Rod B. & Alvaro Garfunk bring you the Miami Underground Movement
F.SONIK The name of F.Sonik continuously pops up on the wish lists of electronic music aficionados in the region. Launching career with the Ghettotek live-act, later joining SDJF initiative and Flow Management, he already established himself as an unique deejay who is not afraid of such challenges as combining Slovenia's landmark techno heritage with some progressive spices. He already transferred some of this who-dares-wins spirit in his own productions, Something New (ft. Tomy DeClerque) being the most successful so far. This track, which immediately gained support of Umek and was already played on BBC Radio 1, predicts the series of fresh releases in 2008. So you better watch out for this guy! Aleš Furlan alias F.Sonik became involved in electronic dance culture on account of one very innocent occurrence in his youth. And it’s a sole fault of his brother that he ended taming the decks, mixers and effects night after night. “It all started when he brought home some studio mixer and Akai sampler,” remembers F.Sonik “Just a few days later I knew I wanted to produce electronic and become a deejay and I was hooked ever since. I started gathering information about the scene, artists, clubs, music and the whole electronic movement. Living on the Slovenian Riviera it was natural to be influenced by Ambasada Gavioli club as I started attending Valentino Kanzyani’s matinees and performances of leading electronic artists on the regular basis.” It was his friend Alessio who helped him with the first steps: "He was caught by this bug well before me, so he already learned to mix and could thought me a thing or two. I still remember how I use to hang out at his parents house everyday struggling to beat-match the records. And after I started performing he even lent me his records." Shortly after that they teamed up for the live performances. "We've named ourselves Ghettotek. Alessio was mixing the records and I was in charge of putting in some effects. This way I got to perform in most of the hip Slovenian clubs even before my solo career really took off."
Thriving on a strong and globally accomplished techno heritage Slovenian electronic scene is still heavily directed by techno. But being influenced by the Global Underground music philosophy F.Sonik dared to go where only a few artists in the region dared before him – he decided he will combine the techno heritage with melodic progressive sounds: "Even Umek was there somewhere, but as he was pure techno deejay back then and I was more into progressive stuff, it were the likes of Sasha, Deep Dish and Steve Lawler that have inspired me the most," admits the young artist.
F.Sonik successfully transferred his unique vision of dance music, built on techno and blended with some emotionally rich proggy landscapes, into his own tunes. As a producer he gained the most attention with the track titled Something New, which he produced in collaboration with his musical guru Tomy DeClerque. “We’ve connected really good in the studio, so it was a really good feeling when Umek supported our first track including it in his Essential Mix even before it was officially released. That really inspired us and we already work on a bunch of new tracks,” announces F.Sonik...F.SONIK
The name of F.Sonik continuously pops up on the wish lists of electronic music aficionados in the region. Launching career with the Ghettotek live-act, later joining SDJF initiative and Flow Management, he already established himself as an unique deejay who is not afraid of such challenges as combining Slovenia's landmark techno heritage with some progressive spices. He already transferred some of this who-dares-wins spirit in his own productions, Something New (ft. Tomy DeClerque) being the most successful so far. This track, which immediately gained support of Umek and was already played on BBC Radio 1, predicts the series of fresh releases in 2008. So you better watch out for this guy
Aleš Furlan alias F.Sonik became involved in electronic dance culture on account of one very innocent occurrence in his youth. And it’s a sole fault of his brother that he ended taming the decks, mixers and effects night after night. “It all started when he brought home some studio mixer and Akai sampler,” remembers F.Sonik “Just a few days later I knew I wanted to produce electronic and become a deejay and I was hooked ever since. I started gathering information about the scene, artists, clubs, music and the whole electronic movement. Living on the Slovenian Riviera it was natural to be influenced by Ambasada Gavioli club as I started attending Valentino Kanzyani’s matinees and performances of leading electronic artists on the regular basis.”
It was his friend Alessio who helped him with the first steps: "He was caught by this bug well before me, so he already learned to mix and could thought me a thing or two. I still remember how I use to hang out at his parents house everyday struggling to beat-match the records. And after I started performing he even lent me his records." Shortly after that they teamed up for the live performances. "We've named ourselves Ghettotek. Alessio was mixing the records and I was in charge of putting in some effects. This way I got to perform in most of the hip Slovenian clubs even before my solo career really took off."
