1.For the not so clued up person in regards to the world of Soulful House and Garage, UK Underground music could you tell us how you got started in this game? ...Please inform us who you are???

Well I started pretty young, when I was 11 years old in school during the break between two class hour I played music on school speaker system. I loved it and then I decide what I wanna be in my life - a DJ.

1a. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today? 1(a) Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you) 1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?) 1(d) Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

First of all it was my older brother who had me buggin with Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, U2 and other 80s music and of course your radio where I listened all charts and recorded them onto Cassette tape. This was good introduction to my music life that comes in 1990s with electronic bands like Shamen, KLF, Orbital, Prodigy ..too much to mention em all.

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene Motown, The Sound of Philadelphia or Stax Records artists Jazz artists Or just any particular artist?

Hehe, well I think AC/DC hard rockers from Australia. I wanted to play drums for them :)) yeah and also Public Enemy and De La Soul.

3. You are a DJ/Producer, or are you just a Dj? What was the first club that you played that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now; and have you gone back to play there from time to time?

I'm a dj/producer, who started as a dj only. In 1997, I started producing. First club? Hmm, THE B52s, in my hometown Kutina, Croatia. In 1995 I got into it via a replacement for one guy who played there. I was asked me if I could play one night besides him because he was going on some vacation. I was happy and I agreed. Afterwards the club owners never called him back :) I was then starting a residency. Before that I started to earn my first income from playing music on our radio station called "RMK" in 1994. I am still doing this each and every Sunday from 20:00pm to 22:00pm in my underground radio show called "SUPREME FUNK FM", right now in on 245th edition.

4. I posed this question to quite a few Dj's across the world and now I'm going to pose it to you. Have you been given the chance to play on those famous/infamous Pirate Radio Show's within your area of the world; any of them at all? Is there a pirate radio set-up near you by the way? Would or will you play on them still? In short what do you think of the Pirate radio set-up in general? Do they serve a purpose, or have they out stayed their welcome?

Well I must admit I didn't play on any of them. The first station that I played on was legal. I think that Pirate radio station is "welcomed" because people running them want to promote "quality sound" without earning money. Today most Radio stations only plays mostly commercial crap, or artist who have paid them for playing their tracks on the radio airwaves. I hate that. This isn't democracy. People getting dump because the Dj's that are serving them so called popular music is actually its crap. When they get into club/s they always request to playing the top radio tunes. Today it is very hard to be successful with quality music because of same guys who will sold out their "Souls" for 10 bucks and for the opportunity of becoming famous. I'm carrying on the hard way. I always did. Quality music is my motto. Even if I never play again. I don't know any other way!!!

5.Still on being a DJ. What would you considered to like playing the best.Disco House, Jazz House or 2-STEP Garage, Soul, Rnb or Funk! Or all mentioned?

Yeah I'm still Dj. I can't live without it actually. I'm booked every week, and I have also got residency and promoting stuff in club called "RAM" where I have been doing it every Fridays in last 3 years.

The style that I play with usually start with a style that uses Jazzy-Bossa-Latin stuff to deep-jazzy house, and it ends sometimes on Tech house feel. This depends on how I feel, or how the crowd is in front of me. I also I like to play at least 3 hours sets so I can show people what I really do.

6. When you are at home relaxing what do you prefer to listen to Truthfully now!!

Hmmm depends...sometimes I listen drum n bass , sometimes downtempo acid jazz , sometimes deephouse , funk - hip hop - never the same. Latest sounds that my Cd player is oftenly playing at home is the new album from gurus STEREO MCs. Deep Down & Dirty and I love it. Come back album after 9 years. I think I was the happiest man around when I first heard that because I liked their first albums. They introduced me into world of real instruments and electronic music.

7. Have you traveled abroad to work? ?(Only write down if its applies) Where did you play..what country? Was it a success?? What is your favourite country to DJ in, and the favourite club.

Only in our neighbour country SLOVENIA, and there it was okay, nothing special. Just okay. Soon I will got some gigs in USA - Chicago, and The CEZCH Republic - Prague.

