Vakru has been involved with dance music since a young age when he first tried his hand as a DJ. This was when he understood that with music he could express what words couldn’t say – sharing
a part of your inner world through sound. Vakru approaches any performance, be it a supporting act, solo show or back-to-back, with equal focus and total commitment. This approach lets him feel equally comfortable in minimal and micro-house music.
In his early DJing days, Vakru played at well-known rave events and festivals of his native Latgale region: Summer House, Nāc un tusē, Wash My Brain and others. After moving to Riga, he was serving the beats at the Essential, Club Kino, Klubs 88 (ex-Jameson afterparty), One One clubs
and, most recently, the trendy Teritorija venue in the capital. He has shared the stage with Taran & Lomov, Andre Crash, Electricano, Deros, Ideology of Sound, Sam Divine and other famous DJs.
Vakru is always on the lookout for new vinyl additions to his sound collection.
Vakru on Facebook
Tzinah Records: To start with, please, recommend us something to listen to while we go through this interview. It can be anything.
Vakru: Sure, this sunrise hub live session is very nice – httpv://youtu.be/xj05RB6T7FM
Tzinah Records: Could you remember when and where have you felt it for the first time that you were to become a music artist?
Vakru: Of course, that was long time ago in school, we had a party and when a saw DJ I was very interested and I knew that I definitely want to play music for other people.
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?
Vakru: If to be honest I didn’t like minimal before I heard Romanian minimal, after listening to artists such as Direkt, LIZZ, Cosmjn, SEPP, Nu Zau I felt in love with this music genre.
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?
Vakru: I’m currently based in Riga, Latvia. Our population is less than 2 million in whole country. So underground scene is not that big, hut people definitely enjoys here minimal and techno. We have nice place which is called One One, most of the underground parties are happening there.
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?
Vakru: Sure, I have home studio which is definitely good motivation for me. I’m also early bird, usually producing music in the mornings. My current dj setups in studio is Xone92 mixer + pair of Denon Dj SC6000 Prime players. I really love those players and don’t regret switching from Pioneer DJ. In plans is to get back pair of Technics SL-1200 turntables at some point.
Tzinah Records: What are the aspects of your daily life that are influencing the shape and sound of the music that you currently make?
Vakru: Mostly it’s music I listen.
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?
Vakru: Currently I really enjoy music from LIZZ, so I guess in both cases it would be this artist
Tzinah Records: Have you already played in your most-dreamed about venue? Which one is that?
Vakru: No definitely not, in my dj career I never played outside of my home country. So if we talk about dreams let’s be ambitious Sunwaves. Current goal is to play somewhere outside my home country.
Tzinah Records: What motivates you to be an active part of the underground movement?
Vakru: I guess I’m doing what I love and this is my motivation.
Tzinah Records: What’s your favorite type of breakfast?
Vakru: Something light, sandwich and coffee works great for me.
Tzinah Records: What do you do when the music is not playing?
Vakru: I’m mobile applications developer and this is my main job. I love this as much as I do with music.
Tzinah Records: What’s the story behind your Tzinah Family Podcast? How did you record it and are there released or unreleased tracks?
Vakru: This is very special podcast for me, because this is first podcast I recorded on my new Denon players. All tracks are released. The funny fact about podcast that I mixed up with tracks order I prepared initially and I realized this only when I was in the middle of the podcast, but after listening podcast a couple of times I realised that I like new orders much better.
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?
Vakru: Sure I will be sharing new music with Tzinah, next goal is EP. I hope to get some gig in our local club One One:
Tzinah Records: Supposing you come back reading this interview in 10 years from now; could you try saying something to your future-self?
Vakru: Yeah I wish my self never stop producing music and build my dream studio near my house.