Exclusive interview with Romania’s No. 1 DJ/Producer and label boss
Interview : Dan Prince
Dude welcome to DMCWORLD, Romania in the house! Where in the world are you right now?
“Thank you kindly…I am between flights. Bored to death in Zurich airport.”
Huge new tune smashing up dancefloors all over the world, ‘Ancient Future’ swinging our way on Yousef’s Circus label. Talk us through the tune, how did it end up on Yoss’s label?
“I never expected this big reaction for that last track. Yousef was playing and supporting my earlier tracks so a connection between us was almost normal. We taken our time and selected the proper stuff to be out, so here it is. One small hint this is just EP1 – wait to hear EP2!”
Also doing serious damage on the EP that you have created with Hector Morales is ‘Kanaroos’ and Jazzistan’ – again, talk us through the tunes…
“Hector is like a brother. A very warm personality and positive. He is known for his old skool flavor and I am known for playing a lot of Techno, Acid and Garage stuff so also an old skooler…the flow was there and bang. Watch out, we have started a follow up that’s bigger and better…
How did the whole Hector Moralez hook up happen?
“Actually I was in a nearby city to see him playing and I liked his music, attitude and way of working with people – but I didn’t dare to enter in contact (I am very shy) during that night. Later on I searched for him. Found him and immediately we hooked up. Two minds, same vision.”
Over at DMC we absolutely loved your ‘How Much 909’track, Loco Dice adored that record. Did you know on completion you had created a monster?
“Actually yes. After completing it I tested it in a couple of places and then every time I started a gig with that track people went really wild. I knew it was big and I knew it needed a proper platform for releasing it. Loco Dice immediately wanted it for Desolat. I always had this “Steve Jobs” kind of vision. I do not want to create many tracks. I prefer to make few tracks but really good rather then doing many and not so good. I think this is the industry’s problem today. Too many things are being released and have no quality.”
So let’s kick back young man, how old were you when you started to fall in love with dance music? How did you gain access to the tunes?
“I am 33 so not so young and restless anymore. I started very early at the age of 8. My brother was DJ and kept taking me with him cause my parents were gone and there was no one to stay with me.”
What is your earliest music memory?
“At the age of 8 I went to a club and I saw these turntables and these big “rounds” (vinyls) and I was hypnotized by them. Instant attraction.”
First break into the music industry?
“In 2009 when I released on Steve Lawler’s imprint Viva Music.”
Fact or fiction, you can speak six foreign languages?
“Fact. English , French, Spain, Italian, Hungarian and Romanian of course. Btw where do you know that?”
It’s called being a sneaky journalist dude. Tell us about your weekly Sunday night radio show…
“I own a label called Natural Rhythm and also I do this Sunday night radio show called also Natural Rhythm. It is broadcasted live @Vibe FM Romania and also in several countries. I try to feature the newest music I get even though 90% I delete due to lack of quality.”
For all our thousands of readers from all around the world, can you describe the club/music/DJ scene in your home country at the moment?
“Romania I think in this moment has reached a peak regarding the producers and DJs. Also I would like to mention Bacau my hometown – a city that spawned a lot producers and DJs: Raresh, Marcman, Elchinsoul, LVD, Emi Mateis, M-Phunk, Gruuv Element’s and is a very fertile ground for underground music DJs and producers. Like a friend said to me once, there must be something in the water.”
Anthem of the summer?
“For me there were 4 anthems:
- 1.Ninetoes – Finder
- 2.Breach – Jack
- 3.Horatio – How Much 909 can you take?
- 4.Gruia – Malediction
Where have some of your stand out gigs been these past few months?
- 1.All the Natural Rhythm parties from the summer. Was a mind blowing summer season. So many people joining and partying. Big thanks to Escu, Zozo and the rest of my crew for the support and help in this endeavor.
- 2.Nature Calls Festival…Mr.Julian the perfect host. Check me finishing my set here…
- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=328532873949319&set=vb.207921335900895&type=3&theater
- 3.Talent Frei Bern…Big love for Thor,Tina, papa Sven & the Ametist crew. Love playing with them.
- 4.Sommerjam in Frankfurt…Penga Lukas Merlin I love you guys…
- 5.We Are Fstvl in London…Nikki Gordon did such a fine job…
- 6.Warehouse Project in Manchester…This one was to be remembered…Mr.Lee Spence needs a special mention cause he was the man with capital.
- 7.Kristal Glam Club in Bucharest. I’d like to show my respect for Ms.Madalina and her stuff for the kind warm welcome to Kristal Glam.
What is your advice to producers and DJs in your home country?
“To the producers I advise to focus more on the actual quality of the tracks and stop running around for vinyl releases. For the DJs I have this advice: be more open minded. Music doesn’t stops it always evolves.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“HORATIO EP2 on CIRCUS is gonna be a really smasher. Another fine EP with Elchinsoul and Gruia (two very good buddies of mine) on DEGREE RECORDS . HORATIO WORD ON THE STREET (a 4 track EP smashed by Richie Hawtin already) on my own imprint Natural Rhythm. The rest I keep them secret…I locked them and threw away the key…Just joking…Actually working on a follow with Hector Moralez…”
https://www.facebook.com/Horatioofficial
http://soundcloud.com/horatiotherealone
