DJ and Producer Denis
Horvat came to Beast’s attention last year in 2016 with the track ‘Momak’ which was released on Innervisions ‘Secret Weapons 8’ EP. Its deep pulsating vibe played to
the rich, dark sounds that Minotaur Sound love to hear and dance to. There are
only a few scatterings of Denis’s DJ sets available out there to listen to and
each one is utterly sublime to hear – Denis proves that he can produce well and
he can also DJ with the same passion and panache that he applies to his music. His
music and sets already weave a unique flavor of depth and melodic techno that allow
you to recognize Denis immediately from his peers.
Sharing the same bill as
the likes of Ame, Dixon and Maceo Plex and signed up to Aeon and Innervisions
and with his latest Axle EP release, it was high time that The Beast brought the
Danish Dynamite to Bristol for what will be his debut on Saturday May 13th
at Lakota. Beast invited Denis into the epicenter of his labyrinth for a pre
party interview to ask him a few questions and get some insight for Saturday
night.
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| Denis Horvat |
Beast asked Denis what he
usually starts with when preparing for a set. “I listen to a lot of podcasts
and DJ sets from other acts - it gives me ideas and inspiration for my DJ sets.
I don’t have a special ritual or preparation strategy. I just play the music I
like”. As has been mentioned several times in previous Beast interviews this is
a strategy that works best for Minotaur Sound nights – it’s critically
essential that DJ’s enjoy themselves and play what they like. There is always a
risk that a set becomes stale and constrained if a DJ is too rigorous or doesn’t
go with the flow or enjoy himself.
To further prove this
point Beast asks Denis what makes him decide to play a particular record/track during one of
his sets. “First of all I'm adapting my music to the audience. I wouldn't play
a techno tune or a peak time track, in the early hours. But I love to play
varied!” Beast clasps his hooves with glee – had Denis told him that he is
prescriptive or doesn’t read his audience he would have chopped off his head
immediately. No time for selfishness where Minotaur Sound is involved.
Denis is always dedicated
to his incredibly well equipped studio (Beast has synthesizer envy) and is
always posting on social media about his work and his travels. Beast is keen to
find out more about how Denis manages a good work/ life balance in between
releasing his epically good Axle EP (which Beast and crew have been listening
to avidly since it was released in early April). Denis explains “I'm also really
happy about the release, even though the tracks are almost 1.5 years old. But
the feedback has been amazing. It's a bit tough to balance DJ’ing, studio and
private life. For me the key is discipline and self-control, and to get
properly rested during the week. It's like a never-ending Jetlag feeling, when
you sleep a minimum amount of hours when touring”. Beast’s man crush with Denis
peaks even higher - such dedication to his work. To follow Denis at his studio
or on his travels, head to his Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/denishorvat/
Beast asks Denis what was
his most unusual or memorable set location and Denis tells Beast that the most unusual
place he played at was in a chalet in Geneva. A really cosy place up in the
alps. Lets find out if Denis can add Lakota to his list of memorable
places – the Beast intends to set up temporary labyrinthine court there on
Saturday May 13th.
Denis’s musical offerings
garner many enthused comments on Mixcloud and Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/denis-horvat. Beast is curious about
track listings and asks Denis how he feels when he sees people desperate for track
listings and whether he has any memory of tracks that he’s heard but have never
been able to acquire? Denis tells Beast “People are way too curious about track
listings/track ID. They should focus more in enjoying the sets, rather than
being detectives :) &ME from Keinemusik played a really nice track a few
years ago. In pretty much all his sets and podcasts, but I never found the ID.
My guess is it's one of his own edits of remixes, which won't be released”. Are
you reading this &ME?
Beast is keen to find out
any other titbit that Denis would be happy to share with his fans. “Well besides
the studio geek that I am, I really enjoy drinking rum and cognac. And I'm a
big sneaker collector :) “. You hear that Bristol? Beast informs his minions and Minotaur Sound
posse to refrain themselves from throwing their underwear at Denis on Saturday.
Perhaps sneakers, rum and cognac will go down a little better ;-)
Join the Beast and his
minions as Denis decimates Lakota on Saturday night together with Lee Williams,
Kuba Drypher, Ellis Odyssey, Nautz & Toppa and G Rowe – also with
Peasoup, Kagun and Orion in the DnB room.
Recommend that you buy your
ticket well in advance for this one here: http://hdfst.uk/E36511
See you on Saturday May 13
for an epic and glitter infused night!
