Croatia Squad

Interview by Nicky Trax

Welcome to DMCWORLD, a big show for you last weekend at EGG LDN, we hear there is new music coming our way?

Hey Nicky! Yes that’s right, I just finished my upcoming EP ‘Street Dance’ and Egg was amazing. I had never played with Lucas & Steve and I love their productions and they were great fun. Also Wankelmut live was brilliant.

You hail from Switzerland, can you please tell us how your music career started?

I’ve been DJing for 15 years and spent 5 summers spinning as a resident DJ in Croatia where I started this project. I started playing in the early 2000’s and House Music was my first love. You can find my musical roots are influenced by Disco & Funk.

You’re well known for your ‘Pop Your Pu**Y’ anthem – did it’s success take you by surprise?

Absolutely. I’m doing music for fun, Pop Your Pu**Y was a song that we released on our home-base label Enormous Tunes and we didn’t expect so much reaction. It’s always great to see the DJ supporting our music and spreading good vibes through the music. It’s great to be touring and visiting new places as a DJ all around the world, meeting new people that know and love you because of your own productions.

You also compile the hugely successful annual compilation series “Croatia The Opening” which contains exclusive chill-out tracks from some of the biggest names in scene…

I’m always looking for new talents to support. It’s not about the style, it’s about the good vibes, the innovation and the quality of the music, for example on my new EP ‘SQUAD GOALS’ I signed tracks by Brazilian producers Chemical Surf, Nytron and Bruno Furlan. I’m also releasing something new in collaboration with my studio-buddy ‘Me & My Toothbrush’.

You have had a big year so far on the road…?

I love the touring around the world. In February we did a bus tour through the US with our Enormous Tunes label-buddies EDX, Nora En Pure and Antonio Giacca which was madness playing a show a day in 21 different cities. Carl Cox played 2 of my songs in his sets recently and seeing such a legend have so much fun playing out my music is a highlight for sure!

How has the Swiss music scene changed over the years?

I play 2 yearly shows in Switzerland for the No Xcuses label in exclusive venues. We used to have big electronic music raves in the 90’s which unfortunately disappeared. The satisfaction for underground electronic music in Switzerland is in the making!!

Whih of the Swisss new school DJ/Producers coming through do you rate at the moment?

Nora En Pure is awesome and always surprises me with huge club cuts.

Anyone from around the world?

I’m loving the UK’s very own Low Steppa – he keeps the house vibe alive and always sounds fresh and interesting. I’m a big Garage fan since back in the days.

And finally, the big 10 tunes rocking your box at the moment?

EDX-Roadkill (EDX’s Ibiza Sunrise Remix)

https://soundcloud.com/edxmusic/edx-roadkill

Roadkill is one of Ibiza 2016 essential track’s

Croatia Squad & Lika Morgan – Make Your Move (Enomous Tunes)

https://soundcloud.com/croatiasquad/croatia-squad-lika-morgan-make-your-move

Released on my homebase Enormous Tunes, my first number 1 ‘Make Your Move’ on Beatport, remake of one of my all-time classics, glad to get Lika Morgan to collaborate on this one.

Antonio Giacca – The Philly Jam (Enormous Tunes)

https://soundcloud.com/antoniogiacca/the-philly-jam

Antonio Giacca is known for his surprises, the philly jam brings so much coolness and grooves, you definitely should check this out

Chemical Surf – Down (Squad Goals EP Vol. 1)

https://soundcloud.com/chemicalsurf/chemical-surf-down-original-mix-by-no-definition

I picked DOWN by Chemical Surf for my SQUAD GOALS EP released on No Definition. Glad to have them talented brazilian artists on board.

Henry Krinkle – Ash

https://soundcloud.com/henry-krinkle/ash

Just discovered this producer. His new single ASH is a bomb.

Croatia Squad – Pop Your Pu**Y (Enormous Tunes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8K6sdrDwcE

Pop Your Pu**Y was chosen by Beatport as one of the Top 10 all-time Nu Disco / Indie Dance essentials and is one of my personal favorites aswell.