 Croatia's techno scene has much to thank Dj OGI for. First started jumping into the Croatian techno scene in 1995, OGI has had the privilege to play at some of the greatest techno events the world has seen. Events such as Berlin's famous 'Love Parade', 'Citadela' and 'I Love Techno'. We were lucky to have the chance to speak with this techno giant from Croatia, Dj OGI.
Nightgen:: So Dj OGI, why don''t you introduce yourself to us. Who are you? where are you from? and why are you here?
Dj OGI:: I am DJ Ogi dj and producer from Croatia. I am here because I was always inspirited with dance music. How to develop on giving people energy on the floor, then after a while I said why don’t I try to express myself through a Dj act and give to people my music. So then I started to Dj.
Nightgen:: When did you start getting inspired by techno music? Who were the culprits?
Dj OGI:: I first got in touch with electonic music in the late 80''s. First I was collector of Hard Core and Hard Techno, which was in that period called progressive techno. In quite a short time I discovered detroit techno music and can say that the detroit techno producers were the culprits for why I start with techno.
Nightgen:: So explain your style to us then. You say you listened to Hardcore, Hardtechno and Detroit Techno, how was your describe your style, what style has influenced you the most do you think?
Dj OGI:: My style is hard techno with a combination of dark and driving techno. The music in my dj sets really depends on when I play in the line up. If I am playing at the start of a party I will be slower then usual; but in midle of a party I will be harder. I think that my style became like a fusion of Detroit techno and ex-progressive techno, which today is modern hard techno music. Detroit gives to techno music an inteligent touch and progresive hard and energy beat.
Nightgen:: Interesting stuff. So what sort of artists would we be likely to hear in your sets, both hard and softer styles?
Dj OGI:: If I play hard techno then I play tracks produced by Tadox, Anxious, Lars Klein, Gunjack, Chris Liebing, Eric Sneo, Alen Sforzina and the more harder things produced by Thomas Gee, Leo Laker and Greg Notill.
Nightgen:: You have had the honour to play at some of the biggest events in the techno scene, have you been able to play along side of any of your favourite artists? And if so, what can you say about your fellow hard techno artists?
Dj OGI:: Yes I play along of some of my favorite artists. First I would like to say that one of my favorite world djs is Ben Sims who isnt so hard dj like me. He is really good on both the technical and musical sides. For hard techno djs I can say that my favorites are Mark EG who have really unique dj style and also cool performance on the stage. I like when a dj is together with the crowd giving them music and energy. Thats what I call a dj! That is Mark. My favorite dj list is Ben Sims, Mark EG, Preach and Crazy X Ray.
Nightgen:: You also produce music, when did you first get into that? How long after you started Dj-ing, or did they come hand in hand?
Dj OGI:: I start to make music 4 years ago, so 9 years after i first started djing. The start was hard but over time my producing progressed, becoming better and better. Today I can say that I am pleased with my work and with my releases.
Nightgen:: What equipment do you use for djing and producing? If we may ask.
Dj OGI:: For producing I work only on p.c. Working with programs like Sound Forge, Acid and Logic Audio. Sometimes I use Frutiy Loops to create loops. For djing I use 3 turntable and good mixer.
Nightgen:: Have you ever come across new technologies in your setups? Like final scratch, CDJ''s or traktor? Or have you preferred to stick to the traditional 12"?
Dj OGI:: I am not fond of new technologies like Final Scratch, CDJ''s or Traktor. All this things kill the production of vinyl. I hope that I will not live in time when vinyl will be only museum article.
Nightgen:: Then tell us why the use of vinyl is so important to you? Is it just the control, or the culture behind it?
Dj OGI:: Vinyl has soul. I can''t imagine playing without taking vinyls out from my bag, touching them when I mxing and I can''t imagine not buying records in the shop. That feeling is to important to me. Also I dont like when I mixing to look like surfing on net!
Nightgen:: Have you ever done any liveacts with your productions? Or if not do you plan to in the near future?
Dj OGI:: No I never have. First I must buy equipment to do a quality live act. Sure, for that I have plans because this is one new experiance in our world.
Nightgen:: So lets talk about the Croatian techno scene. What is it like? Big? Sponsors? Djs? Clubs? Tell us all about it!
Dj OGI:: At the beginning of the scene we had a few nice club parties and raves. In this 15 years, the scene kept going up and down. I must say that it was the best in 2000. We had big summer open air parities and a quality club scene at winter. Now the scene is really small with 5-10 parties on the weekend. Some clubs work only 1-2 parties in a month. Some clubs are working throughout the month but with a lot of financial problems. That the bad thing in the scene. Good things are that we have really good party people who give us positive energy to keep the scene alive! Croatia haa really good djs but only a couple are well know in the world scene. Things within Croatia is coming, especialy in the summer time, which is one of most popular tourist destinations in the world, which can also make that Croatia become one of popluar destination of ravers.
Nightgen:: Do you think the Croatian nightlife is safe? Also where in the world would you refuse to play, and if so why?
Dj OGI:: Yes Croatian nighlife is safe. We had a really bad time in the past, but its safe now. I would like to play in Brasil because I heard that the Brasilian crowd is crazy and full of energy. The way it is going, i think it will be very soon until i play there :)
Nightgen:: So OGI, you have a wife and a baby girl, correct? Firstly how does your wife find the music you produce/listen to? and seconly, how does raising a child affect your Dj/production scheduele?
Dj OGI:: Yes, I have a wife and one nice raver baby girl, who will become a djane hehe, I hope. My wife gives me full suport for the job that I am doing. If did not get such support my life will not be so cool like it is.
Nightgen:: Are there any plans for yourself in the future, in regards to producing, travel or any business plans that you would like to tell us all?
Dj OGI:: My plans are to continue with cool releases on our Beast label, also I will try to work on my first live act and of course continue to make music.
Nightgen:: So OGI, thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy scheduele to speak with us. If there is any last points of attention you would like to say please go for it!
Dj OGI:: Thanks to you! Keep techno alive! |
