Coming from a small town in Romania, Andrei has a music style based on pure talent, inspired from a broad variety of genres within the House Music Culture. He started playing in clubs from an early age, having arrived to a level where he can sustain a party with ups and downs, small or large crowds, dedicated listeners or just for a good atmosphere. His style mixes Techno – Minimal – House – Deep House with Balearic, Eclectic and even Tribal Influences.
Tzinah Records: To start with, please, recommend us something to listen to while we go through this interview. It can be anything.
Scopter: tini – triptease
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piTes_J6BR4
Tzinah Records: Could you remember when and where have you felt it for the first time that you were to become a music artist?
Scopter: First time I started producing music on a computer, back in 2007. That’s when I started investing in equipment. I got my first external soundcard and a mixing console. That’s also the time I started learning how to mix on CDJ’s by gaining access to clubs.
Tzinah Records: Why did you choose to create and play this particular type of music? Are there any artists that touched you deeply while developing your own style?
Scopter: This was big in europe then aswell as now to a certain extent. It’s all one big genre and only some influences change. Ibiza was a big influence. Artists that touched me deeply are Trentemoller, Moodymann, Loco Dice, John Digweed, Sasha, Steve Lawler, Ricardo Villalobos, RPR Soundsystem, ZIP, tINI, the Circoloco Crew.
Tzinah Records: Please, briefly, describe for us, the current state of the underground music scene in the place you come from. Is it any good?
Scopter: It’s as good as it has ever been, I am playing constantly and I have got a residency at the best underground music venue in town, Avi. A lot of creativity going on, a healthy environment and possibility to grow as an artist. I am proud to be coming out of Targu Mures. It’s a tough business, a lot of venues get closed months after opening and this can complicate things.
Tzinah Records: Without giving out too much about your secret weapons, please tell us how does the magic work in your production routine. Software? Analog? What does your DJ set-up imply?
Scopter: Samples are a key factor, as I use Ableton for my productions and I don’t have much time in the studio so I try to bring the best out of my head and into practice in one-run studio sessions. This has always worked for me because I always get fresh samples from my friends Dual Shaman. So basically depending on what I feel like doing I set up the BPM, start a 4/4 kickdrum and see where it goes from there. I try to make every track special I don’t care wether it’s through spontaneity, dinamicity or groove as long as it sends the right amount of energy for the dancefloor. I have succeeded in making good tracks from trance to progressive, house, deep house and dub techno and I can always come up with new ideas as long as I am in the right state of mind. I think it is very important for an artist to have a good platform where he can put ideas into practice. At the moment I use a laptop with an external soundcard, a couple of Pioneer simple room wooden speakers and Sennheiser HD25 headphones with a Onkyo amplifier. This way the sound is not too boosted (like for the Rokit for example) so I can use my energy more productively after I come home from work. I also have the APC20 for maneuvrability. It’s always nice to use a keyboard for bass and synth, which I try to borrow from some of my friends.
Tzinah Records: What are the aspects of your daily life that are influencing the shape and sound of the music that you currently make?
Scopter: The mix between the stiffness of life aswell as the mobility, as far as I am concerned I moved from Tg Mures to Sibiu to get a full time job and I travel a lot more now. I go to home maybe once a month but also visit Cluj or Bucharest regularly as the nightlife has more to offer.
Tzinah Records: Which underground house DJ or producer would you love to take out for a summer picnic? With which artist (from any music genre) would you spend 24 hours stuck in an elevator?
Scopter: I would take Ellen Alien for a summer picnic as I fell asleep in the tent before her set at Electric Castle last summer. To be stuck in an elevator with for 24 hours I would say maybe Fatboy Slim for moral support.
Tzinah Records: Have you already played in your most-dreamed about venue? Which one is that?
Scopter: Not even close, my favorite venue would be either Zoo Project Ibiza or DC10. Never say never though.
Tzinah Records: What motivates you to be an active part of the underground movement?
Scopter: The people, the connection and last but not least the experience. There is a lot of excitement going about the romanian scene. I always try to get inspiration from abroad, I have deep apreciacion for labels and booking agencies who deliver quality stuff constantly.
Tzinah Records: What’s your favorite type of breakfast?
Scopter: Croissants, orange or apple fresh and blueberry pie.
Tzinah Records: What do you do when the music is not playing?
Scopter: I catch up with the world.
Tzinah Records: What’s the story behind your Tzinah Family Podcast? How did you record it and are there released or unreleased tracks?
Scopter: I recorded it in a quiet afternoon at Sibiu after finishing my office work and resting for a couple hours.
There are some of my favorite tracks from 2015 from artists like Brame & Hamo, Butane, D’Julz aswell as some of my favorite tracks on Tzinah Music among which is Vlaykou released on Tzinah60 made in Niro’s (from Groovetique) studio last summer. The last track is also a collaboration of mine with Ion, a Vinyl Only Release on Trick Track Records from December 2015. The third track is unreleased, produced by myself and it might not sound perfect but the final mastering will be on the way soon. I also support underground artists like Claudia Amprimo, Aleksandar Grum or Grotesku which I think everybody should check out.
Tzinah Records: Are there any of your plans/upcoming projects that you would like to share with us? Where can we see you play next?
Scopter: The year has been good so far, I am planning to visit London at the end of march, attending MusicOn London, Art of Dark and WetYourSelf parties. Sure hope to see some friends there! I will be with Vlad Hategan, the manager of Trick Track Records and Niro from Groovetique who now lives in London. Also we will be holding the Club Avi Showcase in Bucharest next Tuesday (23 february) so if you are around the city centre don’t miss it! It will be at El Dictator Pub, I will be playing alongside Addo and Horea Piper. It will be an exciting night, really looking forward to that!
Tzinah Records: Supposing you come back reading this interview in 10 years from now; could you try saying something to your future-self?
Scopter: Don’t buy cheap gear, stop breaking stuff and keep drinking!