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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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Interview with The Greek - EL GREKO
Reported by Wiggii
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Submitted 25-11-04 10:39
This big man does not need a long introduction! He is big, Greek, a really down to earth guy and his first name is Aki! He started mixing way back in 1988 when he was just 18. After gaining his confidence on the decks he started playing in clubs 2 years later, just as the underground dance scene was beginning to turn heads.
With having too much to juggle with his day job and Djing, Aki decided to put his DJ career on hold in '97 after a successful 7 year run. In 2002 he decided to unpack his decks, blow all the dust off them and started playing at any gig that came his way.
From winning the HarderFaster & Frantic DJ competition to playing at Return Of The King @ Camden Palace & Hard House Academy to name a few, to securing 4 residencies this year and now being snapped up to play for bucket loads of well known promoters nearly every weekend, the very talented El Greko's DJing career is definately going from strength to strength and doesn't look like it will ease up anytime soon.....!!
Hello there. How are you on this fine wet day?
Hey, I’m good thanx
This must be the most asked question when interviewing a DJ, but it has to be asked! How did you get started in this business and how long have you been mixing?
I first ventured onto the decks back in 1988 during the original “rave era” and started playing out around the end of 1989, so on and off I’ve been doing this for about 15 years. I’ve always been musical and loved the way I could use the decks to create my own sounds, once I had my first spin I was hooked.
Can you explain how you got the alias - El Greko?
I get asked this a lot actually; quite simply it means “The Greek” and was a nickname given to me by a Spanish friend years ago. When I first started Djing I was stuck choosing a DJ name so my friend suggested I use El Greko and it kind of stuck.
When did you play your first ever set?
My first ever set was at a club in Tottenham, back then it was called Mr B’s it’s still around now although it’s gone through a few names and owners since then. Musically it was quite middle of the road but I needed the experience so was happy to get on any set of decks.
You were one of the first DJs, to my knowledge, to integrate scratching with Hard Dance. When did you decide to learn how to scratch and when did you decide to mix scratching in with your sets?
I’ve always liked scratching over my sets but find it’s a real love/hate thing amongst the crowd, so I try to be careful not to overdo it. Luckily Hard Dance lends itself to
scratching quite well and a good routine timed just right can kick a floor off like
nothing else. I was by no means one of the first DJs to scratch over his sets, DJ SY
was doing it years ago over DnB & hardcore and very well too, it’s just there’s not
many of us that do it I guess so it stands out a bit.
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You secured your first residency at BASIC. Can you tell us a bit more about this promotion and what it is all about?
BASIC was my first residency since I came out of “retirement”. The goal behind the party was to put Friday night clubbing back on the map. It seemed in recent years all the most popular parties had moved from Friday nights to Saturdays, and there were very few decent events to go to on a Friday. So Nick Wigmore, the brains behind the operation, launched BASIC this year to see if it could fill the gap, and what a success it was, within 3 parties we had outgrown our venue and have now moved to our new home HEAVEN in Charing Cross. Re-launching on Dec 3rd.
So how did you manage to wangle that residency?
Wangle? I resent the insinuation….haha  . To be honest I’m not too sure, I’m just doing the same thing I have always done but with the exposure Frantic have given me this past year (thanks again Frantic) things have started to happen for me. In fact I was asked by Nick @ BASIC to play at it's pre launch trial party earlier this year and I guess I must have done a good job because I was offered the residency on the spot.
This year has seen you secure a number of residencies at hard dance promotions. Why do you think they have all come along in the same year?
Well as I mentioned a HUGE part of it goes to Will, Dickon (at the time), and the Frantic crew who opened a lot of doors for me, and I’d like to think the rest has been down to me. I try to do the best job I can for a promoter when I play for them and it seems I must be doing something right since I’ve ended up with 4 residencies this year, which is crazy really!!
Do you have a favourite residency?
I love them all to be honest otherwise I wouldn’t have taken them on, but I do have a soft spot for BASIC as they were the first to offer me a residency since my comeback and things all took off from there.
Your sets are pretty diverse with the different genres you mix together. What genre do you most enjoy playing and why?
When I first started playing genres weren’t so segregated, you could play many types of music during the same set and the crowd would just enjoy the dancing. As time went on I found each event became more and more focused on one type of music splitting dance music into so many sub genres it was hard to keep up. Although I don’t particularly like the term “Hard Dance” I do like the way the hard genres are now becoming more integrated with a lot more acceptance of crossover sounds. So to answer your question I enjoy playing music that gets me dancing, whatever that is.
What was the most enjoyable set you have ever played?
Now that’s a tough question, I’ve been lucky enough to play in some amazing places. Recently highlights for me have been “Frantic - Return of the King” last year which was my official Frantic debut and the BASIC launch night, which was a truly amazing night of clubbing, the atmosphere was so amazing and unbeatable.
What has been your worst Djing moment?
I’ve had a few over the years, but apart from the customary dodgy needle/dodgy mixer/dodgy monitors stuff I guess the most bizarre was a 3 hour set I played years ago when one of the decks was stuck in 33 rpm. You’d push 45 and it would jump back to 33 on its own grrrrr…  3 hours of trying to find 33rpm tunes to go on that deck was not fun, any set progression/planning was out the window it was just a matter of finding a tune to play.
Are there any plans in the pipeline to take your career to the next level, producing?
Yes for sure, I have a few ideas in the pipeline, unfortunately my day job is crazy busy so finding the time can be tough, but I’ll get there soon. Watch this space…..
