That time of the year

Happy #Halloween ••• #CK [@sudexro]

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🎃 

DEE PMVMT • November & December 2023

@DEEPMVMT 

#Horia is coming on 30th #October and then #November & #December dates w/ #xhalyl • #Kundalini • #KindredMusicSA • #RobertOstan • #Levchenkov • #NORDSTRØM 

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CK [DEEP MVMT] A look at his career and the London electronic scene (Published on: 03/10/2023)

Kristian Di Vogli Costica, “CK”, was born in southern Romania in 1982, in a small town near the Danube called “Corabia” (The Ship). Passionate about music from a young age, CK enjoyed the sound of “reel to reel” American music and “Romanian mainstream folk” vinyl for a long time in the 80s, when he didn’t even dream of being an electronic music DJ.

“After finishing high school in my hometown in 2001, I had to move to Bucharest in order to continue with university. It was finally the stage and the opportunity to meet for the first time some of the DJs or VSs (MCM presenters) that I admired. Radio played an important role in youth music culture, directing musical taste. Even so, at the time we didn't have any local stations, I used to listen a lot to a radio station from Bulgaria (on the other side of the Danube) at the time; there was a lot of Pop, Hip Hop and Electronic Music on the rise on this radio station too...”

About Dj's - What motivated you to become a DJ and how did your journey in the music industry begin?

For as long as I can remember, I have always been in love with music...The first moment came when I was 10 years old, when I got hooked on Radio and started collecting and recording Audio K7s. Later, I became addicted to MCM and MTV, as well as listening to various genres, including Hip Hop and Electronic Music already. At the age of 20, in 2002, I realized that Electronic Music worked very well for me and I started going to some clubs. At the time I was still in Romania and went to Space Club, Studio Martin & Kristal Glam Club a lot.

The decision to start this journey in the electronic music industry finally came at 30. It happened at the time when I realized that I had achieved most of my goals at that time and decided to take a photography course and also a Djing course, soon after a Apple production course at Subbass DJ in London.

Since I started I discovered that I can't give up these things in music, neither DJing nor production, it was the first time I really felt different. What I mean by this? It was the first time I felt different as a music lover, because now I was not only consuming music, I was also mixing it and creating it.

About Dj's - Can you share a little about your creative process? How do you approach producing your tracks?

One of the few things I did from day one was write down an idea I had on the spot. For example, even if I'm driving or doing something, if I have an idea, a name for a track, if I see something interesting on the internet or in real life, I stop everything I'm doing and write it down, whether as a message/email to myself or as a photo or video. When it comes to producing music, I start with the “song in my head” that I would like to hear at the end of the process. This changes and adapts over time. I can always add things or come up with a last minute idea that will change the initial vibe.

For example: you happen to say “enough for the night” and try to go back to sleep, but as soon as you jump into bed something new will pop into your mind, a sudden idea, or you remember that you would like to add or change something, and when see, it's back to work, making some adjustments or adding and experimenting with new elements.

I think the longest period I used to finish a track was 3 weeks, and the fastest was 4 days. I can usually do a “remix” in 2 to 4 days and an “edit” in a day or so.

That's generally how things work for me, and yes, I have to disconnect from the day-to-day and focus on the creative process which, personally, works best at night.

About DJ's - As an artist, how do you seek to connect with your audience?

In my opinion, the best thing when it comes to the public is to play in front of a crowd, be it a bar, nightclub or festival. 

Of course, presence in the virtual world is important and can reach everywhere, but physical presence and the delivery of a quality set full of positive vibes will always be remembered more and can leave beautiful emotions and memories. I always try to adapt to each place, climate and line-up, trying to connect as best as possible with the audience, to see how they react.

The advantages of a main set is that you can have a larger number of people, therefore you have a crowd 'to read'. I personally have a soft spot for “warm up” sets, as I can start and create the vibe however I want. I hate walking into a completely empty room at the beginning of the night, with the DJ playing songs at 128 bpm.

I also believe that regardless of the place and time you play, you always have to leave your mark on music, even if you change genres, it's also good to hear people's reactions to the types of songs you play. It's good to have the ability to follow and feel the track.

About Dj's - Could you highlight any memorable moment or achievement in your career that had a significant impact on your artistic growth?

I must admit that the early days of my career had a big impact. I remember when I had to open the night at EDC London (London electronic music festival) on the main stage. Although I was doing the warm-up before the big mainstream names, after two hours there were already around 20,000 people, this was a festival of 80,000). I remember well two things I felt that day: My hands were shaking on the decks, as it was the second time I had played since finishing the DJ course at Subbass (the UK's DJing choice); And the other thing is related to nervousness; I remember a girl grabbed the mic and shouted “Hands up for CK” as I finished my set.

Yes, I must say that, at that time, I was a bit judgmental about people who listened to commercial music and it was at that moment that I realized that any genre is a treasure for those who are connected and like that particular style. It was a unique moment from a decade ago, unfortunately I don't have any photos or videos taken, like nowadays, but I have the set recorded.

About Dj's - What advice would you give to aspiring DJs and producers who are looking to establish themselves in the music industry?

Stay true to who you are, believe in what you love and keep doing it as long as you love it and it comes from the heart. Sometimes you may have the chance to take shorter paths or take on different challenges, but it's always important to have the ability to keep up.

Never stop learning and always keep researching, be open to new ideas and new approaches when it comes to DJing and especially music production. You never know when the big break will come, all I can say is that it's mostly chance; So, what I'm trying to say is that anyone has the chance to enter this dance music scene, and it's good to be well prepared when/if that happens. One more tip: inspiration will always come, but it has to find you in a work process.

About Dj's - What are your views on the electronic music scene in the UK and how has it influenced your music?

At the time I started listening exclusively to electronic music, more than 2 decades ago in the Romanian clubs I mentioned above, we also had some radio programs that I listened to during the week. It was the moment I heard about “London, the capital of House Music clubs”. And yes, in 2004 when I moved to London, I used to believe that most clubs were based around electronic music.

It's true that there are and have been many electronic music clubs out there, some iconic ones like Fabric, Ministry Of Sound and Egg London...

In 2005 I set foot at Ministry Of Sound for the first time, and I went to DJ there in 2013. I've also been going to Fabric since 2007, I haven't managed to play there yet, but it could happen soon. I've been going to Egg since 2008, I loved the afternoons there. Furthermore, last month I also played at the club.

Over the past twenty years, the UK has lost a third of its independent music venues, including iconic venues such as Turnmills and The End. For me, the biggest influence of all has been Fabric London, especially Room One which has honed my musical taste and defined the musical taste and genres I like; as we say around here: as long as there is Fabric, there is hope!

This year I started playing with Modulate: a group of DJs and a party brand that plays regularly, and we've already played at Egg and Ministry a few times this year; they play mainly house and yes, I can say that I took myself a little out of my 'comfort area' and started approaching music that is outside of Deep Techno, more frequently.

About Dj's - Do you want to play in Brazil?

Yes, that sounds great; If I get the chance, it would be awesome!