A classically trained pianist, badass DJ and lovely person wrapped in one, Stockholm’s Delavas joined us at Jolene during our slow dance takeover. We had the honour of meeting Vladislava in Copenhagen to share booth with her, where she locked in and fed the floor with the kind of driving grooves we’re fond of. Her slow dance mix takes us to a spring-touched Berlin and a daydreamlike state, just in time for the weekend.
Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Vladislava. I’m currently based in Berlin and have been involved in Stockholm’s electronic scene for the past 5 to 6 years, mainly as a DJ and through various creative and event-related projects. I was also part of the team behind club NEU, where I worked as a booker, promoter, and night manager for 2 years. I recently graduated from my first year of the Music Production program at BIMM University Berlin and plan to continue my studies in both music production and business. I’m also doing an internship in Event Operations at one of Berlin’s oldest and most internationally recognised techno clubs, an opportunity I’m very grateful for.
What is your favourite destination?
Somewhere I haven’t been before, though I would love to go back to Morocco, Greece, Italy and Portugal again. I usually enjoy destinations with a sub-tropical climate.
Which record or moment started your musical journey?
In general, I’ve always listened to a lot of different music and still do: jazz, indie, old-school hip-hop, the classical music as I was schooled in this, and the Phil Collins and Sting tracks I grew up with as well. The Strokes came in during my teenage years, so did house music, techno and even psytrance as well from when I was 16. That was also when I started to go to raves and enjoy electronic music.
But the deeper dive into the kind of techno and house I feel aligned with today happened around the pandemic, through parties and raves in Stockholm, where people were playing vinyl from the electronic underground. From there, my taste kept moving towards more experimental, cinematic sounds and textures. These days, I appreciate complexity in sound while keeping a groove. And although I am quite specific about what I collect and play, I also believe a set should take freedom and not only follow one strict thread.
To answer your question: several moments in my life brought me to play behind the decks. It was an outcome of practising classical piano for many years, having musical knowledge, and enjoying the rave scene, which was a completely different world. I started collecting tracks when I was 20, trying to figure out where I would get energy and emotions from, and analysing which sounds I liked and didn’t in productions.
DJ-wise, it all started at Time Bar in Hornstull, Stockholm, where I had my first gig thanks to a dear friend of mine who unfortunately passed away a few years ago. He was a booker there back then and gave me a slot one evening. My curiosity is probably what kept me coming back. How events work, how people gather around sound, how they socialise, and how the energy gives something back to you. It’s quite therapeutic.
What is the best album you discovered recently?
I got introduced to the album ‘Open’ by The Necks, an Australian trio improvising minimal jazz. It’s amazing to listen through.
What was the mood when you created this mix?
It was very much a Berlin mood, haha, strolling in the streets while listening to some of these tracks and processing life events. I created this mix in my living room in Neukölln. I feel it tells a bit about a daydream, yet reminds me of being present in the moment, if that makes sense?
Is there a specific drink you prefer when dj-ing?
Pure vodka in a glass, no ice. No, I’m joking. I don’t drink too much alcohol nowadays, maybe one or two shots of something fun before playing, like an Italian liqueur or a classic Berliner Luft. During a set, I’d probably go for an Amaretto sour or something I haven’t tried from the house cocktail menu, but honestly, I’m just as happy with water or juice. If anything, no vodka in my drink, haha.
Is there one track in this set that holds a special story or that you would like to highlight and why?
There are two:
Cobblestone Jazz - Who’s Future?
First of all, great production, chords and melodies. This track gives me pure pleasure and it makes me think of positive things. It marks Berlin spring for me, when the weather turns warmer, the sun is out and there is more life on the streets. I took many walks after my work and classes just listening to this track and observing my environment.
DJ Spinna - All Niter
Same reason when it comes to the melody and the chords here, as well as the selected sounds. It gives room for dreaming a bit and to go along with the melodies when listening to this one. It tells a story and gives me an old school Berlin vibe, haha. I bet this one has been played a lot at clubs. I played it at Golden Gate once during my after-hours set; it was a lot of fun.
