Repeat after Mr.Z

As you get older (and wiser hopefully), you know how rare it gets to listen to decent music that you love out there, from djs that not only know what they’re doing, but also don’t just select all the hits for the chicks to sway and try to maybe teach something to the audience, pass on a sound that is worth passing on to others and share what’s in their heart in the form of notes and melodies. Since I’m well aware of the fact that a monkey who can cook is less unusual than a dj’s selections that can spin your head wondering “what just happened?”, I couldn’t but appreciate the first time I listened to Mr.Z's sounds somewhere in Athens not so long ago (no, this ain’t a “once upon a time story”).

After diggin’ a little bit about him, it didn’t take me long to find out that he’s a vinyl lover, a rare-tunes collector, a web-radio broadcaster, a committed music blogger, a well-educated dj and recently a producer, since his new album has just been released from B-Otherside records. To cut a long story short, Mr. Z isn’ t just another dj who digs faders and raises his hands above the crowd as if he’s going to bless the "humble" beneath him. He’s revolved his whole life around music in a plain and pure way. And this calls for a warm-hearted applause. Clap-clap Mr.Z.

I'll help you get to know him.

New album in town: “Epanalipsi” (Repetition). Spread the news and tell us about it, how did you put it together, what you love about it, what would you like others to love...
Mr.Z: As far as the emotional part of the album is concerned, it is the result of the need I had to let it all out, good and bad stuff that I kept inside and made me tremble through the past year. On the practical side, this album was already complete as a concept, since all 16 tracks constitute a strong-funny-wild-crazy and melancholic story with a beginning and an end. “Epanalipsi” was created between Athens and Lefkada, including sounds that have to do with these two places. I guess what I love about it is the honesty of the things it deals with as well as the honesty of the things that created it. Well, you‘ll be the judge in the end.

How would you characterize its sound?
Mr.Z: I don’t think you can categorize it. My love for several music genres with the same sense made me "complicate" the final result. So you’ll be able to listen to music with a taste of ‘60s and ‘70s cinema, bossa nova, spoken word, beats with lotta reverb, '70s groove, atmospheric pop and lots of playful stuff.

A music discovery (album, track or artist) that made you give yourself a thumbs up for finding it.
Mr.Z: I’ve got lots of them, but I’ll tell you about the first one that comes to my mind. It’s the greek 45rpm Christos and Nasia – “Proti fora” (“First time”). An awesome and unique piece of the erotic/cinematic genre, almost a sexadelica greek track. Music for the sunset along with prose. Totally unknown and beautiful!

Do you share every nice tune that comes in your way or do you keep some for you and your loved ones?
Mr.Z: I share everything. One by one.

Lamest line you‘ve ever heard while djing.
Mr.Z: “Can you play something more… danceable?”

Favorite fresh producer.
Mr.Z: Ta – ku.

The tune that sends your finger to the repeat button these days.
Mr.Z: “Detroit part 1'' by Shigeto.

*Check out Mr.Z's brand new release here and here, take a look at his blog here and catch his tunes every Monday (18:00-20:00 GMT +2) at paranoise webradio. Oh, and wish him luck with his new exciting stuff.

info:
Mr.Z - Epanalipsi
B-Otherside Records 2013