Biography: A.L.C.A.’s debut as dj was in Cluj Napoca the heart of Transylvania (Romania) where was involved in projects regarding the promotion of electronic music since 1997, playing vinyl records on stages in different events in Romania carrying his 1200Mk2’s and the record case everywhere. Events like Dj’s Gathering, Transylvania Summit, Delahoya Festival was definitely the start of electronic music in Romania with famous international dj’s like Pacou (Tresor Berlin), Pauli Steinbach (Cocoon), D. Diggler (Hanau), Alex Bau (Germany), Valentino Kanzyani (Slovenia), Marco Lenzi (Italy).
In 2007 A.L.C.A. founded Fly High Recordings, a Romanian and international independent electronic music label currently with the center point in London where is currently working full time doing the post production, mixing and mastering. Since 2007 under the name “Fly High Events” and recently Fly High Showcase the label was showcasing the most demanded romanian artists like Livio & Roby, Pagal, Raoul Russu, Praslea, Vania, The Model, Adrian Eftimie, Sebo, Vania, Thornado, Haute Culture, Liquid, Carlos & Jasc, Colin, Markus Homm, Marco Brigulia, Internulo.
In present is running the label Showcase weekly since start of 2015 (Fly High Showcase) in the heart of London @ Trafik witch reached over 50 Episodes and also collaborations regarding music production with artists like The Real Experience, Martin Bundsen, Roman, Robson, Kirill Kirik, Horace Dan D., Delph Meer, Radu Cristian, Makanan.
Along the years his productions appears in many artists playlists and chars like Carlo Lio, Marcel Woods, Tim Wolff, Henrik B, Marco Carola, Paride Saraceni, releasing his music on labels like Fly High Recordings, Doppelgänger, Cutz, Tzinah Records, Magnetic Grooves, Dirty Stuff Records, Skills Records, Complex Textures, Wasabi Recordings, Sea Of Sand, Async Records etc.
In 2014 he moved in London where polished his skills with a Degree in London Music Production and Sound Engineering, Sound Design and Mastering on Point Blank Music School.
He played on Romanian and international events like Street Parade Zurich, Delahoya, Dj’s Gathering, Romanian Electronic Music Festival and many Fly High Events, touring countries like Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Belgium.
A.L.C.A.’s music style is around Techno, Minimal Techno, Deep House.
“I love play on different setups like turntables, spinning vinyl records, but also digital media like Ableton Live, Traktor using timecode vinyl.”
A.L.C.A. on Facebook
Tzinah Records: To start with, please, recommend us something to listen to while we go through this interview. It can be anything.
A.L.C.A.: I Love this record… httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcS4SMDfcOM
Tzinah Records: Could you remember when and where have you felt it for the first time that you were to become a music artist?
A.L.C.A.: Now or then was my love for music…from first cassettes from my dad, playing drums, building with one of my friend a basic summing mixer from a book. We wanted to record on to a reel to reel player my friends who where studying music at Art School in my home city. I was on the same school but studying Visual Arts but surrounded by my musician fiends all the time. A bit later i got my first computer and my first sound card after a trip in UK in ’97. A new world was opened for me. I started to use build in waveform editor to record, chop bits of sounds, and soon discovering other new amazing softwares. This was in 1997 until 1999 when i become student in Cluj where i did my first tracks performing on local events with my desktop computer :) “like a dj”. I wanted to become a real one and soon after i bought my first Technics turntables and the recent released DJM 600 mixer and my first 20 records. l started for real. Since that special day for me i was carrying my “toys” and playing my records everywhere i could. My official debut as a electronic music dj was soon after i meet a friend Horace Dan D who gave me the opportunity to play in a real electronic music festival. That one was “Delahoya”. Since that moment i started to feel an electronic music artist and i work every day to become a better one.
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?
A.L.C.A.: From the record shop where i bought my first turntables i discovered techno music choosing by my ear music signed by Adam Beyer, Ben Sims, Jeff Mills and others who gave me the direction.
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?
A.L.C.A.: Underground music started to fade away in some places but is always about the artists who play the music. What they choose to buy and play.
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?
A.L.C.A.: I use right now an hybrid system in my studio. Analog for post processing and software like Logic or Ableton for record and arranging my music. As dj i use all the time turntables with NI Traktor timecode vinyls and software. I love spinning but i use sometimes Ableton or 2000 Players.
Tzinah Records: What are the aspects of your daily life that are influencing the shape and sound of the music that you currently make?
A.L.C.A.: Pretty much is influenced by the music i listen and inspires me. I like the Morning sunshine but also the quiet nights when i’m doing a lot of my stuff. I like to experiment with music and i go where is taking me. I try to stay around techno but lately i slide more end more into deep stuff.
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?
A.L.C.A.: I will take Marc Antona for a picnic to play some music for me :) and in elevator any music producer who can teach me 24 hours things that i don’t know….If this happens… i hope to be a girl.
Tzinah Records: Have you already played in your most-dreamed about venue? Which one is that?
A.L.C.A.: I like small private venues surrounded by friends. In opposite side i like festivals. Unconventional ones if is possible.
Tzinah Records: What motivates you to be an active part of the underground movement?
A.L.C.A.: I’m coming from underground scene and is where i’m comfortable to be. I see more freedom of expression. My motivation is to express myself trough music, spreading good music and good vibe.
Tzinah Records: What’s your favorite type of breakfast?
A.L.C.A.: Bred and butter, eggs, coffee, and sunshine.
Tzinah Records: What do you do when the music is not playing?
A.L.C.A.: Im present. Nothing :) I pause music is when i read. Otherwise i listen music even when i’m working if is possible.
Tzinah Records: What’s the story behind your Tzinah Family Podcast? How did you record it and are there released or unreleased tracks?
A.L.C.A.: I like the idea of doing time to time a mix set with my new tracks. In the podcast episode that i did for Tzinah are included 12 tracks which are about to be released. Two tracks are already released. One is released by Tzinah Records and another remix released by a new label that i support. A.L.C.A. & Robson – Bells Master (Original Mix) (Tzinah Records) respectively HedUbble – Jellyfish (A.L.C.A. Remix).
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?
A.L.C.A.: Definitely to play live sets and the most important ones…a sound design website that i’m about to finish and later this year i plan to move my studio back in Cluj, Romania where all started…there will be an electronic music school as well.
Tzinah Records: Supposing you come back reading this interview in 10 years from now; could you try saying something to your future-self?
A.L.C.A.: Send more music to be released and don’t wait until the hard drive fails. That happened two times…