Contributing Writer
Emerging from Romania’s underground, DJ and producer TULVAN makes triumphant Desolat debut with ‘Ninety Four’. The deep dark and gritty track takes the sounds of the late-night raves and early morning warehouses to listeners of the Loco Dice imprint with powerful bass and escalating grooves. When the London-based talent is not releasing music on acclaimed labels, he heads up festival and event brands, ‘Rave Romania and ‘Raveland’. TULVAN sits down with us to talk all this and more in this latest interview.
Hi, welcome, thanks for speaking with us. How are you?
Hi, thank you for having me. I’m doing well and excited to be here to talk about my music and experiences.
Great! Let’s start with your music, how would you describe your sound to someone who has never listened before?
My sound is a blend of deep, dark, and gritty electronic elements. Over the years I’ve been experimenting with diverse influences from House and Techno music and beyond. It’s music that aims to take the listener on a journey, whether it’s on the dance floor or through headphones.
Your latest single, ‘Ninety Four’ is definitely dark and gritty, what was the inspiration behind your Desolat debut?
‘Ninety Four’ was inspired by the raw, industrial sounds of the underground scene. I drew a lot from my own experiences in clubs and warehouses, where the atmosphere is intense and intimate. The track reflects that vibe, aiming to capture the essence of those late-night moments.
Speaking of the underground scene, you originally hail from Romania but are now based in London, has the UK electronic music scene influenced you in any way?
Absolutely. The UK electronic music scene is incredibly diverse and vibrant. Being in London has exposed me to a variety of sub-genres and styles, which has broadened my own musical palette. The underground scene, in particular, has inspired me to experiment more with my music and push boundaries.
In comparison, how would you describe the club scene in Romania, did you have any favourite spots to perform?
The club scene in Romania used to be incredible. It was passionate and dedicated, with a strong sense of community. Unfortunately at the moment I feel a disconnection between underground music and listeners. Some of my favorite spots to perform include Hala Laminor in Bucharest and there is a place near Timisoara, open field, where we hosted Raveland Festival for the first time. These venues have a great vibe and capacity to hold big events.
Tell us more about your parties ‘Rave Romania’ and ‘Raveland’, is there a story about how they came about?
Both ‘Rave Romania’ and ‘Raveland’ were born out of my and Exob’s desire to create platforms for local talent and to foster a strong community around electronic music. We started small, organizing underground events, and it grew from there. The goal was always to bring people together and celebrate the music we love.
With all your expertise gathered over the years, what would you say are the hallmarks of a great party?
A great party is all about the energy and connection between the DJ and the crowd. It needs a combination of a killer sound system, a well-curated lineup of DJs who know how to read the crowd, and a venue that complements the music. But most importantly, it’s the people – their enthusiasm and openness – that make a party truly memorable.
Speaking of great parties, what’s been your favourite festival experience so far and why?
My favorite festival experience was Sunwaves in Romania. The location by the Black Sea, the diverse lineup, and the energy of the crowd make it a unique and unforgettable experience.
What can you tell us about your plans for the rest of 2024?
For the rest of 2024, I have several exciting projects lined up. I’m working on new music that I can’t wait to share. I’m also collaborating with some amazing artists on a few tracks. Plus, we have some big events planned for ‘Rave Romania’ and ‘Raveland’ that I’m really looking forward to.
TULVAN