8. What are your thoughts on the music such as 2-Step Garage music that is busting out of London? Have you heard of this style of Garage music yet? The music has bulldozed its way into the Garage world. Its the newest hybrid of the music within the scene. Some people hate it. Some people love it. If I were to mention to you an artists such as M.J.COLE, would that mean anything to you? What are your views on the scene and this gender of House music culture?

Well MJ COLE, from the Uk, is the king and godfather of 2 Step Garage music in my opinion. I love only his vision of it., because he is the man who knows job. I remember that track called "Sincere". This tracks that came out in 1998-99. I'm not sure I liked it from start. I managed to get it on vinyl also. He predicts the future with it Many others from that scene I don't like. They all follow his success right now, and are thinking, "I will make 2 Step Garage music, and get money". Also I think it will die very soon like "Speed Garage" did. 2-Step Garage music will only stay on with MJ COLE being on the scene working because he's different.

9. There seems to be a love for Soulful House and GARAGE music at the moment that resembles the early days of Hiphop music within the USA. Labels are being sought after, the pirates are canning the music. Underground clubs via word of mouth are becoming "Sought after places to visit" here in England. What is the situation like in your area of the world?

Pretty bad or not ...for me it is.… Too many people's are going to Techno parties with the reason of, "I will take "XTC" and make me feel good". That's pretty bad I think. They don't come to listen music, they come to get drugged up. Soulful House and Garage is a music where you don't need to be drugged up to listen it. Even if you do take "XTC" it will make the sounds, sound too slow. So that kids don't come to Garage or Soulful parties, only the older public do which I prefer.

10. Do you like the travelling that is involved in this type of work. It seems glamourous going from one town to the next but is it? Have you ever had the chance to travel within this work. What are your views.

I like it a lot. Almost every week I sit in my car with my girl or friends, and we go to some other city to play in club. I love that. I think without working like a dj I wouldn't travel 20% as much as I do right now. Hehe you get so much fun, to play music which you like, and get paid for it as well is a really nice combination with not much people got in their lives.

11. BBC Radio 1(Englands national station) seems to be championing the cause of dance music. But is this fools gold? Is this only a case of dance music being fashionable so the the BBC are panicking and getting pressurised in putting on these soul, drum and basss and garage shows in fear of getting left behind? What is the state of play with regards to your country (Croatia) and Dance music in general over the airwaves to the general public...???

I have listened BBC Radio 1(England) few times now. There are some really some great shows on it from Djs like Danny Rampling, and Fabio & Grooverider; but honestly I think that the BBC are playing that music only of money. 99% of tracks played in shows from Pete Tong, and the others are paid to being played on their shows So it is the money got there first word. The can be said for when Djs are selecting tracks for their mixed compilations which is really bad.

12.If it were possible would you prefer the playing of the long, long sets that are given to American DJ's such as Danny Tenglia of what Uk/ European DJ's can only dream of at places like the "Tunnel" in New York, etc, etc. Then the customary 1 or 2 hours that is given out to most European DJ's?. What is the situation in your country with regards to the hours given to Dj's to perform. How many Hours per set do they give you via the clubs?

Actually I never played less than 2 hours - ever. My sets are usually3-5 hours long. It depends. I like this situation because I can show people that my music has got some message, and a real story behind it. Of course you can't do much in hour or even 2 hours...Even if you have some extra Dj skills. Also I love Danny Tenglia dj sets he is the man in this style of music.

13.Dubbed the New Ibiza by music critics and fashion experts alike. Do you fear for the islands (Ayia Napia, Cyprus) beauty? Do you think that the island will attract all the wrong types of people? Watching the film called the "Beach" starring Leonardo Da Capiro. We all saw what could happen if rules are bent and relax to accommodate wealthy holiday makers. Do you think that Ayia Napia, as a holiday resort could be spoilt.? Has Croatia, from a dance/clubber point of view heard of Ayia Napa , in Cyprus... yet???

