Tijana T is undoubtedly one of the most influential names in the Serbian dance music scene as well as the global scene. Known for her mastery an acid-dominant techno style with elements of breakbeat, house, electro, and synth-rock she has turned ears all across the globe. Tijana T has headlined on the world-famous Boiler Room as well as at seminal clubs like Panorama Bar, We Love… Space in Ibiza, Output New York, The Block Tel Aviv, Kaiku in Helsinki, Arma17 Moscow, Tresor Berlin and festivals like alongside appearances at A-tier clubs such as Bassiani, Tresor, Fabric, ARMA17, Panoramabar, Kaiku, The Block, The Bunker, Concrete, and Space Ibiza, as well as festivals such as Sonus, Magnetic Fields, Piknic Electronic, Nuits Sonores, Sonar, DGTL to name a few.
Her powerful sets are things that invariably make people dance to good music and though currently focussed on techno, she is also likely to reach for house music of all styles from acid to jacking and is a DJ who educates and amazes as much as she entertains.
We got an amazing opportunity to chat with her before she takes over the DJ booth tomorrow at the first-ever DGTL Bengaluru, check it out:
1. Hello Tijana, its good to have you back in India this week! How does it feel to be back?
Tijana T: Actually it’s not so long, I’ve been here a little over a year ago. I love India and I am always happy to come back. It’s probably the most impressive country in the world and I feel lucky to be invited to play there over and over again.
2. What’s the best thing about your hometown Belgrade, how did it impact your music taste in your early years?
Tijana T: Belgrade is a peculiar place that stands right between Western and Eastern Europe and through history there’s been so many changes and so many different influences, it’s hard to define which culture it belongs to. I find that inspiring and it is also felt in the music scene and party scene, it’s incredibly dynamic and there’s a variety of styles. I think the kind of wide perspective I got growing up and developing in Belgrade is the most precious thing my birthplace gave me. It’s also a place where people need to improvise a lot to make things happen and that’s a good skill for a DJ or any creative individual. Belgrade has a rich music tradition and it’s famous for its clubs and parties, sometimes people underestimate the high musical standards we all have there.
3. You’ve performed at a number of eclectic festivals and immersive clubs, how do you work out the sets for both performances?
Tijana T: It’s not possible to plan a set, no matter where you play. At least for me. I’m not the DJ who plans a set. I just come with all the music I got and see where it can go once I’m at a party. Of course, there are different moods and current records as a starting point, but I really only know what and how I will play once I’m at the venue. Sometimes the vibe in the room changes in the middle of my set and so does the music. It would be very boring to always know how your set will sound in advance. I don’t see the excitement of DJ-ing that way. The DJ should mediate between all the elements of a party – dancers, sound, room and everything in between that creates a vibe.
5. For more than 10 years you’ve been DJing, your sets are full of mind-bending elements of breakbeat, house, electro, and synth-rock, how do you culminate them?
Tijana T: It takes a lot of DJ-ing experience and a lot of listening experience to be able to combine different genres in a good flow. I guess it took me some time to learn how to make it all sound coherent. There is not really a trick for that, you just need to know your music really well, which track and combos work good with each other and how it can sound even more enhanced at a party. Sometimes I try things that totally don’t work and that’s all part of the process. But the more you play out the better you know how to navigate the energy flow in music, no matter what genre it is.
6. What are your goals for the year 2020?
Tijana T: My only goal in 2020 is to keep my sanity. It’s a very crazy life, being a DJ and traveling all the time and the world is not boring these days either. I’d just like not to lose my head. Whatever comes on top in terms of music and DJ-ing is just a big plus.
7. What can your fans expect at DGTL Bengaluru 2020, any brand new remixes or singles for the Indian debut of DGTL?
Tijana T: Yes, I actually received quite a number of killer promos after New Year’s and I can’t wait to play them out!
Tomorrow catch her slaying the Frequency stage at DGTL Bengaluru 2020.
On January 11 & 12 2020, DGTL will host their very first Asian edition at the Lalit Ashok, Bangalore.
Get your passes now: http://blr.dgtl.nl/mydgtl/insider/
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