I see you have a quite a special booking for early December. What is this and can you tell us a bit more about it?
Well as I touched on earlier, BASIC is relaunching at our brand new home Heaven on Dec 3rd. It is the first of our resident’s showcases and I’m first up on the block. It means I get a 2 hour slot to do my thing in which I am SO excited about. Maybe it’s because I come from a different era of Djing but these one hour sets just seem ludicrously short for me, there is no time for any progression in a set so a nice 2 hour slot will really give me a chance to do my thing. 
Have you been working on something different for this or will we just have to wait and see?
Yes……
When you are not Djing, what are you doing?
I’m generally busy at work.
Quick fire questions:
Which mixer, Pioneer or Allen & Heath?
PIONEER, FOR SURE!!
Vinyl or CD?
A year ago I would have said Vinyl but now it’s no preference, both have pros and cons.
Fav tune of all time?
Too hard, too many. Possibly Dreamwaver: LiquidMM
What car do you drive?
Just sold my Skyline GTR, I now drive an AUDI S8
Mixing or gym?
Draw
Beer or spirit?
Both
Fav club?
Camden Palace (RIP)
Blonde or brunette?
Both
Anything else you would like to share with us?
No I’m sure I’ve waffled on too much already
Thanks for your time!
Cheers
Thanks to El Greko for his time and Wiggii and Habittz Inc for the use of their photo's.
Share this ::  :  :  : 
Follow HarderFaster :: 
Other Features By Wiggii:
An audience with Paul Maddox
10800 seconds with Mr Simon Rutherford before his world exclusive 3 hour set
Interview with a new hybrid dj & producer - Kutski
Interview with a UK hard trance legend - Steve Blake
Interview with a born and bred scouser - GUFFY
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Dr DUZZIT on 25th Nov 2004 12:05.32
Nice work this year Grek, well done mate Wicked review
From: Melanie on 25th Nov 2004 13:07.45
Wicked interview Aki. Can't wait to hear your set at Basic 
From: *ELZ* on 25th Nov 2004 17:47.48
..and what an incredible year it's been!! Great interview.. looking forward to the treats you're no doubt gonna serve up at the next BASIC... "GO ON EL GREKO!!!!"
From: Miles Gorfy on 25th Nov 2004 20:06.48
Love you fella, can't wait to B2b again, whats it been, 4 times this year?
From: Lozz on 26th Nov 2004 09:09.09
Awesome stuff Aki and well deserved!! Dare to think what 2005 has in store for you mate!
From: Pandora S-K on 26th Nov 2004 13:08.21
Nice little read about you, didn't know you were an old skoll raver! looking 4ward to hearing you at Basic 
From: Lana M on 26th Nov 2004 15:18.59
get some tunes done luv! I bet you have got some cracking ideas  good interview...one day when i have stopped saving my money youll see me back on the dancefloor
From: Hannah Wild on 27th Nov 2004 15:17.48
From: Sue Stripey on 27th Nov 2004 20:48.27
Awesome review Aki, lookin forward to Basic in Dec
From: Ian Edwards on 28th Nov 2004 21:29.05
this is one cool dude, wicked dj, and good friend. thanks for your help getting me started mate. Bring it on BASIC @ HEAVEN.
From: Joe Black on 28th Nov 2004 21:58.37
One of the nicest, most enthusiastic DJs around.
From: snowqueen on 29th Nov 2004 08:40.36
Hi Aki...good interview, when i first heard u at camden, i knew you were going to be @ the top, wll done, chris and i will have to come along to basic, we havent seen you for a while, i think the last time was Hardware..cyaxxx!
From: Roffie on 29th Nov 2004 12:09.52
After seeing u do that lil scratching thing in your set, you have my respect man. Brill interview and proud that you are one of our residents @ BASIC. See you on the 3rd of Dec.
From: DJ El_Greko on 29th Nov 2004 21:35.15
Thanks for all the comments guys, much appreciated
See U all @ BASIC
From: ~deleted5181 on 30th Nov 2004 10:50.41
From: VinDiesel on 30th Nov 2004 10:51.01
Great interview. Fantastic Dj and a really nice guy as well. Im looking forward to his set at Basic on Friday :thumb
From: ~deleted5181 on 30th Nov 2004 11:19.35
From: Dickon Laws on 30th Nov 2004 22:57.40
Aki's was one of the first demos we heard when shortlisting the Harderfaster/Frantic DJ comp finalists. At the time both me & Will commented that it was something pretty special. To see him go all the way is superb. His emergence as one of the London scenes most promising up and coming DJs is proof it was no fluke. Good luck with the showcase Aki - well deserved!
From: Mikey P on 2nd Dec 2004 00:22.45
Mate another Interview, THE Basic Showcase & 4 Residencies All in one year... Suuuperb.
Oh & yes... where is this new CD we have all been waiting for eh.. eh...eh ?!!
Youv'e played a blinder - 2005 Bigger & Better. Aiiiiiiiiiii x
From: Minx! on 3rd Dec 2004 14:42.20
Wicked interview!!!  The first time I heard your demo, I knew you would go far....and then a few months later you won the HF/Frantic comp...so well deserved hun!!! 
From: Hard House Hippy on 7th Dec 2004 18:41.32
Who the fuck is El Greko?
Only joking bro. Good to see you doing well still, the Source crew still talk about you mate. I think that they're jealous personally ; )
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