Interview - Iceberg

Roomania: Hello Iceberg, welcome to “Roomania”. You’ve been DJing for a some time now, so I would like to open with this: What drew you to sound/music that gave you your "eureka" moment? In your opinion, what is the power of music?

Helloѐ “Roomania”. Thank you for the opportunity to share a mix in your latest project. “Roomania”. As for the "eureka" moment, it came to me at a young age when my parents realized that without music I wasn’t falling asleep. That’s the case to this day. Music is a powerful tool and if you know and understand it well enough, you will enjoy it in a special way. It’s a sort of medicine.

Roomania: What were the biggest challenges and goals in your beginnings as a DJ and what has changed over time?

I had no particular goals other than wanting to share my music with people who would enjoy what I wished to present and watch them enjoy the sounds. A lot has changed from my beginnings until now. Back then we were "loaded" with records and turntables, but full of enthusiasm for what was to come later in the evening. We went to parties full of zest. In those intimes there was an audience that wanted to listen to and enjoy the music. These days we rarely use vinyls and turntables; headphones and a USB in your pocket and you go to a performance, where a small percentage of the people who come actually want to lose themselves and enjoy. The use of modern toys is much more in fashion and people do not have the same energy, although it is that new reality which being as it is, we miss a lot in these periods after this world madness that took us away from raving and the beauty that music gives us.

Roomania: How do you prepare for a performance? How do you build your DJ set?

I used to select about a hundred records and hoped they were the right choices to play a good 3-4 hours in order for the party to succeed. Nowadays, as I mentioned, with digitalization many things are simpler. You can record 200-300 tracks on a USB stick and you have a wider choice of music to present to the audience. I am not one of those who strictly adheres to "my" style, I prefer to connect with the audience and enjoy, certainly not at any cost and definitely not at the cost of playing commercial music. One should want to hear someone who will play them something new, and not something that he can hear several times throughout the day, whether at work, in the car or on TV.

Roomania: If you close your eyes and transport yourself to your favorite performance over the years, which performance would that be and why?

There are so many, but I will single out one of my really dear performances in the distant 2006. My first time performing outside of Macedonia, I played in a renowned place in Novi Sad called “Gradilishte”. Unfortunately it does not exist anymore. It was a place where many renowned artists have performed, so it was a chance for me to give it my all. I was invited by a group of enthusiasts called "Controversy gang", and a crazy party took place, from midnight to early morning. Crowded “Gradilishte” with people dancing all night long. Like a lot of other great parties, it did not end there, it carried on in the form of an afterparty in another club. Crazy and unforgettable.

Roomania: You often attend Romanian festivals. What’s the difference between the energy there and the events in Macedonia?

From 2012 onwards I haven’t missed a single one. Initially, I went on "Sunwaves", and a few years ago "Mioritmic", two of the leading festivals in Romania, and certainly in Europe. Great organization, amazing sound systems and a unique selection of DJs. A festival program that has a starting date, but the ending date is a question mark. The great music never stops. The audience have an amazing energy and ina great attitude towards the artists and among themselves. They dance in ecstasy, people’s energy on the several podiums never exhausts and the music captivates. Those who have been, know what I'm talking about. This hasn’t happened here yet. We are quite behind, organizational and enthusiastic.

Roomania: Priku or Raresh? 

Raresh definitely - different and positive.

Roomania: From which producer would you buy a record without ever hearing it?

Silat Beksi, Traumer.. there are many.

Roomania: Most artists go through a phase of learning and imitation. How did you develop as an artist? What is the connection between copying, learning and one’s own creativity?

Phases change with experience; in the beginning you follow who is playing what. With time comes the experience of what you want to play and how you want to play music. Style also changes over time. Just because you play the same music that someone else plays, does not mean that you are copying. To me that means you have the same taste. The skill of how you play the music is very important, to emphasize and show all of your creativity, both technically and with a good selection of music, for the party to develop properly.

Roomania: How would you describe your “Artefact Records” label?

"Artefact" is the fruit of long presence in music, as well as a long friendship with Christian (House sound of Skopje). It happened overnight, we chatted while hanging out and realized that we want to do something to contribute and help new young artists in our country and in the Balkans. We wanted to promote artists who create, but don’t have enough experience and contacts to place their production on some of the digital online stores. We do not tie ourselves in a certain style, we publish everything inthat is electronic music, which we think has quality and is worth releasing so that it can reach like minded people all over the world.

Roomania: If you could get stuck in the music scene for a year, which year would it be?

It can hardly be reduced to a year, but certainly a period from 1997-8 to 2005, when electronic music actually began to gain momentum in our country and was enjoyed with great enthusiasm in certain places.

Roomania: Finally, how would you describe your mix for "Roomania"? Why should fans hear this mix?

I would describe it as 'late night action' because I recorded it in the early morning hours. It abounds with a lot of new, as well as older music that I always want to incorporate in my sets. A genre mix of deep tech & break, all ina style called rominal, which was actually born from the Romanian scene. Here's an invitation for your fans to click play on your Soundcloud account and listen. Keep doing you until we meet again and with the hope of sorting out the madness that happened to us as soon as possible, so that we can gather somewhere and enjoy the music that connects us all.