Last year was pretty amazing with quite some interviews and guest mixes. This year, 2017 did not miss his start. Already our third interview and guest mix. Keeping our pace high and delivering some good quality house music.
Pillman brings some good vibes
Living in Romania and already dropped some fine mixes for Ibiza Global Radio, it is time for Tanzgemeinschaft. Pillman made us a fine groovy mix with a deep ethnic, oriental and tribal sound. One hour of happiness.
With this guest mix comes a short interview in which we chat a bit about his personal life, his look on music and what’s next. Good thing about Pillman, he is a romantic! Ladies, all the ladies.
The mix can be found in the interview. Enjoy.
Hey John, thank you for your time and a Happy New Year.
Hi, guys! Happy New Year to you too and a lot of success!
Where are you based now? What do you find inspirational about where you’re living?
For the moment I’m based in Bucharest, Romania. I was born in Alexandria city, not far from where I am now.
How did you spend the last days of 2016?
The last day of 2016 was truly full of emotions and happiness because I spent it with my girlfriend and our parents. It was the first time our parents met. Exciting time but we had a perfect time together.
2017 started with a bang for Pillman?
Not really. I started with a big headache and muscle pain. I’m ok now, ready to take on the world!
You made us a guest mix. Thank you for that. Maybe a few words about that one? Tell us something about the tracks you used in the mix.
Yes, indeed. When it comes to music, I’m a versatile guy. I’ve been playing all kinds of genres…from dance, deep house, house, tech house with tribal and progressive elements. The mix I made for you has a deep ethnic, oriental and tribal sound. Pillman’s signature sound!
What were your most memorable moments of 2016?
Hmm, let’s think. First of all, let’s say that music is on my 2nd place. I had some guest mixes on Club Vibez Radio (U.K), Ibiza Global Radio (Deep Vibes Radioshow), MixOne FM from Argentina and few private gigs. Second … right now, my ears, eyes and heart are for my nbr 1, my girlfriend.
TGMS: You are such a romancer! Scoring points!
Any new things in the works for 2017?
Yep, the first new thing is this interview and my guest mix for you guys. I’m thinking about new projects to start with my old friend Green Noise. We collaborated some time ago. Guess it was between 2009-2013. I’ll keep you guys posted for sure!
Tell us the story of how you were introduced to electronic music. Was there a specific moment you realized that you wanted to be a DJ?
I remember it was in 2008 when I started with some promotional mixes. I was listening to a lot of music genres trying to find the right one. And there it was, tech house. I played my music on radio guest mixes around Europe and in clubs in Romania. I started producing in 2009 with Green Noise, making remixes for big Romanian artists and foreign ones. Also made some cool deep house, house, tribal, tech house and techno tracks. JASC is the guy responsible for my love for producing music. I realized that when I first heard his remix for Arcus by Amethystium.
In 2011 I started a radio show called Twisted Elements alongside Green Noise at Vibe FM Romania, nbr1 electronic music station. In 2012 we made it to Liberty Parade by the Black Sea and it was magical! In 2014 we ended our collaboration with Vibe FM and started “working” more on our personal life.
How hard is it for an emerging DJ nowadays to breakthrough?
It’s hard. You see, if you want to be a DJ, you need to listen to a lot of music genres. Your culture in music needs to be BIG! You need to go to festivals, listen your favorite DJ’ss, maybe steal some ideas, practise a lot, …
Nowadays, everyone can be a DJ. A bedroom DJ. The world is full of them! You really need to be talented, need to pull some strings here and there, love music and in the first place not do it for the money.
In your view, what are the biggest challenges you are facing?
Only one: LIFE! Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
Let’s talk a bit about you as a DJ. What was your most favorite track of 2016?
When it comes to music, I’m a complicated human being. I do not have a favorite track. I have favorite TRACKS! So … there are some of them:
Jonas Saalbach – Ancient Lake (Sebastien Leger Remix) feat. Paul Klatt
YokoO & Retza – Equuleus
Kidnap Kid – Brokenhearted
Mike Mendo – Carnaval
DJ Dan, Mike Balance – Walking
Kotu & Rudy – Mangata
Pablo Bolivar & In2Deep – Gaia
Adrian Hour – Like This
Green Velvet – Flash (Latmun Remix)
Estray & Stanisha – Qalb
What makes you decide to play a particular track during one of your sets? Is there a criteria other than pure subjectivity, for selecting what to play at a gig?
I play by the musical scales, rhythmic and I combine genres. And yeah, depends on how and what I feel at a specific moment that moment. Also reading the audience.
Where do you draw your creative influences from?
I have some Romanian DJ’s/producers who I appreciate and from whom I learned a lot of useful things, like JASC, Manuel Riva and John Puzzle.
Is there something that or someone who inspires you the most?
My girlfriend.
DJs that just press play on their laptop may have given technology a bad name, but without technology, there’d be no DJing in the first place. What’s your perspective on the relationship and the balance between technological advances, music and the art of DJing? How have particular technologies changed your style of DJing?
In my point of view, if u have the talent, doesn’t matter on what you play, digital or analog.
A strong set can truly be more than the sum of its parts. How, do you feel, is the music transformed in the hands of a DJ? In which way are you actively trying to create an experience that is more than just stringing together a few excellent records?
My perfect DJ set needs to start with a slow vocal track while the rhythm/bpm emerges. As I said, I’m versatile when it comes to music. Before a gig, I need to focus a 100%, I need to be very relaxed, knowing every single second of the tracks I will play. Tracks need to be complex with different influences, in that way I can work the crowd feet and pleasure them ears as I want.
What makes you happy?
My girlfriend, my family, my dogs and the music.
We wish you all the best for 2017. Thank you for the interview.
Thanks, guys! It’s an honour to be part of TGMS team. Hope you’ll enjoy my guest mix!
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