Ekskluziven intervju Jonty Skruff in Alex&Filip

Q: How old were you when you were trying to mix two tracks together for the very first time?

Jonty Skrufff: “Back in the day I was a hardcore techno head and somewhere during those hazy days of the late 90s was when I first tried to mix on the Technics. However it was in 2004 when I SERIOUSLY started, spinning at Golf Sale, then London’s hippest, freakiest, queerest club of the day. The gig went like a dream and five years later, here I am (living in Berlin) looking forward to coming back to Slovenia.” Filip: “It's hard to say exactly but I think I was around 14. I was fascinated about the dj world and I knew it will be my future. It started soon after I got my first computer. The first time I mixed two tracks together was with an ancient software called something like wave studio! Later I bought my first vinyls and experimented with an old pioneer turntable and a cassette deck. In 1998 I got the Technics 1210s.”

Alex: “I became fascinated about the world of electronic music around 12, but still been listening to punk, metal and popular stuff at the time. I got my first turntables & a mixer at 15, but been buying vinyls about a year before.”

What was the most shocking moment of your life?

Jonty Skrufff: “That’s easy: being crushed by a lift- and almost dying, in a nightclub in New York. I had the last rites, was in a coma for three days and had six normally mortal injuries (ie each one) but I made a miraculous recovery and if anything the experience has turned out to be positive. It was painful though! For the full story (and some pictures of when I first started wearing make-up), click here: http://tinyurl.com/yjm4b83 Great times.

Filip: “I'm really having a hard time to remember all the stuff that happens to me. In fact I forget stuff all the time so I will just tell you something about the music. Things are happening all the time recently but it was amazing when we got a video of Sasha & Digweed playing a song that will be released in April on our label. It was even better because it was shoot on one of WMC most exclusive parties and we got the video just a few hours after the actual song got played!”

Alex: “I keep remembering all the stuff, not like Filip :), but lots of exciting stuff is happening since I work with him...from our very first track getting signed to entering the Balance and Release records charts - all was huge for us :). But things that are happening @ the moment are really exciting. We got signed by Fergie himself to Rekluse, we recently remixed for Baroque, Mark Knight played 2 of our remixes in the same show. But must say the most exciting thing @ the moment - well, better say since its beginning is our label - Mirabilis. It's simply growing with every release, some big artist want to work with us, the top djs constantly supporting us....it's insane really. TBH - we didn't even imagine it'll get that big with only 9 releases to date. And the 10th one having big chances to become a big summer hit after blowing in Miami at the WMC. Lots of our effort is in there - nothing happens without hard work.”

Q: Tell me something you hate about yourself.

Jonty Skrufff: “Hmmmm, don’t really have an answer to that one, hate’s a word I prefer to avoid.” Filip: “I love myself! =) There's nothing to hate really but something I don't like about my self is my EXTREME laziness! “

Alex: “One thinig is most of the time i'm too willing to help and sometimes it turns out to be a mistake.”

Q: What is definitely the worst song somebody asked you to play? 

Jonty Skrufff: “Rather than specific songs, it’s usually a problem when people ask you to play different genres: the worst being ‘can you play some R&B?’ or Drum & bass?’ This usually happens when absolutely everybody else is dancing so I just ignore it. R&B is a London request, it’s usually drunk coked up girls who usually go away when you give them an icy look. Occasionally I’ve had aggression, usually from drunk, coked up guys, also in London. It’s not the city it used to be: Berlin is MUCH better.” Filip: “There's lots of songs that I don't like. Every year these songs change... But some of those are even tormenting us for more than a year. I'm talking about the cheesy commercial songs that goes on and on and you hear them everywhere so you can't really escape. I don't want to mention... I don't want to recall! =)”

Alex: “Been asked lots of times to play stuff I don't like. For me there is no bad or good music - it's just matter of personal taste. I simply said "I don't play this".”

Q What do you think about Slovenian party girls? :)

Jonty Skrufff: “This one’s a dangerous question, another one my first instinct is to avoid….. hmmm, let me answer it like this. Since I’ve started DJing I’ve played in 25 countries and discovered that there are some places I feel immediately at home in. two that spring to mind in particular are Brazil and Indonesia. In both countries people are hardcore, upfront, bold and beautiful and I feel very much the same about Slovenia. I’ve played ten times or so now and always made friends quickly and hugely enjoyed the show; and a big part of that is definitely Slovenian girls: they’re cool, up for dancing, individual and yes, beautiful. I like Slovenia people and Balkans people, in general: you’re all hardcore party people: you could say I’m a fan.” Filip: “What to say... Party girls just party! We couldn't do without. =)”

Alex: “Filip's got the point, ain't he?”

Q: Are you up to something big in next few weeks? Pick one most important or interesting thing.

Jonty Skrufff: “Actually at the moment I’m in the studio a lot, and working on Skrufff business and future DJ trips. I’m back to Brazil for 11 days in June which will be my sixth trip and summer is always the busiest time of the year for travelling and big gigs. In July I’m also back at Exit Festival again playing on a big stage there (on the Friday night) which I’m excited about. For dates and new tracks and DJ mixes etc, people should check my blog; at http://skrufff.com

Filip: “Like I said before. Good stuff happening every day. And I don't want to talk about stuff that is not confirmed. One thing's for sure. Our label Mirabilis records is doing really good and we had fantastic feedbacks for our next release (Ran Shani - Classics). So watch out for Mirabilis records on April the 21th! ;) We're really excited about that and it is going to be big this summer.”

Alex: “Of course the next Mirabilis release, the gig on the 17th..u know where :) and the gig with Desyn & Satoshi Tomiie @ Inbox on the 24th. Also a confirmation of a 3 track ep for one of the biggest techno label lately....Also got quite some new releases @ the mo - check Beatport and support us :)”

Q: Some message for your fans who will come on the 17th of April in the Castle?

Jonty Skrufff: “Come to the party ready for a good dance and good time; and come and say Hi to me;-) “ Filip: “Sure... Girls and guys don't stay home, come party with us. It's going to be a night to remember!”

Alex: “Come over & don't miss this insane night of twisted techno & house bits, bleeps and white noise!”