Interview with Anastas Kitanovski

Who is Anastas? Tell us a bit about yourself.

First, I’d like to thank the VCS team for reaching out for this interview, it’s always amazing being part of the monthly magazine. Let’s dive into my world for a short time! 

I’m a 24 years old producer/DJ from Skopje, Macedonia. Music has always been part of my life since I grew up, and I’m highly grateful that it has stayed with me till this day. On the other hand, I’m graduating and getting my bachelor diploma in Electrical Engineering, which is the non creative side of my character.

When and how did you first get interested in music?

The first burst of interest has been since I was a young kid, listening to my dad’s vinyl tape from Kraftwerk (the pioneers of electronic music). Going back to these days, discovering electronic music where it first started and the way it sounded has left a huge impression and interest in me.

How did you decide to become a DJ, and what was that process like?

I never really decided with a clear intention, it just naturally became an interest and passion which was something I started to feel when I was 14. Ever since then, the spark, the obsession and the excitement for creating music and DJing has been growing.

How would you describe your music and style? What music genres inspire you?

The music I personally love to create and play during my gigs is a blendfulness of melodies, interesting grooves, captivating basslines and vocals. If I have to qualify it and put it into a genre, it’s called melodic techno & house, but the nomenclature it’s changing rapidly these days. The genre that inspires me mostly is the genre I personally create and play, but I can also get inspired so easily by different styles, to name a few: organic house, indie dance, progressive house. 

What is your most memorable moment on stage?

I’d have to say my performance at D-Fest this year was such a nice gig with an amazing crowd and people just feeling and dancing to the music.

What do you consider when creating your DJ sets? How do you shape your sets according to your audience?

I always take into consideration the venue I’m playing, and it always depends on the vibe. If the place is closed (such as a club), I can go a bit different than if it’s open air.

I also love to experiment, and try out new things and blend different genres. I feel that the audience wants to go on a journey through the whole set, and it’s the DJ’s job to take them on that journey. So, I always start playing slower bpm, something which has chill vibes, and then take it from there, building the whole atmosphere.

What are your thoughts on the impact of technology on music as a DJ? Where do you think DJing technology is heading?

I personally think that AI and the rapid improvement and growth of technology will shape the music industry in a way that we are still not aware of. As far as the DJ sets and live shows, there has been a great advancement in the visuals, and more people start going to live shows just because there is a full experience, one example is the Sphere in Las Vegas.

Although AI is already doing crazy things, such as creating a track in 6 seconds from scratch, imitating vocals of great artists, I still think that nothing could replace the human voice, touch and feeling when it comes down to creating art. So, it’s only left to use it as a tool to be more creative. 

Do you have any other music projects besides DJing? For example, production or remix work?

Yes, I’m also a producer. Have been making music for almost 7 years now, and the style which drives me and I love creating is melodic house & techno.

Have you performed in different venues both nationally and internationally? What differences have you noticed between these venues?

Yes, I have, this summer I performed at a few places in Skopje, and across Macedonia as well. Also, earlier this year I had a little tour across the Balkans, and performed in Sarajevo and Pristina. I feel that each venue has its own story and different vibe, and the music just contributes to that vibe, making it feel more alive.

What advice would you give to new DJs or young musicians who want to enter this field?

I don’t consider myself to give advice, but a few things I’d love to share is that you really have to love the thing you’re doing. If there is no love and passion throughout the journey, it wouldn’t come as real and it wouldn’t have any meaning or so. Another thing is that it takes a lot of time and work, consistent perseverance and patience. Also, having a well defined goal is super important, and being real with yourself about the goal.

How do you connect with your audience as a DJ? What are the essential qualities of a good DJ in your opinion?

I love to just take a glimpse at the crowd at moments and to interact with them in any possible way. I feel that a huge part of being a DJ is just reading the crowd, knowing what they want and giving them just more of that.

It’s a journey where there is a huge exchange of energy, and the more you give them, the more they give it back to you. As far as essential qualities, I think that having a well prepared music is super important, but what is more important is to feel the crowd and know which track to play at a certain moment. Another thing is a great set of skills when it comes down to mixing, which is the technical part one must know. 

What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your DJ career, and how have you overcome them?

One challenge I can share is the challenge of playing my own music, and seeing the reaction from the crowd in real time. It really speaks for the music itself, and seeing how it works on the dancefloor. I think being both a DJ and producer is a blessing because the things that get created in my studio come to life when I perform, and seeing that happening is truly a blessing. So I don’t really know if it’s a challenge, maybe the challenge is making the people dance with my own music, that’s for sure.

What future projects are you planning? What are your career aspirations?

As far as it goes for the future, I have made a lot of music and I’m sending it over to record labels so that the music gets officially signed, it’s a bit of a long process that really takes time, but it really pays off in the end. My career aspirations have always been to learn, grow and get better as an artist. Everything else would just come naturally. I feel that it’s a never ending process.

Do you think the artistic side of DJing is more important than the technical skills, or vice versa? Why?

Yes, I personally feel that the artistic side and artist’s story is way more important than the technical skills (the DJing itself), because at the end of the day it’s the story and the art that people really buy into.

Emre Aydan