Hipodrome Podcast 002 – Alexandru Jijian

Hipodrome Podcast series continues with Alexandru Jijian, an up-and-coming dj from Bucharest, Romania. With this podcast, he had shown his experimental side. For me this mix is like a very very hot summer day, like the ones we are having right now … The mix has around 90 minutes and it’s starting very deep, then as the heat is getting higher and higher, the mix is going into some ambient stuff. By the time when we passed half of the mix, the heat seems to disappear slightly as the night is coming. The mix takes a sudden turn and goes to straight up techno.
Enjoy it.

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You prepared a special mix for hipodrome. How would you describe it?

It’s on the line between experimental / drone music and techno, which are quite close. It also has a dubby summery feel. It’s part of what I like to play at bigger parties.

You are a relatively new dj on Bucharest’s scene. When did you start playing music and what made you do it?

Actually it’s only recently that people have started noticing me, but I’ve been around for little bit more than a couple of years. The first real club I ever played in was the WEB club (~2005/2006) (I have flyers to prove it hahahaha). I started it because I wanted to be under the spotlight, to be rich and have loads of girls. Since none of that happened and I’m still loving it I think it’s got to be the love for music and partying . I can’t explain otherwise the (y)ears that have passed without any real glam compensation (which in the mean time I’ve started to avoid – I could have made compromises and go pop corn / viva la vida loca but I chose music instead of money).

Please describe your music style and what we should expect from you when you are playing.

I like to play techno music and everything that orbits around it. The style itself is defined by who I am and how I fell. I can’t really explain how I am. I guess that if I say I’m a normal guy that doesn’t seem pretty interesting, right hahahahah?
Please expect of me to play techno music, deeper vibes and clicky high hats.

How did you and your music style evolved since you had started?

I was into IDM and old electronica / drone / ambiental stuff and the club music that I first listened to was the progressive and house music that was so hype in those days. Then I fell in love with breakbeat after listening to Marika one night at the web. I think I’ve fallen in love with everybody’s way of playing music at least once. So I’ve been through loads of changes because I’m really open to hearing new sounds. I used to play French synthy techno with Boru which I still like a lot. But what hasn’t changed is the gradually developing sense for repetitive dull music and that’s why I think I’m into techno so much.

Do you have some favorite djs/producers and how did they affect your perception of the music?

The most important thing in my club life is the club in which I practically grew up. It’s called Zebra and it’s in Bacau. I was lucky because the owners are open minded and they got everybody that had anything to say to play there. Rock, house, techno, hip hop, Ibiza summer parties in the middle of winter with an old Trabant filled with water, you name it. Zebra Club, Bacau!

What do you think about the global electronic music scene and where do you think this is going?

I’m quite curious myself about where it’s going. I haven’t been traveling that much in the last couple of years and the internet doesn’t always give you a full perspective of what’s really going on. There’s tones of good music still being made, though. I guess that’s good, right? The scene is going into the past future!

What about the local scene, Romania in general and Bucharest in particular?

People like to complain a lot about how shitty the Romanian scene is, but when I was in Bacau I was glad when even the most commercially successful DJs came to play. I was glad that I got to taste a little bit of what was going on in the capital. Now that I’m living here I’m glad to be contributing to the clubnight scene as best as I can. The scenes are good, people are friendly and the djs are getting better and better. There’s a certain problem regarding lack of style and copycat entertainers, but that will disappear at some point when we’ll invest more in culture, art and mass testosterone hahahahhaha.

In these times a lot of people are producing music. Music is a powerful promotion tool. What are your plans regarding production?

I know it is. It’s just that I didn’t want to be another ableton 4/4 junkie. It’s going to take some time until I’ll do it right and feel pleased about my work.

What do you listen besides electronic music?

I love classical music and indie rock music. My favorite Romanian band right now is The Amsterdams!

What do you do in your free time? Do you have some unusual hobbies?

I don’t have a lot of free time. I like to read historical fiction whenever I have the time. And I also like porn. Not any unusual hobbies, sorry hahahahaha

Do you watch football? Who is your favorite for the Word Cup?

I don’t usually watch football but now with the World Cup and all I’ve watched a couple of games. Deutschland, for sure!

Tracklist in comments!

Alexandru’s blog / facebook