DJ DEE
DEE ventured into the world of electronic music in 2008, developing a unique style by experimenting with different genres. As an active DJ since 2010, she enriches her identity with house, UK garage, breaks and Detroit techno.. Her performances, which span from this region through Europe, aim to share her ultimate musical expression with audiences. With residencies in various clubs and multiple experiences in Amsterdam (ADE) and Africa, DEE is leaving her mark on the music scene. Her dedication to music and advancement of creative expression, make her an influential figure in the electronic music scene. Attracted by the "suitcase and me" lifestyle, DEE moves to Skopje, choosing the city because of its funk scene and the talented Macedonian musical creative spirit.
IIt is our pleasure to talk with Diјana Knežević a.k.a. DJ DEE:
Hi Diјana! Welcome to Roomania.mk. Our upcoming joint event at club Epicentar this Saturday is a great opportunity to conduct this interview and introduce you to our supporters. We know that you are serious and experienced in your career, but before we focus on the latest developments, we would like to briefly discuss your beginnings.
Can you share how DEE found her place in the world of DJing and the electronic music industry?
First of all, I would like to thank you for the invitation and the following conversation. The beginning of my journey was in 2008, when I actually started to get interested in, and enter the world of electronic music. Most of my peers at that time were already in this industry. Many DJs, but also many listeners of electronic music around me. I got the needed equipment and in a short year, I learned some techniques. Since 2010 I have been active as a DJ in this scene.
What was so intensely influential that prompted you to follow this scene and choose it as your path?
Honestly, music is my great unconditional love and passion. From the very beginning, I approached her that way and with great respect. There are things we can't explain, so I would call them magic. I never thought that this profession would occupy most of my life. It happened spontaneously and the way it should. Ultimately, music is a sacred language. We're dealing with something you can't touch, but you know it's there.
Listening through your sets, we are certain that you have a rich and varied musical taste, without limits. It’s clear that your range of musical interests is broad. Which are your favorite genres and styles that define you as a DJ?
I've changed along with the genres over the years. Truthfully, I never wanted to limit myself to just one genre. Through music, we always find something new about ourselves and have the chance to pass it on to other people. I would say that house is definitely the base in my selection, but you can also hear UK garage, breaks and the occasional flirting with Detroit techno. My energy itself is variable and so is the music I choose.
Is there a difference between the music you listen to at home and the playlists you present when performing?
Most of the time I listen to very different music. I can say for myself that I am a listener first and a DJ second. I grew up on funk, hip hop and drum & bass music in the 90s. Listening to music is one of the most important things, because this is how we expand our taste and feeling. The playlists I make are color coded and based on my mood. For me, each color carries a certain emotion, and so do the playlists. There are days when I only listen to classical music, melancholic rock, or music I've bought to play at my shows. There are no rules.
You now live in Skopje. What made you move and why did you choose Skopje as your new home?
For years, my life has been based on "my suitcase and I" lifestyle. I got used to living like that. I was born in Belgrade and I know all its phases. In recent years, I stopped loving Belgrade and its energy. I’ve always loved Macedonia and I started visiting again alongside my friends during the weekends to hear Macedonian DJs. We always had a blast. I was ready to make a change. There were two options - Zagreb or Skopje - and I chose Skopje. As I mentioned, I intuitively felt that it would be good for me to spend some time here. I wasn't wrong.
What do you like most about Skopje when compared to Belgrade, especially about the music scene?
I see Skopje as the capital of funk. I was drawn to get to know the music culture, and what I can say is that you really have a quality and comprehensive music selection. I am always amazed by something new that my colleagues show me. Artists like Како Mosaik Kollektif, Tomi Bojadzi, Stojche, Herzel, De Yan, DJ Goce, Mihail P, Dzijan Emin etc.,I thank you. In my opinion, Belgrade has lost some key features and gained new ones which I don't particularly enjoy. When we discuss a city of millions, it's a shame that there are only a few clubs for pop music, and only two clubs promoting an alternative scene. I can't compare, as they have different scenes; I can only say that I love it here and have a great time with great people and great music.
Apart from Skopje and Belgrade,which other cities have you performed in?
Besides regionally, I also perform throughout Europe. Two weeкс ago I played in Amsterdam. But mostly, I am here, regionally.
Is there a club that is particularly dear to you where you have worked as a resident?
I will mention Amsterdam again. In 2013 I had a residency in a bar there, it is a period that I can say left deep traces on my path, both musically and in life. After that, I had a residency in Africa, which was a great experience, and a club in Croatia, where I’ve been a resident for three years now.
Does each residency have its own unique energy, or is there something in common that attracts you to all these locations?
Staying in these three places is completely different, including the music. The club on the Adriatic Sea is open air and has a capacity of 2,000 people. The bigger the club, the bigger the responsibility, but it also gives you the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, get to know different cultures, etc.
The life of a traveling DJ is not always ideal "behind the scenes". It can often be very exhausting. What are your personal experiences on this topic?
