The Greek electronic music superstar gets set for a monumental Autumn with releases swinging our way on Kling Kong, Bedrock and Elrow. And is the long term resident at one of the craziest clubs on the planet…
Interview by Dan Prince
CJ a huge welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you right now?
Hello DMC! Just came back from Berlin so am currently in sunny Athens.
The best piece of new music you have heard today?
It’s an FKA twigs day today, currently listening to ‘Good To Love’. Best thing I’ve heard today, and I don’t think it will be topped.
Well young man, you have everyone talking about you at the moment thanks to your forthcoming releases…all top quality. Let’s kick off with the EP on Kling Klong, please talk us through the music…
The Kling Klong release is another one I’m super proud of. It’s been busy year for me, firstly on Objektivity with my studio partner Thodoris Triantafillou, then something on Glasgow Underground and a remix for Yoshotoshi records of the legendary Eddie Amador. Working for labels that were some of the first ones I’ve ever started listening to when `I was getting into dance music is like a dream come true, and being part of their history is for me a reason to keep on working harder and harder.
Second up you have a single swinging our way on John Digweed’s Bedrock label, tell us about it…
Yes , this will actually be the third time I’ve released on Bedrock. For me it is always a challenge to release on Bedrock: it’s one of the best label around, and I know that John Digweed has a very special taste in music which is the reason he’s been at the very top of him game for so many years. So every time that an email arrives from him saying that he loves my music, that’s a very special moment!
And finally, another release about to drop…this time on the fabulous elrow imprint. Describe your sounds…
This one is a an incredibly sexy dance floor track, and one of my very favourite productions. Can’t wait for this to be out, already getting great feedback everywhere I test this one.
Okay let’s rewind for a moment and discover where this musical dynamo beganhis journey to the top. Born and bred in Greece, what is your earliest musical memory from your childhood – have you hailed from a musical family?
My family is one of music lovers. When I was younger I always remember music playing in pretty much every room in the house. All the moment – both happy and sad and everywhere in between – are linked to music, there was a constant soundtrack to those early experiences. Some of the strongest memories are hearing music from Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead, some psychedelic rock that probably eased me getting into dance music! From trip hop to the rave revolution was a natural progression I think.
When did dance music first start appearing on your radar and how?
When I became a student it crept in slowly, and eventually completely took over. Looking back it was a proper musical revolution: every single or album that we listened to was a new experience and open us up to even more artists or producers who we’d never heard about before.
Was a career in music always going to be your mission in life, was there any other path a possibility?
I studies sociology, and would definitely call myself a sociologist. I still love thinking and talking about how we all interact with one another, and try and be a better man. It’s still a big and evolving part of my life. But yes, music is what I always wanted to do, and once I was on that path there was no getting off it.
Early DJ/producer influences?
Danny Tenaglia was the first electronic master for me. And then later but equally as influential, Maetrik. Maetrik did the first remix on my label Rhythematic around 13 years ago, something I was – and still am – incredibly proud of. Both producers for me just took music to another level; their sound was a completely new category of dance music. Danny transformed house, and Maetrik developed a kind of techno I hadn’t heard before.
You have been one of the best clubs on the planet at Cavo Paradiso. Wow. Surely one of the best clubs in the world to play at?
14 years and still counting! Cavo is one of the best clubs in the world, Mykonos has the energy that you seeking in an island before and after the Party, there’s something truly special about that place. People come with a special energy to party with you. You’re more than welcome to join me next year and experience it for yourself!
Tell us about your appearance at the Olympic’s Closing Ceremony in Athens, must have been incredible! How did that come about?
That was special, one of the most emotional moments of my entire life, and for sure a lifetime career highlight. It was at Panthinaikos stadium which is a proper ancient theatre. There energy there is incredible, even on a normal night, so this was just something else.
What are the big 5 tunes in your box this weekend, lease give us a few words on each…
Cassius – Go Up (Butch Remix)
Oh man Butch is on fire with this one, absolutely love it.
Emanuel Satie vs Roberto Rodriguez featuring Max C ‘Ride Your Body’ (Sabb Afterdark Mix)
Sabb took it to another level: moving dance floors around the world.
Thodoris Triantafillou, Echonomist – Comodia (Original Mix)
Perfect one for the afterhours, hypnotic melodies all over this.
Dennis Ferrer – Maniac 3000 (Original Mix)
I love this side of Dennis’s production, shows absolutely no mercy whatsoever!
Quenum – Solitaire (Original Mix)
A perfect, groovy bomb.
What has been the best DJ gig of 2016?
Warung, Brazil. Oh man I lobe that place, back there in February and already looking forward to it. The location is amazing, great hospitality and when the sun comes up…yes, that feeling! I felt at home there the very first time I played and that hasn’t changed.
Your favorite track of 2016?
Loco Dice – Keep It Low feat. Chris Liebing (Jimmy Edgar Remix). Even before you hear it, with the caliber of artists in there you just know it’s going to be something special… and they don’t disappoint.
An up and coming producer to watch out for?
Echonomist: keep your eyes on him. He has a unique style and has made incredible progress over the last year or so. Definitely a star in the making.
How would you say your production style has developed / changed over the years?
That’s a really hard question to answer. I would say that at the start my production was more into making emotional tracks, maybe more downtempo, trippier house if I had to describe it. But in the last few years my music has got tougher and moved closer to tech house and sometimes deeper techno, but still trippy, and with some kind of 90s influence. I think they’re different to the classic tech house ‘tool’ style track: that to be honest is not my cup of tea.
And finally, when was the last time you DJ’d to a DJ…??!?
Haha, that’s an every Thursday phenomenon! Lots of DJ friends join me at my residency every week, something that makes the party even more special.
