The fast-approaching 15th anniversary party of the Mannequin Records label was a motivation for us to catch up with Dtek and ask him about his relationship with this label as well as his feelings towards our domestic music scene.
Have you already performed with Marcel Dettmann or Alessandro Adriani, or will this be your first contact with these artists on stage?
I already had the opportunity to play with Marcel Dettmann. The first time took place a long time ago in Krakow and those were the times when such a booking in Poland was a huge event. I remember great excitement, both mine and the audience’s. Just the mere fact that Marcel slipped somewhere in the background of the DJ before his set caused an ovation on the dance floor :O
Have you had any experience with Mannequin Records before?
Of course! I play records from this label, and my secret, dirty weapon is, among others: EP by Fallbeil – “The Healer”. I really like and appreciate the diversity of releases on Mannequin.
Warsaw is one of the cities chosen by this label to celebrate its fifteen-year publishing history. In your opinion, what challenges does this city face in the European arena in terms of the competitiveness of its club culture?
Warsaw, compared to other European capitals, has a slightly smaller and less diversified offer, but I think it is very competitive – especially due to the prices, which are still quite low for guests from Western Europe. In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing the Warsaw scene still come from the local backyard, where various entities operating within the electronic music scene/market are struggling with the economic crisis. After the pandemic, the audience largely left clubs, and those who still participate in events have to significantly limit their expenses. Personally, I sense a time of strong transformation of the scene, a kind of reset.
Do you have an idea of what you will play at the Mannequin Records party on December 9?
It will certainly be an eclectic set, but the details always become clear in my head at the last minute!
How do you see 2024 when it comes to organizing club events and festivals in Poland? There are opinions that this will be a difficult moment for many promoters.
As I mentioned earlier, we are facing a crisis. On the one hand, the economy needs time to return to at least a level similar to that before the pandemic, and on the other hand, the ongoing marketization of the scene, with a multitude of large, spectacular events that drain our potential rather than release it. International players are slowly appearing here, which is clear proof that it is possible to make money from this culture in Poland, but this culture will gradually weaken if the eyes and ears of the audience turn even more towards large productions.
Tell us briefly about your plans for 2024.
I have a lot of work ahead of me on the Up To Date Festival, which is being prepared again in a new formula than before for the period from May 30 to June 2, the development of a new, different version of the FOMO_ project, involvement in the international Immersions project and further, constant research on how Dtekk will find its place on the contemporary scene as a DJ:)
Thanks for this short but good conversation and see you on December 9 at Praga Centrum!
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