Romania Brought Us Here

December 24, 2020

Berlin's Balthazar Martinez takes us on a intense journey through techno to disco, manipulating the energy like a true puppet master. It's hard to believe it's a 100% vinyl mix as he creatively transitions across mood and genre with ease.

"we should not limit ourselves to one musical genre, or one specific type of music/tempo, you can find things that will make you have goosebumps in every genre of music possible"

Interview

You’re originally from France, having grown up in Lille, and now settled in Berlin. How have these places influenced your taste in music and your growth as a DJ?

Was playing different things when I was in France, more groovy stuff, Funk, Disco, Jazz, Soul, Breaks, Hip/Hop, a vibe that I still have and love, and Berlin gave me, of course, influences that I would never have reached if I stayed in France. Berlin is a city where everything is connected, possible, where music and art are omnipresent, where weekends/parties are endless in incredible places like Berghain, Heidegluhen, Sisyphos, Trésor and so many other incredible clubs, bars, festivals, concerts.. moving here was definitely one of the best decisions of my entire life, I never felt more home than here.


Favourite BPM and Why?

All of them, because we should not limit ourselves to one musical genre, or one specific type of music/tempo, you can find things that will make you have goosebumps in every genre of music possible, i love to travel from techno, to some new wave, some punk rock mixed with electro, then go back to groovy stuff, melodic to jump again on hard and raw techno.

Has lockdown changed the type of music you’ve been listening to/ collecting?

I would say friends, got this lovely Australian fucker named Angus [AWHM] that I met because of you all guys, and for example, his style and mixing inspire me and give of course influences and a lot of new ideas.


You’ve named your mix ‘Romania Brought Us Here’, which is beautiful because that’s where we met, at Sunwaves in Romania. Can you tell us your favourite moment from this festival and what is it that makes friendships formed on the dance floor so very special?

First of all, it's a place where obviously people of all the world gather for something very special happening, Sunwaves is a must for all minimal lovers, and Romanians their wizards... My fav moment in this festival was maybe this set of Vincent Iulian, followed by an astonishing live of Haokah on early morning, sun rising, time stopped, and a bubble of extreme happiness just formed and stayed there for few hours.

What I love with you guys, is the fact that after this festival we met in Paris, partied in Stockholm, you came to Berlin, took you to fucking Berghain, Trésor, Heide, just before all this crazy pandemic shit, it was our last moments of true Berlin, and I spent them with you. And I was supposed to be with you right now in Australia, it was the initial plan, Covid fucked my plans, but it's only a small delay, we will meet again very soon my friends.


You also produce music, can you tell us about your process and the sort of sounds you gravitate towards?

I like slow melodic, vocal techno, taking samples, reworking them, love to take also vocals, add a -800% down pitch on it, and then structure it with rhythmics, but I'm a very beginner regarding musical production.


Do you have any projects in the works?

Just collecting records, and hope very strongly that all this covid19 shit will be over this spring/summer, to play again randomly and share good vibes with as much people that i can.

What are you looking forward to most when lockdown restrictions are eased?

Clubs/Bars, meeting lovely strangers, share with others and of course visiting my lovely Australian friends as soon as I can in Sydney.

TRACKLIST

01. Moby - Next is the E (Thousand Mix)

02. Boy George - Love is the answer (The Black Teeth Dub)

03. Calloway - Party 'n Bullshit (Dirty Mix)

04. Viers - Beat Control

05. Marco Faraone - In Da Club

06. Rove Ranger - In My MindOnscreenactor - Tachi

07. The Imbeciles - Decider (Fort Romeau Remix)

08. The Imbeciles - One Hand Tommy (DJ Tennis & Danny Daze Remix)

09. Autarkic - Solid States

10. Komponente / Kuriloa - For a Brave

11. OPhase/Rodhad - 20301.1

12. Hammer - Strong Enough

13. ??? - Rodjs Eric Dunks Duncan Mix

14. Micronaut - Early Late

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