Thriving on a strong and globally accomplished techno heritage Slovenian electronic scene is still heavily directed by techno. But being influenced by the Global Underground music philosophy F.Sonik dared to go where only a few artists in the region dared before him – he decided he will combine the techno heritage with melodic progressive sounds: "Even Umek was there somewhere, but as he was pure techno deejay back then and I was more into progressive stuff, it were the likes of Sasha, Deep Dish and Steve Lawler that have inspired me the most," admits the young artist.
F.Sonik successfully transferred his unique vision of dance music, built on techno and blended with some emotionally rich proggy landscapes, into his own tunes. As a producer he gained the most attention with the track titled Something New, which he produced in collaboration with his musical guru Tomy DeClerque. “We’ve connected really good in the studio, so it was a really good feeling when Umek supported our first track including it in his Essential Mix even before it was officially released. That really inspired us and we already work on a bunch of new tracks,” announces F.Sonik...
ANDREW TECHNIQUE - biography
Be Ray Ya Book Hey, Can't Play the Piano, Luna Park and Fresh are just some productions which recently invested Andrew Technique as one of the hottest young electronic artists in the region. And it's not a small deal if we take in account he's determined to challenge the infamous Slovenian techno heritage and take it to the whole new level. When he's not abusing the decks and comps on his own, Andrew, a protégé of Flow Management and dedicated member of SDJF initiative, performs as a member of Foreplay!, Parallel Fusion (live) and R&A projects. Well, he sure came a long way so far. Especially if we bear in mind he grew up on metal guitar reefs.
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"It’s true. I'm an art junkie,” admits Andrew. “When I was a kid people thought I’d become a successful painter, actor, singer or whatever. But it was the music that attracted me the most for as long as I can remember. In business I believe in professionalism and dedication, but when it comes to producing and performing music I indulge in being lead by my feelings. And I’m very emotional. I can get goose bumps or even a tear in my eye listening to some great piece of music. I’m not ashamed to admit that. I do listen to the comments given by my friends and people that I personally believe they are credible critics. I respect good-intended critic, but I got where I am today mostly because I decided so and worked hard to reach some of my personal goals,” summarizes his career Andrej Šarkanj aka Andrew Technique.
Although as a master of his own destiny he almost abandoned his dream not so far ago. “Let’s just say I came to the major life-crossroad and had to decide what I wanted to do with life: I could have ended my music career right there and then or choose to channel all my free-time and energy into production and promotion of my own vision of dance music. It never was, and still isn’t, all roses. But now, that I finally get the positive feedback from the right people I’m happy I decided not to quit," explains Andrew with a tiny sparkle of satisfaction in his eyes. He made some big steps in 2007: he produced bunch of great fresh sounding tunes, his records are now being regularly played by the top deejays such as Umek and Valentino Kanzyani, some of his tracks were already broadcasted on BBC Radio 1 … But, regarding the strong competition, Andrew is aware that just a few of good releases will not bring him much. So he doesn’t rest on early successes: "Dedication, sustain quality of releases and a bit of luck are key elements on which I build my future as an artist.”
It’s been more than a decade since he developed a passion for 4x4 beats. “I used to be into guitar music. I learned to play the piano, I joined the garage band as a teenager and I grew up on hard rock and metal,” smiles Andrew on not so distant memories. “During the high school period I came in touch with other genres, widened my musical spectrum and finally turned in totally different direction. I started listening to electronic stuff, learned how the music is selected, performed and produced and in a few years established myself as a tech-house deejay." Although some could label his sound more like unique mixture of minimal, electro and progressive elements. "We leave in a time of genre blending, so it’s hard to label one’s sound, anyway,” admits Andrew. "But those who follow my work do know I’ve always had a strong passion for organic African rhythms."
