, echoing the shifting visibility and high-sensory atmosphere of a club.
Current exposition “Untitled” by Alice Vink
Curating art in a place that also aims to provide visitors with a dark but warm club experience, takes a lot of thought and vision. Gerdien states that you need to experience and understand night culture to select art for these kinds of venues. “Art in a setting like this can have an edge and spark something, but most of all it should merge with the environment,” You don’t want piercing eyes on you while you’re recovering from a dance; you want experiment with abstraction, while also creating a place where you can catch your breath during a dance marathon in the club.” By prioritizing this, she ensures the art enhances the immersion and the overall club experience. And as for her own creative process? “I have a need for control,” Gerdien admits, “if only to balance out the inner chaos.”
Community for nerds, diggers & everything in between
Once the music is programmed and visual art is curated, Shana, the marketeer, translates that creative output into the city. Her mission is to build a “big crew” of people who appreciate a space like Doka, a space for high-fidelity clubbing but also intimate live music experiences. She’s currently working on a residency campaign. “The main goal of the residency campaign is to expand the Doka community, building a deeper and a real connection with a big group of Doka-nerds who appreciate what our residency artists and promoters do.
However, undeniable is the shift from club culture to listening sessions and live music. ”I feel like we’re moving away from traditional clubbing in favor of intimate live music and high-fidelity audio experiences. That’s where Doka Live and Doka Culture come in. Doka is one of the few places in the city where these worlds intersect. Besides building on a strong community, our basement’s strength lies in its versatility as a space.”
3D impression of sound
This directly links to what Allison, the head technician, states about Doka’s sound plan. Her vision is that feeling immersed in the music and sound, doesn’t relate to volume. It is caused by precision. “Doka has a simple layout and is quite a small venue, because of this the sound system isn’t challenged by needing to cover long distances, different heights, or twists and turns in architecture. To ensure the sound is spread as evenly as possible, she performs sound tests every few months and then tweaks little details to improve the listening experience.
Allison proudly talks about how Doka now offers technical support from sound engineers during all of the events. “This really raises our profile as a sound focused venue. We want performers and DJs to feel they’re in safe hands while in Doka.” But that’s not all we can look forward to in the Volkshotel’s basement. “Another passion project for Doka this year is to make it technically possible to perform immersive spatialised music.” This means being able to send sounds to each speaker separately to create a 3D impression of music in the space. “I think this would be a really cool addition to Doka and it will attract some very interesting artists working in this field.”
Smooth transitions from PM to AM
After curating, marketing and programming artists, sound and lighting, Özkan steps in. For him, smoothing the transition from office hours to early morning euphoria comes down to a rock-solid foundation.
When it comes to the sound of the basement, Özkan believes Doka has a natural affinity for certain rhythms. “In my opinion, disco and house are the styles that fit Doka best,” he says. However, the success of a night often drifts away from genres and comes down to pure craftsmanship. “A great night depends entirely on the artist. Listening to an experienced DJ who knows how to read the room is always a pleasure, regardless of what they’re playing.” For Özkan, the ultimate reward is seeing that expertise in action, turning a story or a plan into a living night.
Whether it’s through abstract art, artist residencies, community building, a 3D sound impression or smooth transitions into the night, the Doka backoffice works hard to ensure the basement remains a place where both artists and guests can truly feel at home. This is what the dedicated “day shifters” contribute to the transformation from a space in the daylight, into the vibrant club atmosphere of Doka at night. The work is done, the only thing missing in the basement is you. See you at our next event.
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Photo’s: 36framez (@36framez)
