We met Simon on a pleasant evening at the end of September, when the weather was still showing its summer face. We got to know a very nice and friendly artist, with whom we had a great chat about music and the scene. He visited and played in 4 different countries during one week. We are proud to have him play at our party, these types of faces are the ones who move the music industry forward.
Tell me about your first steps. How you jumped into electronic music and djing?
It started over 10 years ago. When I recognized that electronic music and all the cultural facets who are present in this scene fascinated me a lot. At that time I could not discover that in any other scene for me. I wanted to be a part of it. To make my contribution as an guest and also as a DJ and producer. Every link that makes subculture so unique attracted me and is still my motivation today.
Who are your biggest Inspiration?
My biggest inspiration is the interaction with people i meet. no matter if on the dance floor, behind the bar, at the door, collectives or other djs.
You are from Munich. Tell me a bit about the local scene.
As in every big city in Germany, there is also a strongly rooted scene in Munich. Collectives, music labels and creative crews make a big contribution to the city’s nightlife. In recent years, I’ve noticed that the local scene is undergoing a transformation. On the one hand, creative playgrounds for DJs and collectives such as festivals and open airs in the summer months have doubled in size, and on the other hand, long-established underground/subculture institutions are struggling to survive or have already had to close. The reasons for this are relatively clear: rent prices, strict regulations from the authorities, competition in the already weak summer months with commercialised open air events (which only integrate the local scene to a certain extent). There is a lot of movement in the scene. Fast, beautiful but also a challenge for anyone who wants to stay part of it. Local scene lives from subculture that is continuously available throughout the year.
You are at an east European tour. How it comes? Tell me a bit about each stations. What are the biggest differences between this countries?
In recent years I have had the opportunity to expand my network of artists, promoters and crews abroad. That’s how this tour came about. Tirana, Skopje, Budapest and Prague in 7 days. Since I work abroad without a booking agency and also organised this tour myself, the effort is of course relatively high. However, I create a direct personal relationship with promoters, crews, DJs and locals in the scene. And as I already mentioned above, my motivation as a DJ is not to stand in a club, play for 2 hours and go to the hotel. I want to absorb cultures, understand how they work. To get to know all the facets, problems and peculiarities of the scene.
My tour started in Tirana, Albania. Impulsive, loud, chaotic and an insanely thriving city. There are DJs in almost every bar during the summer months, life takes place on the streets. Unfortunately, I was there for too short a time to delve deeper into the scene. The concept of Kino Tirana, the location where I played on Friday, is totally special. It’s a mixture of bar, DJ on the terrace and cosy warm club flair inside. Through conversations with the main actors, it’s also one of the few places that make sure that the audience is as diverse as possible. Homophobia and discrimination is also still an issue in Albania. Kino Tirana is a safe space for everyone who wants to start the club night with a good drink in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
The next morning, a driver took me 300 km through the Albanian mountains, over bad roads, through wild nature into Macedonia. After 6 hours of the most impressive car ride I ever had, I landed in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. I was warmly welcomed by Marko, one of the organisers. Together with his partner Nikola, he runs Brutalisk, a multi-functional cultural centre consisting of a bar, club, radio and fashion label. I am impressed by how well thought-out and detailed the initiators run this centre. Brutalisk is the unfiltered and passionate view of Macedonian subculture. The local scene in Macedonia is in upheaval. Due to the pandemic, most of the initiatives in Skopje had to close down. But I am sure that places like Brutalisk, combined with talented local DJs like Martina Peneva, with whom I shared the decks that night, will put Skopje on the radar of quality electronic music and cultural life.
My third stop was Budapest. a completely different world. Big, majestic and impressive city. I am incredibly grateful that I was able to get a direct insight into the nightlife of Budapest through initiators like Gergo (owner of Viadukt, PavillonBar…) and you as Primate Hungary the organisers of the event. I think Budapest is very exciting and has a lot to offer in terms of cultural life. The nightlife is booming. But it is largely linked to tourism. Subculture is from the local scene for the local scene. I’m very happy that the politicians don’t work against the subculture locations and that the big players in gastronomy/nightlife don’t have the sceptre in their hands, tourism promotes and changes the influences in culture in a positive but also in a negative way. Through you guys, it stays balanced and timeless. Budapest has caught me, I am hooked and there is still a lot for me to discover here.
For my last stop, I crossed Hungary and Slovakia by train and ended up in Prague, Czech Republic. Here we hosted a stage at Cross Club with my home label Feta Records. Cross Club runs a unique club concept. A club that attracts different genres, scene people and tourists in combination with impressive stage decorations and art on 3 floors. Prague fascinates me, I’m curious to see what else develops here.
Who are your favorite International DJs and producers at the moment?
Since my DJ sets are inspired by various subgenres of electronic music, it’s relatively difficult for me to break it down to a handful of musicians. But to name a few: Gerd Janson and Bicep are artists who have accompanied me since the beginning of my DJ & producer passion.
What are the 3 most important things u would advice for a beginner DJ?
Well, okay I hope that doesn’t sound too pathetic and I can only speak in the view of my motives as a DJ:
1. Find your signature sound as a producer or selection in your DJ-Sets.
2. Don’t use social media for reach and virtual clicks, use it to connect with the right people who have
the same goal in real life. Live the love of music, art and culture together
3. Take your time to grow naturally in what you are doing (most important thing in this modern, fast
changing music industry)
What are your plans for the rest of the year and 2024?
I am planning a small tour this year, which I would like to combine with a short visit to Budapest. There will also be an ep release on Feta Records. For next year I would like to continue working on my analogue live project, discover new countries and their local scene, look into many happy faces on the dancefloor and continue to contribute my, albeit small, part to the local and international cultural life.
Thank you for your time and we wish you the best of luck with your plans and we hope to see you again soon.
Thank you Primate for the resume and all the lovely people on this short journey.
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