And how did he get his name? “Andrew was an obvious choice, just a translation of my civilian name. And I choose Technique since I was always very handy with stuff, I still work in a computer shop, MacGyver is a big hero of mine and the name also reflects what I do as an artist.” And the influences: "I listen to a lot of music and I got inspired by a lot of great artists along the way. I try to find something special in every piece of music and all musicians are mentors to me in a way. But the most important influence for me as an artist was and in a way still is our local super club Ambasada Gavioli. It was the place where I was introduced to electronic culture and where I experienced some great performances of leading global deejays.”
Andrew is also known as a “very friendly artist”. He's a member of SDJF initiative that is dedicated to constant development of the local electronic club scene and supporting young artists. And when he's not performing on his own, he abuses decks and comps as a member of Foreplay!, R&S and Parallel Fusion (live) projects: "There were also some others, but this things come and go and only the best stay. The basic idea behind collaborations is to get together with other artists, develop and share ideas or blend genres. And it's always more fun producing and performing music with other people than on your own."
As a producer he gets all the help he needs from his musical guru Tomy DeClerque. He established his name as part of Tomy or Zox combo on the house scene back in the 90's and is now successfully running his own studio that is second home to some of the hottest young producers in the region. Tomy and Andrew debuted on Kanzyani's Jesus Loved You label with the Obala EP in late 2007. Tomy also remixed Fresh which was included in Umek's Essential Mix and released on Circle Records: "Studio is my favorite place for spending free time. I go there most of the days and I try to channel my ideas, thoughts, wishes and feelings into the music." And since he's very passionate guy, there's a truckload of new records with Andrew's name on it planned for release in forthcoming months. "I'm already well established artist in the region, so now I'd like to spread my sound trough the rest of the Europe and elsewhere. There are many challenges I'd like to take, but the ultimate would be performing on another planet. I'm not kidding. I believe this is something I could achieve as an artist, so don't be surprised if you get a postcard from Mars or Venus someday."
Playlist:
1 Metrodive Drawing Hands - Original Mix Monique Speciale
2 Sabb Cadence - Original Mix Rawthentic Music
3 Pirupa New Choice - Original Mix Noir Music
4 iO, Sender Love Trip - Orgnal Mix Noir Music
5 Carlo Lio Chapter 2 - Original Mix Monique Musique
6 Jackspot Theres Any Problem - Original Mix Brise Records
7 Robytek, Ralf Armani Sierra Leone - Original Mix Starlight
8 M.in Its Just Because - Patrick Lindsey Remix Tretmuehle
9 Kruse & Nuernberg Diskothek - Original Mix Noir Music
10 Justin Late, Fra'n'kie° Gettin' Mad - Original Mix Neurotraxx Deluxe
11 Caie!, Lagora Le Cher Rayonnent - Digital Exclusive Material Series
12 F.Sonik, Andrew Technique Just Weee - Original Mix Starlight Unlimited
13 Los Suruba Roller Kick - ONNO Remix Suruba
14 Akin and Nomis Melodie - Mauro Alpha & Dalbe Remix Sabotage
15 Nima Gorji Obbatala - Jairo Catelo Remix Climatic Sound
16 Hector Couto 1993 - WestBoy Remix Nulogic Records
17 Amir Bibi Baba - Original Mix Bouq
18 Deepgroove and Jamie Anderson Voix - Extended Version Harthouse
19 Kyas, Luca M Two - Original Mix BDR Music
20 Los Suruba & Robert X Checolate - Onno Remix Suruba X
21 Luca M Poezii - Original Mix Cimelde
22 Nyra Lindan's Groove - Original Mix Be As One Imprint
23 Ron Costa Hadono - Original Mix Potobolo Records
24 Reboot Hermano - Original mix CDR
25 Rhadow No Excuse - Original Mix Greelpound
26 Sabb Percomaniac - Original Mix CDR
27 F.Sonik ZuLuMaL - Original mix NuLogic Records
28 Mihalis Safras San TropeLess - Oxia Less Melo Remix Material
29 Native Soul Feat. Trey Washington A New Day - Spencer Parker's A Gun for Hire Remix Fluential
Special Thanks to Marjan Lopuh
More Info:
http://www.flow-management.net/
30 River Ocean Love & Happiness (Yemaya Y Ochun) feat. India - Michel Cleis Floreo Remix Strictly Rhythm