Ibiza is such a nice thing. People their find way to promote their islands, play good music and have fun Bad people you can find everywhere, no matter where you are or or if you are famous or not. It is impossible to prevent from bad people from travelling.. Here in Croatia, we have got the most beautiful sea and coastline in the world. The Adriatic Sea. Also the scene here is great during the Summer season alot of great parties are organised on the coast; and on the islands, so if we get really into music culture I think that we can become a famous party land too…!!

14.Do you still do your own stint of record shopping or hunting? Or do you leave it up to being supplied by labels, etc to keep you up to date? When you play out?(If you play out) A lot of DJ's nowadays survive by living of what given to them by Record labels of all shapes and sizes. What about you. Does this apply to you?

70% or more of the records that I get, I still buy myself; and still get some from records labels... I tend to purchase them monthly or get sent them montly. Pretty much promo vinyls and cds.. My shelves are full of them .. All I earn is from playing like Dj and remixes that I doing for others. Very little I can earn from my own released music. Record labels are too greedy, so that's the one of reason I will run own record label next year.

15. As labels go..Have you a favourite. One that you always stop by as you flick through the piles of Records in your specialist record shop?

Actually I got a few labels I like. These are: Toko (Uk) , Glasgow Underground (Uk) , Paperecordings (Uk) , NRK (Uk) , End (Uk) , Svek (Swed) , Guidance (Usa) , Naked Music (Usa) , UTC (Uk). These are just a few. They are too much to mention. I also I like labels like Loaded, Soma, I! Records, Ovum, Stickman, Aquarius, Chez , Statra, Pagan, Black Vinyl and I always trying to discover some new and unknown ones which are much better than the some of famous ones.

16. Record mixing. Your technique when playing out. Do you use a style of blending when you playing out; or are you a person who like to jump straight in and out of a track without warning!!! What styles do you like to use?

My gigs are full of long mixes at least 2-3 minutes playing both tracks. Also sometimes I do scratch when playing. Sometimes if I play Tech House music I preform really fast mixes, depending on the situation, and how I feel. Anyway everything must sound perfect, every noise, sound must feel together. .I'm making a story and I don't like to break it into parts. You have got start and you got end.. Never the same.

17. The Soulful House scene in Croatia, is not known about around the world. Is it healthy? Does Croatia, as a nation like the sound of House and Garage more then say Techno? Is there a preference of Techno rather than Soulful House in Croatia? Please let us know?

The truth is that Techno music is bigger here than House music, but we have also got some famous artists from Croatia such as EDDY & DUS (style - bossa , breaks , funk , deep , jazzy house) who are releasing their stuff for BLACK VINYL Records in UK; and also on their own home label in France, which owns Claude Monet.

I haven't yet released anything out of Croatia, but I hope so soon. I will get a EP to be released on the USA label called Guidance from Chicago. They liked my tracks so we will see a release probably towards the end of year. Also some of the UK labels are in game. I wouldn't mention any of them as yet, but they really famous in underground house music.

18. If I were to come to Croatia and I want to hear good old fashioned House where would you point me to?

First of all into club where I'm resident Dj, the "RAM" in Kutina, Croatia, where myself and the owner are promoting ONLY quality music. Other places where it would be good for you to hear quality music is at the Kontrapunkt nights in Aquarius / Zagreb which are organised and features Dj's from EDDY & DUS and their guests each and every Sunday.

19. Changing the subject slightly. Are you running a record label of anykind? And if so, who have you got signed to the label?

No not yet, but I hopefully next year I will set up everything to run it properly with full support to our artists. I will sign a few Croatian artists yet unknown, some Hungarians as well. That's what I'm sure off .. In the future if some of us get famous well………

20. As you are dj/producer/remixer have you got any new singles or done any remixing yourself that is due to come out lately? There's a mix that you have done on the new Faithless single that will be out 09/2001 called "Muhamed Ali". How did that come about? How did you meet up or make contact with Faithless???

