One of the stars of Viva Warriors Ibiza 2013 gets set for Brixton
Interview : Dan Prince
Alexandros welcome to DMCWORLD. An incredible summer down at VIVa WaRRIORS at Sankeys in Ibiza this summer, you must be very happy the way it’s gone?
“Hello! Thank you for having me here. It was indeed an incredible summer. I am very lucky to have played in one of the best nights of the summer to a venue which is known for its great atmosphere and vibe.”
Sankeys has done remarkably well this year, every night has offered something slightly different – what have been VIVa’s qualities that has ensured a packed house every week?
”I think it’s VIVa Warriors last year’s success and the selection of line up we had. We provide to the people music styles that were close to the VIVa Warriors character but had a different touch plus we played a lot of different and new music every week to keep the interest of people on hearing something else during our night.”
One of the biggest records of the summer down there has been ‘Wat It Duz’, coming soon on Defected – talk us through your tune…
“Well ‘What It Duz’ originally created to fill a gap between 2 songs during my live sets. I did it only for that reason but when I played it a few times I realise that its working really good! So i decided to make it an actual track but keep it really simple since I knew that being that simple was the key. Steve then has been playing it a lot and decided to do a re-edit of it which worked better than the original version so we decided to keep this and release it on Defected as a Steve Lawler edit.”
What has been your favourite night of the summer?
“We had great nights through all the summer and all artists that joined us did an amazing job but I guess was week 10 when Guti was with us and I did the closing set of the night. Its the moment that everyone in the club becomes as one and the music works to everyone the same. You can’t beat a night like this.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
Jordan Peak – It’s Time (Argy rude dub)
Christian S – Die Durch Die Nase Lachen (Original Mix)
Wade – Nothing Bad (Deltef edit)
Steve Lawler – Do Ya (Original Mix)
Sabb, Cuartero – Don’t Kill My Vibe (Original Mix)
DJ W!ld – Rainbow In My Pocket (Original Mix)
Detlef – Wat It Duz (Steve Lawler edit)
Quartet – Not Now C (Original Mix)
Anek – Come Out To Play (Sante remix)
Zohki & Roozlee – Shut (Original Mix)
So please explain your home base at the moment, wherever it is, it’s a long way from Greece!
”I actually live nowhere at the moment. I am between towns and countries the past 2 years trying to find out where my base will be for the future.”
You made your debut in 2010 and have since released music on such respected labels as Be As One, Material Series and Starlight Unlimited. But let’s rewind a little and find out where this all began. How old where you when you became interested in electronic music and who were the artists/DJs that first got your attention?
“It all started at around 1994. My brother used to do electronic music with some programs of that time on an Amiga computer and I started doing myself and really enjoyed that. It was pretty simple but real fun! I then spent 8 years in my home studio before I release my first record in 2002. My peak on that career was 2006 where I used to release music in a great label and play music in many places over the world but personal problems made me give up that name and started this new one which I feel lucky to have manage to achieve things again. Chances comes once in your life but I got a second one so I feel blessed.”
When did the idea to become a producer / DJ begin to enter your head?
“It was that time at 1994/ I used to play bass in a rock band but when I started producing dance music it instantly won me and a couple of years later I started DJing too.”
What did your family think of your decision to follow your heart and music rather than a ‘safer’ career?
“I owe everything to my family because they supported my dreams all the way. Even when I had my bad times going nowhere after 10 years doing this, they were there pushing me to go on and don’t stop. For a family in Greece supporting their child to do this is unreal because in Greece there is no profession as a DJ or music producer. They believed in me more than I believed myself.”
What was your first break into the music industry?
“I released my first record in 2002 under a different name. Then I did a lot of releases in really good labels and remixes even for Grammy Award nominees which was a big deal for me since these people where my idols. But the best years for me was around 2006 under a different name again where I had my tracks reaching the top 3 on Billboard charts, being number 1 on sales on many digital platforms and me playing music everywhere around the world in clubs where I have never imagined.”
You are renowned in experimenting with different styles of music, what different sides of electronic music are you looking at for the future, how will your sound change?
“When I started my career as Detlef I promised to myself I will do whatever I like without thinking about it. So I did tech, minimal, ethnic, abstract, jazzy and anything I felt at the time doing a track or a remix. My album is a good example of this. I have jazzy tracks, abstract, breaks, ethnic and its really musical in general. Its not finished yet though but I am really happy of the result so far. Never thought I would be able to do music like this but I did so I feel a bit proud of myself.”
You have recently signed to the ever expanding VIVa MUSiC stable, why did you feel this was the best move for you right now?
“First of all VIVa is a great label with really talented artists so I am really happy to be a part of it but mainly I am happy because I am amongst friends. It’s a business we all agree but in VIVa we see friendship first and then business. From the freelancers, to the people working in the office, to the artists we are all like a big family and that’s what it counts for me more.”
Tell me about Steve Lawler, how has he helped/encourage your music?
“It’s not the first time that happens right? Steve Lawler has helped a lot of quality artists that are out there at the moment and all of these people have strong careers. Helping is not only taking someone to gigs all over the world, it’s about discovering someone and give him a platform where he can show his talent to the world. The same he did for me and I feel very lucky that I have been chosen between a lot of real talented artists out there.”
What has been your anthem of the summer?
“Jordan Peak – It’s Time (Argy Rude dub).”
You have been flying in and out of Ibiza all summer to gigs around the world. Where have been some of your stand out gigs in recent months?
“I wouldn’t like to say that somewhere was better than somewhere else. All it matters to me is when people enjoy their selves in their own way so all of the places I visited I felt it was amazing since I felt people was having a great time!”
A massive event coming up in October, the VIVa WaRRIORS party at The Electric in Brixton, London – what can we expect from you on the night?
“London’s event last year was insane so it will be a great place for me to try out my new music and see how it works in my live acts. So new music is what to expect!”
Everyone in the VIVa camp must be really looking forward to letting their hair down that night, who is the craziest in the VIVa team – who is always the last person standing?
“That’s a great question! One thing is for sure I am the first one to go down. I am pretty sure that Steve has secret powers or something. He is the one that can last longer and the one to wake up first in the morning. I am sure it’s many years of practising.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you release wise?
”I have a release coming on Circle music with a Steve Lawler remix, an EP on a label I like a lot D-Floor from Leon, Pirupa and Nice7, a release on a great upcoming label called Serkal and the release on Defected. Then I have to finish up my album which will be released on VIVa Music. In which order I don’t know yet but everything will come out soon.”
VIVa Warriors @ ELECTRIC BRIXTON
Steve Lawler announces Electric Brixton party with Ibiza residents Darius Syrossian, Philip Bader, Detlef (live) and Anëk.
Friday 4th October 2013 (11pm-7am)
Electric Brixton – Town Hall Parade – Brixton, London
http://electricbrixton.uk.com/index.php