NEWS
EVENTS
An Interview with the Godfather of Romanian Electronic Music
House | Friday 28th March 2025 | Joe
Origins & Legacy
DJ Vasile, your name is synonymous with Romania’s underground music scene. Can you take us back to those early post-Revolution years? What did the musical landscape look like, and how did you carve your space in it?
Before the '90s, I was already a music collector and a roadie, travelling across the country with what was essentially a national caravan of music performers. This was a pretty underground scene in Communist Romania. Then, in the early '90s, I had the opportunity, alongside a friend, to land a show at the newly established Radio Romania Tineret, where I stayed for about four years. During that time, I was also DJing at one of Romania’s first independent radio stations, Radio Nova 22.
At Radio Nova, I had access to music and information from all over the world. It was a real turning point—radio and TV stations were buzzing with new sounds, though the content often leaned towards questionable taste. What started as a radio DJ gig quickly evolved into club DJing, where I began experimenting with different styles, fuelled by all the new music I was discovering. Eventually, I gravitated towards electronic music and got involved in projects like Shukar Collective and Natural Soft Killers (NSK).
Back then, the music scene in Romania was incredibly limited. After years of communist hymns and party songs, rock music was the first to break through, followed by hip-hop and urban folklore. From roadie to radio DJ to party DJ, I was constantly reshaping my journey as I discovered more and more.
Your work in radio has been pivotal in shaping electronic music in Romania, from Radio Nova to the legendary Zona Liberă. How did these platforms influence your approach to DJing and live performances?
While working at Radio Nova and Zona Liberă, I had access to a wide range of information and unlimited music. I had a hunger for discovery—new sounds, new genres—and that hunger still persists today. I don’t think I’ll ever be fully fed.
I was also deeply inspired by the UK DJ scene, which had the biggest influence on me. Unlike the German or US scenes, the UK approach taught me the importance of blending energy and genres in ways that feel fresh, unexpected, and raw.
Fusion & Evolution
Your career has been a constant journey of reinvention, blending everything from punk and new wave to techno and dubstep. What drives this evolution? Do you see your sets today as a culmination of these past influences or a whole new chapter?
That same hunger I mentioned earlier is what drives me. I’ve spent years learning from the masters and finding my own way, always listening, always keeping an ear out for new sounds that I can integrate into my sets.
My sets today are definitely a synthesis of everything I’ve absorbed and filtered through my soul along the way.
The Shukar Collective was ahead of its time—fusing traditional Romani sounds with electronic music in a way that felt raw yet futuristic. How did that project shape your artistic philosophy?
It was challenging in every sense. From finding a common language of communication to carving out a new path in uncharted territory, the project was a quasi-collective effort with various artists contributing their own vision.
It had a lasting impact on me, forcing me to adapt to situations I hadn’t encountered before and pushing me to rethink my approach to music and performance.
Sarcasm and irony are often present in your music selections. What role does humour or social commentary play in your sets?
Humour and irony play major roles. For over 20 years, Zona Liberă has had a solid touch of humour and aims to remind people about the moral obligation to stay informed, often by weaving snippets of social commentary into our sets.
Performance & the UK Debut
March 29th marks your first performance in the UK with the Silent Return Crew. What can the London crowd expect from a DJ Vasile set?
Expect nothing—I don’t. The crowd is part of my set, so the goal is to keep the energy alive until the last person drops. One thing’s for sure: it won’t be your usual home or car music. Shazam won’t have much power where I play.
Romanian underground music has a distinct sound and energy. How do you think it translates to international audiences?
It’s almost like a culinary experience—like tasting a familiar dish, but with a new cultural twist. Cross-cultural fusion is the future of the global music community. It’s time to open the windows and let new influences flow in.
Are there any UK artists or movements that have influenced you over the years?
The entire UK underground scene shaped my ears over the years, and now, here I am to destroy it! I’ll ruin your expectations—but with good intentions.
Looking Ahead
After 25+ years in the game, what excites you most about music today? Are there any new sounds or artists catching your attention?
I’m constantly chasing new sounds in search of the next great party. I celebrate life every day by staying up to date with the latest music trends and styles.
If you could give advice to a young DJ coming up in Romania’s underground scene today, what would it be?
It’s a niche industry, and sometimes you’ll be tempted to play it safe—trap with trap, dubstep with dubstep, vocals here, no vocals there. But I’ve found that fusion is the best path. Fusion that leads to confusion—and in that confusion, you discover something new.
Above all, play the right music at the right time. That’s how you stay in sync with the crowd—and when you’re in sync, magic happens.
You can catch DJ Vasile @ Silent Return in Brixton on Saturday 29th March
Tickets Available at Resident Advisor