Remix which I'm proud of is for Ivan Kapec Jazz Trio band which you will be able soon from my official web site www.blacksoulmusic.com which isn't working right now because I am still working on the design and materials for it. Stuff with Faithless I get thrown over to me by my old friend called FRX who working for Croatian label Menart.

He got the rights for distribution of the new Faithless new album called "Outrospective". They got e-mail from Cheecky management, that they are interested in local remixers that would interested in doing some new mixes for material of this album. So FRX recommend me, and few other artists.So I started to work on it. I got it finished and now I'm waiting to see if they like me enough to take on my work. Honestly really don't know results, but if it goes wrong I really don't mind. I'm have a lot other projects at the moment as well. For instance I am working right now on 3 remixes for other bands; and on my own full album with jazz guitarist Ivan Kapec. So I am thinking to quit remixing in next few months and got focused on own materials.

21.Deep House seems to be your cup of tea. This form of House music is probably the most followed style in House and Garage music in the world. Are you a lover of the music? Do you listen to tunes from the labels such as Paper, Guidance, Glasgow Underground, Wave, Yellow, Panhandle, Naked Music, Red Melon, Track Mode at all....What makes Deep House music so special to you? have you got a favourite Deep House producer in mind. For instance Glenn Underground or Larry Heard..? Is there a label from your country that produces this kind of House music???

You don't need to like electronic music so you can listen Deep house music.Its open to all kinda genres for me, and from the young people to old who can't really understand todays music which is great. When I throw out Deep house music set I can send my message.I love this music it because it fullness of sounds, live instruments and sheer quality, simply it turns me on like any of music can't. That is my choice.

With regards to the artist ...Hmm too many to mention here. From the known to the unkwon which I like. The first one my mind is Miguel MIGS from San Francisco, Usa, then Crazy Penis from UK, and yeah there's also Weekender (Guys from Toko - Uk, SI BRAD , Alex Moran) those are the ones that I have got in my mind right now.

All of labels that you mention I love and I have been getting their records. Really quality music is what I like.

At the moment in Croatia we don't have such label yet. We are a small country 4.5 milion of peoples, and maybe we are not ready for this yet ..... But I will try with my own Label next year, wish me luck.

22. Who do you rate as one to look out for in the future (DJ Wise?) Who should we keep an eye out for! From your own country? DJ/ music artist/s producer and from what you have heard or seen from abroad? DJ/ music artist/s producer.

From my own country. Hmm …Zvuk Broda. These guys are making really great music which I still can't believe. They are really great, I hope they will sing for my label. Also I recommend EDDY & DUS, who have got a great reputation outside of my country, and keep eye for Blacksoul releases in future (my own production:))

22.Blaze and The Master at Work, seem to go from strength to strength as does Larry Heard. All of these artists are in the Garage and Soulful House of Hall of fame. Are you a fan of there's? Or have you got a particular Soulful House hero that you would like to share with us.Whom you feel should be mentioned also?

Like you read my mind. You know what I like!!! There isn't any Blaze remix I don't have :) MAW are also great, as is Larry Heard, all Deep soulful house veterans , god bless am all.

23.What's your most favourite Soulful House, Deep House and Garage track. You know, the one that gives you goose pimples when you hear it? Everybody has one. Mine's is "Nightlife" by Kim English (Masters at Work mix)...Whats your's????

Hmmm Marshal Jefferson - Mushroom (salt city orchestra rmx)

24. Where's the next event that we can see, Mr.Tomislav Pasanec perform? Have you got a residencey for instance??

Like I said I have got a residency, and own night at the "BADASSENTIAL" within the club called RAM in KT / Croatia; thats where you can find me every Friday and Saturdays. I'm booked in other cities , maybe one day you can catch me in UK :)) hehe

25. Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or club owner within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he should adhere to!

Follow your soul. Be a man - everything you do, do it with your heart and don't ever listen others be yourself . Peace!!

Interview conducted by Dj Tomislav Pasanec

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