AVĒN.
What matters is that feeling.
AVĒN on finding a set’s direction, sharing the decks and staying connected to his own sound.
Aleksandar Vuković · AVĒN
For AVĒN, a set begins with a feeling rather than a genre. The Belgrade DJ talks about the first hour that sets the direction, an all-day session at Macao Beach, and the give-and-take of playing with Chris Chrōma. Away from the decks, short breaks help him return to music without burning out.
AVĒN is Serbian DJ Aleksandar Vuković. His selections move between melodic techno, indie dance, progressive and peak-time techno, following emotion and drive while responding to the crowd.
Feeling before genre
Your music moves between melodic techno, indie dance and peak-time techno. What makes a track feel like AVĒN to you, whichever direction it takes?
For me, it starts with a track making me feel something deeply, whether that's emotion or a strong sense of drive. I might save an emotional track for a special moment, or put together a sequence of tracks that share a particular energy. The genre isn't what decides it. It could be indie dance, progressive or even peak-time techno. What matters is that feeling.
The first hour
You shared an all-day session at Macao Beach. How does having that much time change the way you choose the next track?
For me, the most important part of any set, no matter how long it is, is the first hour or so, when the vibe starts to form. I get a feel for the crowd, what they like and which tracks they react to. That gives me a sense of direction. From there, I flow with what's happening, and the set moves through different phases. In an all-day set, adapting to the crowd is still important, but so is keeping my own sound throughout.
For me, short breaks make a big difference.
A shared direction
In your post about the b2b at KULT, you share a few moments behind the decks. How do you find a shared direction when the other DJ takes an unexpected turn?
I've always felt comfortable responding to whichever direction the other DJ takes. A good example is playing with Chris Chrōma. Our different styles complemented each other. When the energy needed to come down, he would play softer tracks, which left room for me to come in with something stronger and lift it again. It worked the other way around too.
Room to reset
You wrote that passion fuels innovation and discipline creates success. What habit helps you keep working on music when inspiration is missing?
When inspiration isn't there, I work out, listen to music and step away from what I'm working on for a bit. Ideas usually come back naturally, along with the urge to get back to work. For me, short breaks make a big difference. They help me avoid burning out.
Belgrade’s potential
What is happening in Belgrade's electronic scene that you would like more people outside Serbia to discover?
I think Belgrade's electronic scene has a lot of potential. For me, realizing that potential takes a lot of work, both from the community as a whole and from each of us individually. That's what I'd like people outside Serbia to recognize.
AVĒN
Interview by email · Editorial and image art direction: SCENE:ID. Courtesy of AVĒN