On social media, the life of a DJ looks very exciting; the euphoria of a gig in Paris on Saturday morning, ice cream in sunny Rome on Sunday and a set in a cult Berlin club that same night. What we don't see is the fatigue, loneliness or stress that comes with this profession. From personal experience, my example is a performance in France and no sleep for 48 hours, after which I went to sleep and woke up with anxiety and the thought that some action must be taken.
Can a DJ expect ideal conditions at every performance, or are they exposed to constant adaptation to different and unexpected situations?
If you don't have an agent or someone representing you, expect surprises. And there are quite a few good things, that is the process of our journey. Overnight success is built over years.
Irregular life and frequent changes can cause various unwanted consequences. How important is mental support and health in the world of the electronic music industry?
Mental hygiene is important! Little is said, and most people struggle with trauma, poor lifestyle, lack of regular sleep, excessive consumption of alcohol and opiates. Everything is available to us. Running away from reality and our own problems, by consuming said things, leads to even worse feelings, and we are all very sensitive inside. Balance is important in life, so I always say that if you're going to try something, don't overdo it.
What are your methods for managing stress and staying in shape, especially when we look at the hectic lifestyle that is often part of the professional routine?
After I overcame my illness 5 years ago, I changed my routine, and this is my third lifestyle change so far. I cut out most of my diet and heavy drinking (opiates 8 years ago). Two things that do not leave my routine are going out and regular sleep. During the week I try to go to bed before midnight, however, the weekend is different, but it's not terrible because I don't consume anything, so now my life is easier.
What is the potential risk for depression in this profession?
I went through severe depression in 2018, which ended up with me being treated in a mental institution for 24 days. The most difficult and the most beautiful period of my life. Depression itself is difficult even as a word. I can say from experience that through depression we can see some of our dark sides and fears which we struggle with and recognize them in the most difficult moments. There is darkness and light. Depression is a virus that must be treated. Suicidal thoughts are very strong in that state, I personally tried to take my own life several times, but obviously it was not my way. People suffering from depression don't hate life, they just don't like the state they are in at the moment. Let's take into account that some of the best albums which we still consider legendary today, were made in depressed states.
What were the most difficult moments in your career as a DJ?
I can single out two periods that were the most difficult for me so far. The struggle with depression and treatment (2 years), and after that the Covid period. Those 4 years in a row were really hard for me.
Can success be achieved exclusively as a DJ, or is it necessary to be a producer as well? Although they are two separate professions, can success be achieved through only one of them, or is it a challenge that covers both areas?
As things stand on the world stage, visual identity is more important than music. We are currently living in a pop era. Hyper Pop is just as popular right now as EDM was before it. The delivery that sends us the current state is ADHD. Thеse kinds of things have always existed in electronic music and it's the same as fashion. As for the production, it's not important, but it's desirable to express ourselves as artists, what we want to say because it opens the door for some other things. With this, I must say that there are many young talented people delivering very high quality production. I personally don't follow trends; I stay away from them because I've developed my own taste and anyone who wants to listen to me will book me because they know what I'm doing. You should always be yourself, because trends are fleeting.
Do you believe that only commercial producers can successfully make money in this profession? There are many examples of artists who have drastically changed their musical style over the years, often for existential reasons.
If we talk about "business", which for me is a terrible word to use, I haven't been in that situation and I can't judge the artists who have gone in those directions because I don't know their story and path. So I can just like it or not.
When it comes to the quality of music production, do you think that it can also be found in commercial and pop music, or is it reserved only for artists who are not so well known and work under lesser known labels?
Absolutely, I love listening to quality pop, why not?! Currently, we have an example where Afrobeat has merged with pop culture and a good mix has been created. In terms of production, what someone has done production-wise is more important to me than the theme.
What are the most nostalgic moments or years for you in the electronic music scene?
I stopped being nostalgic, because as Laurent Garnier said, there were great parties before, but I still enjoy and have good parties now. So, hearing his statement actually opened a new window for me to look at things that way. If we stay stuck with a period in the past, we will not move forward and we will live in the past, and we cannot get it back.
What moments or elements do you think are missing in the electronic music scene today?
In particular, in our region we lack more mutual cooperation, more companionship and unification. We can only change something together, not individually. I always try to gather colleagues from any field, whether they are musicians, sound engineers or DJs. It is important that we help each other and that there are more collaborations.
What are your next projects and plans for the near future?
To finish that EP that goes on and on... I'm waiting for a trip to the Adriatic Sea in May .. and that's it for now. I stopped planning about those things.
If you were to deliver a message to young people who are interested in entering the world of DJing, what would you say to them?
Do not rush anywhere, go step by step, do not skip important things that are part of the process. Produce your own music, build your own style. Be a warm-up DJ for a while until some opportunities open up for you. Work on as long sets as possible for any given moment or atmosphere.
What can we expect from DEE's performance on Saturday, at club Epicentar?
Epicentar, like several other clubs, is unique in its own way. It gives me space to express myself the way I want and feel. Since this is where we part, after this conversation I am going to choose music for Saturday. See you on the dance floor.
*DEE's answers were translated from Serbian to Macedonian to English.
The event will be at club Epicentar (Skopje) on February 3, 2024. Tickets at the door of Epicentar, at a price of 300 MKD. A party you must not miss!!