CK

Origin: None

During his youth he listened to mostly classic Hip-Hop (1997 – 2002), afterwards, began to frequent the Romanian Space Club, where he became acquainted with the sounds of progressive & techno. The major call for electronic music in terms of DJing and Production came at the age of 30, in early 2012, after 10 years of clubbing, exclusively in electronic music. He first attended an DJing course followed by a Production one, at Subbass DJ Academy in London.

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My relationship with the music: I think I have a “problem”-I cannot live without the music. I started collecting at the age of 10. I remember all these tapes (which I still have back home), followed by the CD era, etc.! The point is, I’m always hungry for the music and always want something new! There is one major thing that is valid for all the DJs and producers out there: You have to be a music lover! First of all you do it because it is in your heart; no matter where you’re going in this world and no matter what you happen to be going through, as a music lover you’ll always have your music collection with you (big or small, drivers, CDs or vinyl).

 

Interview

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Home Town: Extreme South Romania (Corabia/Olt)
Currently Living: London, UK
Origin Of Name: Yes, there is! CK came out from Costica Kristian, and CK is simply coincidence with other names; I’m using it even in my signature since I turned 14 (1996).
Weapon of Choice: As far as I remember, I have always wanted to be a DJ; been listening mostly to hip-hop from 1997 – 2002, but I have always listened to electronic music, even before ‘97 (I remember these “dream” CDs, from Germany). The year when electronic music got me all the way, was 2002 (Club Space Romania). So here’s the thing, been doing the clubbing thing for 10 years (2002 – 2012) and in terms of clubbing influences, I’ve got the most in Fabric London (which I first stepped in on 1st December 2007)

Now, when I’m on the decks I ask myself what people would want to listen right now, what shall I play? I’ve been down there, as a clubber, for a decade! If I’m on the dancefloor right now, what do I want to listen to?
Source of Power: The best name for me in terms of influences, and the way he drives the crowd, is Ricardo Villalobos! But I have two more guys from USA who are quite new to the scene—Randall M & Chad Andrew. These guys are doing it great and are inspiring me! You can guess my genre: mostly tech house, some deep house and techno!

Was there one particular moment in the recording or mixing process for your Discovery Project entry that made you feel like you were creating something pretty damn special?
The mix is a selection of some of my favorite tracks, some unreleased and one of the tracks is mine. It wasn’t easy to represent my style in just 30 minutes; and yes, I spent some time to record this mix, like most of the participants, I guess.

Are there any dots to connect with where/how you grew up to your musical output?
To be honest with you, I’m sorry now that my mom didn’t forced a piano or some musical lessons down my throat back in the day. I started to learn about DJing and production at the beginning of 2012 and officially in July 2012! I’ve read a lot about everything; I know the whole Pioneer product history and a bit about Allen & Heath as well! I first attended a full DJ course at Subbass DJ Academy London, followed by a full production one straight after that. Now I’m Apple certified—Logic Pro 9/Level one.

And speaking about piano: I went for a few piano lessons, and I’ll still go from time to time. It has its own importance and is helping me to understand scales better and the keys for the tracks I’m producing…you have to know what you’re doing! Properly!

What do your parents think of what you are doing?
One year ago, when I started the courses, they were surprised and now they’re encouraging me! There’s also family settlement and I’ll have a baby by the end of August! So I have to consider very carefully what I’m doing from now on—the fact is: I need to do this also for a living, so I need to push and try even harder, as it’s not only me and the music, I’ll have a family which I have to take care of!

What’s the strangest part of your job?
The best part about being a DJ is actually being a proper DJ and by that I mean to mix! Not to sync! It gives me pleasure every time I have two tracks in the mix or even three (sometimes I mix with three decks). I don’t think syncing is bad, it is good when you get creative, but when it comes just for mixing between A and B, then I think that syncing gets boring.

What’s the biggest misconception about being a DJ?
The biggest misconception, this is valid for production as well, that it looks really easy from the outside—like this guy is only pushing a button. It’s not like that, it takes months to learn and practice and is takes years to perfect! Driving a crowd crazy with the right selection of music is really a challenge task!

Tell me about your most memorable night out.
I have a few from over the years, but the best one is: Ricardo Villalobos at Fabric London on November 15th, 2008!

As an artist (we never forget the first time, right?) it was while I was taking the DJ course (20th July 2012), about six months in I made the line-up at Ministry of Sound (on March 1st, 2013). That where I had my first night as a DJ—at The Loft!

What was playing the Insomniac party like?
Memorable moment. I opened the main stage (Kinetic Field), which was my second gig ever after the MoS one in March, and basically woke up with over 20,000 people up-front at my second gig! That was on the July 20th, one year to date from my first DJ lesson at Subbass!

How does what you do for a living affect you on a day-to-day basis?
I’m trying to get to the level where I can afford to do this for a living. I need to do this properly, as I’m 31 now and I have a family to take care of from now on!

What is your ultimate career dream?
As everyone dream, I guess: Become a popular DJ/producer for my genre.

Are you impulsive with your work or do you have a sketch in mind before you start?
Yes I do! I’m pretty sure that preparation is essential!

How, if at all, does listening to music figure into your creative process?
I like the deep basslines. Listen to Ricardo Villalobos “Fadutron” for an example.

What’s the most important piece of gear in your studio?
Oh man! I have a full DJ setup (three decks, two turntables, one mixer) and a home studio setup, which includes two pairs of monitors, and one pair of beautiful vintage Yamaha NS-10M Studio! The legend is right: if sounds good in these, sounds good everywhere!

How important is it for you to experiment and take on the risk of failure?
I take risks, and always have; I like to surprise!

What sound or noise do you love?
I love the low ends! The bass! Bassline is everything! I think the subwoofer is a great invention!

What should everyone just shut the fuck up about?
Great debates about the music genres; everyone should listen what they like and regarding the DJ thing, every DJ should have their own way of going and play what they think represent them.

What gets you excited when you think about the future of electronic music and club culture?
I’m really curious if the standard CDJ jog wheel will disappear by 2020!

What are your weaknesses?
Emotions! If I’ll have one gig per night for the nest three months I guess this will fade away!

Do you have a secret passion?
Cannot say that it’s a “secret,” but sometimes I like to be alone in my home studio, and mix randomly.

How would you describe your sound to a deaf person?
I’d say it reflects a mood and it can have different colors, which you only see in your mind.

Is success physical or internal?
First of all internal—it gives you the motivation…more and more!

What do you remember about your first DJ gig?
I did it! I stopped the music. I was playing from two 2000s at MoS, and had a USB in each one, but been using just one of the USBs through the link. I unplugged the wrong USB, the music stopped and the guy that followed me in the line-up panicked a bit!

What’s the hardest professional lesson you’ve learned thus far?
Logic Pro 9! After a while of learning and practicing, the program got me! It makes life easier; music production’s so much easier than 20 years ago!

Do you have a favorite all-time mixed CD or series?
Back in autumn 2002 at one of my first nights at Club Space Romania, I’ve received a promo mix from a guy (from UK) called Justin Garrett. I still have that and still listen to it sometimes!

Last words?
First of all, I’d like to say a big thank you to Insomniac Events for giving me the opportunity to open Electric Daisy Carnival London! Hope I can come back next year.

I’m trying to get my first release out in September of this year. I’ve got five tracks ready and mastered so far, and I’m working on number six. All I want in terms of a career and profession is to be a DJ and to carry on with the good work!

Winning Mix:

 

 

Winning Track:

 

 

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