What are your favourite clubs in your new home, Berlin?
Sisyphos, Heideglühen, Berghain and Tresor. What I love most is the energy, the people, and how uniquely different each place feels. Sisyphos and Heideglühen both have that open, festival-like vibe, where people feel free and genuinely happy. Sisyphos is amazing because of its multiple dance floors and outdoor areas. You can move between completely different moods during the night and never get bored.
Heideglühen has this pure, old-school Chicago house vibe and a lovely atmosphere. It’s a great venue with a lot of nice decorations and details. There is always good music and I just love being there. The outdoor spaces are such a vibe in the summer, as well as they have great food in the kiosk!
Berghain is, of course, iconic, and it’s a very impressive venue. It’s a huge space and always fun to hang out in. The sound is great, the variety with the 2 different floors and the Garten is lovely too, and people are nice.
Tresor and the concert venue Kraftwerk are also amazing. I love the bunker downstairs at Tresor. And the Globus floor has amazing sound, for real. Kraftwerk is a large former power plant, which makes it a super interesting place to be around. It has this raw, industrial feeling, similar to Berghain, that I really like.
What would you like to do differently in the music industry?
Make sure that new and upcoming artists are treated better by major labels, and most importantly, paid fairly for their work and given proper credit. I’d definitely change how streaming platforms operate and create better regulations for what major labels are allowed to do.
Many independent artists grow by building audiences on social platforms, and that independent distribution is much easier today. At the same time, it forces some people onto those platforms, which can rob them of their time and creativity. I believe it can have a devastating effect when you put too much effort into the wrong thing and don’t enjoy it - when you have to chase crazy algorithms to succeed in the business instead of actually making music, progressing and developing your art. For some, though, it’s not a problem.
I also want to highlight that we always need to work towards a safer club culture, and create new experiences and creative concepts where people involved or attending can contribute somehow. Clubs should not only be spaces for consumption, but also places for people to experiment, connect through new ideas and interactive activities, and have new experiences.
Some clubs are still keeping full these days, and I’ve seen what makes them work so well. It’s the way the venue is built, the details, the entertainment, and what else you can do there. It’s also the people from the community who come together in these places and create a unique environment. The reputation, the word of mouth, a place that lets you be in the music and connect with others. The quality of the music matters too. You know what you get when you go there. The same goes for the sound, especially when people spend time and effort on creating a good soundsystem and a beautiful design. When a place is built with heart and passion, it shows in the result. I believe these are the main reasons why some places stay full.
We see many clubs becoming emptier these days. Beyond the economic conditions, we might also be lacking some of the original mentality and purpose behind club culture. Looking back historically, scenes have grown through experimentation, community and people organising around a shared vision. Even if times are different today, many of the same challenges remain.
Where can we experiment with new solutions? What resources are needed? What is interesting to us?
Personally, I try to make sure that the art I create and release makes a positive difference in our surrounding environment. I’m still figuring out how I can have a positive effect and what I can do or contribute - alone or with a community - while taking my own limitations into consideration for now. Either way, I make sure to stay involved and up to date, supporting other artists and cultural projects as much as I can.
Tracklist
Kenneth Graham - Sunburn
Kings of Brazil - Dig a Dub
RDS - Slappy Whappy Dub
Earth Deuley - Black House
Cobblestone Jazz - Who’s Future?
zvukbroda - wozy
Luna Ludmila - Vibe Thang
Electronic Data Processing - Dancing In The Woods
D’Julz - Dusty Groove
Falko Brocksieper - Covert Action
DJ Spinna - All Niter
Route 8 - Modify Your Music
2D.NAME - RMBL
Shadowpeople - Intimacy
Len Lewis - King Kong
stbr x Davy - Hello [at]
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