Jovan Vucetic hails from Serbia and at the young age of only 17 he’s already causing a storm on the Tech House scene, appearing on labels such as Lapsus Music, Nurvous, NastyFunk, In You, Monotonik, Freakin 303 and more.. As he gets ready to drop his excellent new ‘Feelz Ep’ on Griffintown Records, we check in with the wunderkind…
A huge welcome to DMCWORLD Jovan Vucetic, where on planet earth are you today?
Thanks for the warm welcome! I’m here in Belgrade, Serbia, enjoying the warm summer days (though there’s loads of rain lately).
How has your summer been so far?
My summer has been great and filled with lots of music events and festivals so far, thanks for asking.
What is the best piece of new music you have heard recently?
When it comes to house/tech house, it’s definitely Luuk Van Dijk – Parallax! Luuk really went in on that one. I’m also a big fan of deeper and afro sounds though so Adam Port’s “Do You Still Think Of Me” is a track of the summer for me.
You’re from Belgrade, which top Serbian DJs and producers should we be checking out?
There are loads of great DJ’s and producers out here! Some of them definitely worth checking out are: Mene, that has recently had some big support from The Martinez Bros and more big guns, and if you like the progressive/techno side of electronic music, you should definitely check out Ilija Djokovic and Coeus!
Tell us bit about how you first got into making dance music and your first break with your debut release?
I started going out mid-2016 which is kinda weird as I’m not even 18 yet, but I fell in love with electronic music very quickly and after going out for a while, I decided to give production a try and after a while I realised that it’s something I’d love to do and that I’d love to share my music with world! My first official release was on Culture Records, a label that helped me kick things off with my track ‘Impulse’ released on there. That track went on to receive some great support.
When making a new track, who or what inspires your sound and what’s your favourite piece of kit?
Lots of things can inspire me when producing my tracks, I take inspirations from lots of non-electronic genres too as well as hip-hop. Not really sure what my favourite piece of kit would be as I work on just a pair of monitors and my computers, but I love using Arturia VST synthesizers!
You’re releasing your new ‘Feelz EP’ on Griffintown Records, what can we expect to hear?
Really glad that this EP is finally coming out! It consists of 3 original tracks of mine – ‘Bloom’, which I’d say is more of a deeper, warm-up vibes kind of track, ‘Feelz’ – a peak time tech house groover and The Drug (a collaboration with Killed Kassette) is raw and techy for the big room floors. Cee El Assaad and Sound Of Mint have also collaborated on a remix of my track ‘Bloom’ and they have brought beautiful afro house vibes to their remix.
How did you link up with Killed Kassette and what was it like working with him on ‘The Drug’?
Niall (Killed Kassette) and I started talking a while ago and have collaborated before on our track ‘Flashback’ which came out last year on Carpe Diem Musica. After that we decided to give making one more track together a shot and we made ‘The Drug’, a raw tech house groover that we really enjoyed working on.
El Assaad & Sound Of Mint have contributed a remix of ‘Bloom’, what did they bring to the table?
I think that they’ve made a beautiful, moody and melodic afro house version of my track, and I’m really glad to have them on remix duties.
You’ve released on labels such as Lapsus Music, Nurvous, NastyFunk, In You, Monotonik, Freakin 303, Seta label and more, which is your own personal favourite release to date and why?
I’d say my personal favourite is my track ‘Breakdown’ on Be One Records – in my opinion it’s one of the best tracks I’ve made to this date.
Who would you most like to make a collaboration with or a remix for?
I’d definitely love to officially remix any of my favourite artists such as Jamie Jones, Loco Dice or The Martinez Brothers if given a shot in the future! As for collaboration, not really sure but I guess it’d be the same as those are my favourite artists when it comes to quality grooves.
First record ever bought?
My first vinyl record I’ve ever bought was Bontan’s The First Time EP on Hot Creations. As for digital, I’m not entirely sure as I just started grabbing all the tracks I liked back when I started out learning how to DJ.
We come to raid your record collection, which embarrassing record do you chuck out the window before we arrive?
Haha, good question. Not really sure, it’d probably be one of my old productions back when I started out.
What record makes you say ‘damn, I wish I made that’?
Surely Luuk Van Dijk – Parallax. I’ve seen lots of videos of it being played everywhere and the reaction it gets everytime is priceless!
Which parties or festivals are you most looking forward to playing at this year?
I’m playing my first ever festival in Krusevac, Serbia in August – Oaza Festival. Really excited to be able to drop beats to bigger crowds for the first time.
Three big tunes in your record box this weekend…
Luuk Van Dijk – Parallax
Ramon Tapia – Deepa
Intrusive – Roll It Gal
Finally what’s coming next from you?
I have a remix I’ve done in collaboration with my friend Vaxx (Glasgow Underground) for Aert Prog coming out on Andre Salmon & Aert Prog’s vinyl label Sagmen. I also have a 3 track EP dropping on New Violence Records later this year, so stay tuned for more info on that release.
Jovan Vucetic ‘Feelz EP’ (incl. Cee ElAssaad & Sound Of Mint remix and Killed Kassette) is out now on Griffintown Records.
