Born in the south of Romania in 1981,Mantulescu Ionut aka Mr.John started listening to electronic music when he was quite young.His excentric style and strong personality helped him a lot to exceed the limits of usually djs, mixing a lot of old funk grooves with drops of detroit techno.Due to his passion for house music he decided to start mixing 2000 being the year when he played in a small club.Later on in 2002 he became resident in Old Nick Pub, the local best club . The story doesn’t end here, after wards he started sharing his music and plays in places like:Studio Martin.Club Violette,Club Zoom,Silver,Traian 42,Barocco..
2008 became an important year for Mr.John as producer and in 2009 he signed with labels like:Quanticman Rec,Italo Business,Tapas Rec & Sonora Rec. Mr.John makes a big step and plays some sets at different radiostations some of them being :Justmusic.fm,Pure.fm,One fm,Ibiza Global Radio and Frisky Radio.
He is now hosting his own show on Radio Ph(Prahova) and can also be found at Old Nick Pub.
Mr.John on Facebook
Tzinah Records: To start with, please, recommend us something to listen to while we go through this interview. It can be anything.
Mr.John: Sure, its something that didn’t listen from a while now, i like very much Buddha Bar. When i want to “escape” from other genres, this is relaxing me and who knows, i can “steal” something from there.
Tzinah Records: Could you remember when and where have you felt it for the first time that you were to become a music artist?
Mr.John: Ahmmm, was at age of 13, when i had the first contact with clubs, but the big step was in 2000 when i started u play in a small club, at Black Sea.
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?
Mr.John: To create, this was few years ago, but playing, different genres, I started with Trance and then went through all of them :). There are many artists who I like and touched they touched me, but must of all Romanians:) .
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?
Mr.John: Hmmm, from my place?!!! nooo, can’t say that, is hard for people to accept new music, thats why here in my small town they listen more commercial music and is not good for me, hehe.
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?
Mr.John: Is not a secret, i think 60% -70% from producers use Ableton and hopefully in future I will change my “weapon”.
Tzinah Records: What are the aspects of your daily life that are influencing the shape and sound of the music that you currently make?
Mr.John: Daily aspects?!!i guess from others genres or movies, people, life in general.
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?
Mr.John: For summer picnic?!!! There are too many, i think my town is to small (hehe).Does not have elevators, to spend with an artist (joke), but if i was, i guess Tini. hehe
Tzinah Records: Have you already played in your most-dreamed about venue? Which one is that?
Mr.John: Noooo,i didnt play in a dreamed venue, i hope soon. Ibiza or/and Love Parade.
Tzinah Records: What motivates you to be an active part of the underground movement?
Mr.John: Music in general, can’t live without music.. you know!? ;)
Tzinah Records: What’s your favorite type of breakfast?
Mr.John: Don’t have any type of breakfast, but much more, i like eggs, cheese, tomato’s… omelette.
Tzinah Records: What do you do when the music is not playing?
Mr.John: Movies,movies and movies..this is my relaxing time for me!
Tzinah Records: What’s the story behind your Tzinah Podcast? How did you record it and are there released or unreleased tracks?
Mr.John: I think every dj/producer have to have a story behind at a podcast or set, now depends the mood which everyone have when they record. Yes they are some released and unreleased tracks, and at home i use Traktor for mixing, don’t have any possibilities.
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?
Mr.John: Soon there will be an ep at a Romanian label, with remixers from Hansel! and Silat Beksi, i work for an ep at Tzinah too… and then will see whats coming. Nothing in near future, have to play somewhere for the moment.
Tzinah Records: Supposing you come back reading this interview in 10 years from now;could you try saying something to your future-self?
Mr.John: To be healthy, this is more important and maybe a bigger name in music scene, hehe.