Artist Profile: Dr. Rubinstein

Since her move to Berlin in 2012, Dr. Rubinstein is one of the most recognizable personalities in the global electronic music scene. Without the conventional support of a label or self-promotion, her rise is wholly due to the subversive energy she brings while behind the decks.

Known for her infectious energy and impeccable selection of acid techno, breakbeat, and vintage rave tracks, Dr. Rubinstein has carved the kind of path only a true raver can. On Friday, October 4th this path leads Dr. Rubinstein tp the 16th anniversary of Control Club.

Dr. Rubinstein’s love for electronic goes back to her early years in Tel Aviv, where she first became enthralled by rave culture. Her nights spent dancing in Israel’s underground scene formed the basis for a spiritual connection with techno and acid music—a connection that would come to define her identity as a DJ. Rubinstein often speaks about the meditative quality of dancing, an experience she describes as “freeing the mind” and achieving a state of absolute happiness. Her approach to DJing was further shaped by a turning point in her life—a car accident that left her bedridden for a month. During this time, Rubinstein turned to crate-digging.

While many DJs leverage record labels, residencies, or production work to establish themselves, Rubinstein has remained committed to DJing as an art form, earning her accolades purely through the strength of her sets and the determination of her work ethic. Despite the superficial pressures of the digital age, her dedication to vinyl and robust knowledge of the craft of DJing has remained central to her identity. Her sets are not marked by high-end production or extravagant visuals but by raw energy. Musically, her selection spans decades, weaving breakbeat, house, acid, and rave tunes to create an ever-evolving dancefloor atmosphere.

Since moving to Berlin in 2012, Rubinstein went from performing at smaller venues like ://about blank to headlining at Berghain. Her international reputation has also steadily grown, with regular performances across Europe, the United States, South America, Asia, and Australia. From prominent venues such as Bassiani in Georgia, Fuse in Brussels, and BASEMENT in New York to headlining festival stages at Dekmantel, Melt!, Sónar, Glitch, and Lowlands, rarely does a quality event go by without featuring Dr. Rubinstein on its lineup.

But, despite her international success, Rubinstein’s ethos remains grounded in the underground culture from which she emerged. Her DIY ethos is perhaps best exemplified by her founding of Quarantine FM, a live-streaming series born during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she invited fellow artists to play records from her living room. Etapp Kyle, Eric Cloutier, Dasha Rush, Hector Oaks, Tijana T, and Ellen Alien are among its guests. In that era’s saturation of such live streams, the intimacy and camaraderie of Quarantine FM added intangibility to the series, making it one of the most viewed.

Dr. Rubinstein’s career took a new turn in 2024 with the launch of her own label, Uppers and Downers, and the release of her debut EP, Rubi’s Acid Spa. A long-awaited entry into music production, the EP features three high-energy acid techno tracks, all staples in her DJ sets. Her decision to launch a label and begin producing music comes after years of channelling this feeling through her DJ sets. Mixes for Resident Advisor, HATE, fabric, Truancy, Phonica, and more can also be heard across the internet.

Whether behind the decks at Berghain or in front of a festival crowd, Rubinstein’s commitment to music as a communal, transformative experience makes her an artist.