Vladimir Ivković Mix
Long time resident at the infamous Salon des Amateurs in Düsseldorf and the man behind Offen Music, Ivkovic is someone with a particularly unique talent for selecting records and weaving them into a larger – and often unusually compelling – narrative. Ahead of joining us for his 4th Origins show this December to close out the 10 Year series, Vlad is up next for Tapes #81.
As one of the finest selectors of hidden musical gems, he has kept his focus on music, especially the dark and often psychedelic sounds that lurk in its unexplored corners. Whether he’s broadcasting on the radio or piloting the dancefloor, Ivkovic is someone who applies a curatorial mindset and a deep love of music to all of his creative exploits. Yes, he’s a DJ, but he’s so much more than that; he’s a storyteller, a connoisseur and, most importantly, an artist.
Hey Vlad, hope you’re good! Such a pleasure to have you on the series. For those who may not know, can you start by introducing yourself?
My name is Vladimir Ivković, I run a label called Offen Music, I DJ, I‘m busy with several other things, I am honored to close out Origins’ 10 Years Series, and the rest of the introduction is probably hidden below.
Could you tell us about this mix - where and how did you record it, is there an ideal setting to listen to it?
This is a recording of a spontaneous last minute record listening session at home. It was recorded with two turntables and a mixer, and it became one smiley little psychedelic gem with some not yet released music, some studies of proto trip hop that never happened, lots of love and memories of the future. Ideal setting could be a walk with a head between headphones.
Having played for us a few times at Origins; from Micks Garage to Night Tales, and finally your All Night Long at NT’s Loft this December - have you had any standout moments?
I enjoyed all of them, every time was slightly different. A constant however was the fact that every Origins happened in great places with great people. I have fond memories of all my precious Origins, and I’m looking forward to experiencing that All Night Long December with you guys.
Where has been your favourite place to play or what was your most interesting gig, and for what reason?
I’ve played in many nice places, met people with whom I stayed in touch… It‘s impossible to choose just one. Or name just one reason. So I’d stick to Salon des Amateurs in Düsseldorf and 20/44 in Belgrade, as places with long histories of everything, close to my heart. There is The Gun in Hackney, with its hospitality, intimacy, knowledge, fun, and its FC… I better immediately stop. Impossible task.
As a long-term resident at Salon des Amateurs, what role has that played in shaping your sound? Is there anyone or anything else that inspires you musically?
Salon des Amateurs has been such an inspiring place since 2004. I‘m happy that I spent lots of nights there with Detlef Weinrich (Tolouse Low Trax) and was in the middle of vibrant something that led to friendships, exchanges, trust, fun with Lena Willikens, Gordon Pohl, Jan Schulte, and other dear people. In the Universe of the Salon labels like Themes For Great Cities and Offen happened. It’s difficult to describe this melting metapot of ideas and characters in just a few words. I don’t know if the Salon shaped my sound as such. It introduced me to fantastic, unknown worlds and it definitely shaped my confidence in friendship, inspiration, openness, exchange, collective, and power of curiosity (…) that created a space where my sound is coming from - whatever that „my“ sound is. It was like my anti-university.
We can’t wait for your all night long show this December and can’t think of anyone better to close out our 10 Year Series. What can we expect from the show? Do you have a particular approach to your sets or decide in the moment?
Expect anti show. The rest, the good time, we‘ll create together. Then we‘ll move on to the next 10 years.