Plazma’s long-time resident DJ and producer MITOD today drops his newest EP “ORBIT“ at the start of another season. With songs both crushing and uplifting, it includes collaborations with spectacular feminine DJs, most notably Hamandra and Nikki Sig.
Tell us about your first DJ gigs, please. How did you approach them and how do you look back on them with hindsight?
My first ever gig was spontaneous and came up out of nowhere – I was out and about walking the streets of my sunny hometown Silute over in Lithuania with my good old friend Gediminas aka (Oscar Zillini) and we were talking that we should organize some sort of a party somewhere in town just to play music have good time showcase and enjoy ourselves. We sat down in the park for a minute and I saw this huge building in front of me and an idea hit me straight away to go up and speak with the people In charge up there. So we went up, had a chat and we got this huge hallway space to organize something good. So over the next few days, we got very simple decks, a few lights speakers, and a smoke machine, nothing special. We set up everything and did some very simple and fast advertisements. In the end, we were able to blow the roof off that building so many people came and danced all night long… I remember that I had no music prepared at that time, just a big bag of CDs and I played whatever I had on my mind… It turned out memorable and amazing. I will never forget that ever in my life… I think the best things come in life when you don’t put much effort into planning everything out.
How has your music evolved since the beginning? How would you describe your development as an artist and the transition toward your sound?
Hmmmmm… it’s very hard for me to tell about how my music is evolving. This question would be more relevant to people who are listening to my music.
As an artist, I am never 100% happy with my final mixes because it’s just the way it is… I think every single artist would agree on this with me. I think the main point in music production is to always create your sound, always try to bring something of your own, and never use samples or something that has been already made for you. Always create your own. It might not sound perfect, but it will be all you, and nobody will be able to re-create or copy what you did out there. Always keep evolving your sound and trust your ear.
What were some of the artists, technologies, and clubs/events that changed your perspective on what DJing could be?
Simple answer… in this day and age there are no limits in Dj’ing – you can do whatever you want, just use your imagination. There are plenty of tools, and software gadgets to help you achieve your desired result or express yourself as an artist. Never follow any trends – go your own way.
Composers and songwriters combine notes and sounds. DJs combine entire songs. Can you tell us a bit about how your work as a DJ has influenced your view of music, your way of listeningand perhaps also, if applicable, your work as a producer?
I think emotions are the biggest part that plays and influence your view in music production or Dj set = your emotion and your mood determine what track you going to produce or what Dj set you are going to play… the biggest and hardest thing to do Is to connect with your audience really we are all different but option if this can be achieved then there are no boundaries.
Your first EP “Take one” on Plazma Records was released in 2015, with many podcasts as well. Tell us about your newest EP. Can you explain what this means to you and what was the inspiration behind this new release?
Everything that I did for Plazma Records I did with my heart in it so all the work I did Is special to me. The Orbit EP is a mixture of deep flow feelings in my mind with the touch of light and happiness and when you combine the two remixes from female artists that bring extra spice to it which I am very happy with and I think overall that will be a great release.
Who are your biggest influences and idols and why? Do you have any? Are you a super fan of anyone?
My biggest idol to this day and always will be going forward till I am on this planet is my fellow artist and a good friend Qugas – this person is special. He always believed in me more than I was believing in myself, he did so much for me as an artist – helped me to evolve and gave me all the advice that he could to help me… Because of him, my music is now released on so many record labels and I can produce my music at all. I will be always thankful to him for that and I’ll be his biggest fan till the end.
Have you got any collaborators – who have you enjoyed working with the most, and is there anyone else that you’d love to work with in the future?
The Highmode duo project with Qugas was very promising, but sadly, sometimes things don’t work out properly (sure I would love to bring that back someday, and I think that would be very Interesting).
What do you want to do in the future and how do you feel at this point in your career?
I don’t know what the future holds. I’ll keep doing what I do… I love music. I love music production. I love Dj’ing. I am not chasing fame or money, I just do what I love to do and the future will tell what’s ahead.
As far as we know you are currently living in Ireland. What about clubbing in this country?
Unfortunately, Ireland has a very small techno/minimal scene. It’s very hard to express yourself as an artist if you love this style of music. There is a small number of events going there and there but nothing major.. Irish people have very little interest in techno or minimal music so it is very difficult to put your name out but sure you can always try… it’s better to try and fail than not to try at all.
Tell us a bit about where and how you’re looking for music that excites you and music that will work in a set?
My main music sources are promos that I receive by email and of course all the other major platforms for music like beatport.com bandcamp.com there was another great website called whatpeopleplay.com but unfortunately, the website went out of the business which is very sad. When looking for music just have an idea what sound and atmosphere you are looking for and stick to it and then everything should come together really nicely.
I’ve always wondered: How is it possible for DJs to memorize so many tracks? How do you store tracks in your mind – traditionally as grooves + melodies + harmonies or as colors, energy levels, shapes?
Before I use to prepare my sets all the time every single detail use to be planned out but with time I started to understand that this is not the way to go… It kills all the vibe and it gets boring for me as a DJ because you’ll go to know what’s gonna happen next….so I came up with the idea to do not plan my set just get a bunch of tracks In my playlist and try to make something out of it. That way whatever you do it will be for that moment and for the people who are with you at that moment and this will never be recreated and it will be special. It’s the same principle as in music production – you create something of your own just on a bigger scale.
How do you handle song requests?
If you are a real artist you shouldn’t be getting any song requests. People should come and listen to you and look at you as an act. Music is just a tool to represent yourself to the crowd so if the crowd is right they shouldn’t be asking – they should be listening.
For the last one – name three songs that resonate with you the most recently?
1. Mind Against – Gravity (original mix).
2. Deepbass & Ness – Dimensions (original mix).
3. CHPTR – XV (original mix).
Three real bangers check it out.