Ni na zemlji ni na nebu

Neither on earth nor in heaven.

TWIT TWOO!

Growing up in Thatchers Britain, music was an escape for many. From a very young age, Hootsman developed an appreciation for all forms of music.

"Looking back, I was lucky. 
As a Father seeing the world and choices for my kids, it makes me feel glad I grew up when I did. 
First it was break-dancing, when I was really young, then the acid house and rave scene completely changed everything for kids my age. As a young adult, the UK offered a club culture like few other countries did at the time. The mid 90s to early zeros really were a special time for music and culture in the UK. I'm proud of my heritage."

Today, Hootsman wants to produce and perform what he believes is his true sound and help his son to 'arrive' into the scene with the best options possible.

"I have maybe 10 years of this to have fun myself, but my kid has a lifetime. Nobody helped me when I was his age, it was frustrating. There must be thousands of kids out there who don't get to express themselves musically. I think people today have near total freedom and opportunity to connect and deliver. They just need to have something, have a go and put in the effort. Its probably more fun now than it was around the millennium era."

Anyone who has heard Hootsman DJ will hear one thing throughout his sets, melody.

"It's got to be melodic for me. I hate pigeon holes and labels when it comes to music. Its all acid house and techno really. Everything else is an add on. I suppose I have to describe my sound though, Melodic Progressive House & Techno."

How about influences? Who inspired you and motivated you to experiment with music.

"While at primary school, I remember the main commercial popular charts being something I followed on a weekly basis. Bands like KLF, The Prodigy, Technotronic and a few others all played their part in me starting to find new ways to listen to electronic music. The US West coast hip hop scene was important to me as well and obviously the UK rave scene played it's part too. It was probably around 1996 when I started to become properly aware of the current of special music that wasn't making the main stream. In either the summer of '96 or '97, I went to my first festival and that had a huge impact on me. I was very lucky! I saw Daft Punk, Carl Cox, Republica, Kula Shaker, Laurent Garnier, Aphex Twix, Underworld and loads more perform live in just one day. Daft punk live was a game changer and although I'd seen Cox before, his performance that festival was inspiring. From there I was determined to become a professional DJ, and this was at a time when what were regarded as underground or niche artists started selling music into the top 10s of commercial charts. Underworld, Moby, The Chemical Brothers and loads more did a lot for music at that time." 

What about DJs?

"There have been a few I have regarded as 'go to' for music I craved. Carl Cox has been in my life musically since I can remember being into electronic dance music. He is a very special person, has stuck to his way and never ever tired, or taken a break. He is the best there has ever been or will be in my opinion. Paul Oakenfold 1996 to 2000 was a huge influence and inspiration for me too, and I think that comes across in my DJing. Earlier than that, Drum n Bass jocks LTJ Bukem, Grooverider, Fabio, Goldie, and Hype all inspired me technically. Then you have guys like Tom Middleton, Sasha, Digweed, and Sven Vath who I also paid attention to. Since the early zeros, it has been more about individual pieces of music, performances and albums. I don't have a 'go to' for music now, except of course for labels, as a DJ, you have to. "

Favourite album?

"OH COME ON! Seriously?!
Hip hop; 2pac - all eyes on me.
Electronic Artist; Moby - play
Pop; Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
Compilation; Tom Middleton - The Sound of the Cosmos (2002)
Essential Mix; Paul Oakenfold - Home @ Space, bondai beach (1999)"

DJ,/Producer & founder of @We-Are-The-Party (WATP), an independent electronic label, podcast, genre crossing dance night and collective of like-minded up and coming DJs and producers from around the world based out of Belgrade, Serbia.

We Are The Party (WATP):
www.facebook.com/1737637936280142

Donovan Axel's Past Gigs:
12.09.19 WATP @ Calle 9 + 1, Medellin
09.02.19 WATP @ Kvaka 22, Belgrade
01.02.19 WATP @ Klub Studio Kućica, Belgrade
19.01.19 WATP @ Tito's Yacht, Belgrade
31.12.18 WATP @ Klub Studio Kućica, Belgrade
28.12.18 WATP @ Klub Studio Kućica, Belgrade
27.12.18 WATP @ Fantazija, Belgrade
01.12.18 WATP @ Ljubimac, Belgrade
23.09.18 WATP @ Tito's Yacht, Belgrade
25.08.18 WATP @ Tito's Yacht, Belgrade
22.07.18 WATP @ Tito's Yacht, Belgrade
22.06.18 WATP @ Ljubimac, Belgrade
18.05.18 WATP @ Drum, Belgrade
26.04.18 WATP @ Ljubimac, Belgrade
15.03.18 WATP @ Ljubimac, Belgrade
18.01.18 WATP @ Ljubimac, Belgrade

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