Locals: HORI Interview

Who are you? How old are you?

My name is Arpad H aka Hori. 41 years old. Born in ex Yugoslavia to Hungarian parents. An old school Dj and promoter with a passion for new deeper experimental underground sounds

How many months/ years have you been Djing / producing?

Started putting mixes together around 1997, learned beatmatching around 1999 on turntables and the rest is history. I have been around for a long time, I guess my first rave anthem was Moby – I’am feeling so real when I was 8 or 9.
 

Mention an artist that inspired you to become a DJ/producer?

The biggest influence on me I guess were the older generation of local djs and producers in my town Subotica, Serbia who showed the way to us younger guys and girls.  Back then we didn’t have social media had to rely on friends who could cross the border and bring us magazines, tapes, vinyls and lots of information. From the international artists who were role models are to this day are.  (The Belleville 3, Acquaviva, Hawtin, Cj Bolland, Speedy J, Mills, Vath, Pascal FEOS,Advent and The British Murder Boys)

Is there a local artist that you look up to and love to see play at events?

When arrived to Malta in 2016 I was stunned how diverse the scene is on this tiny islan, so many groups and talented individuals. Would be hard to pick one. If I have to I would show my respect to the older generation who paved the way for the younger ones. 

What skills do you think DJs need to be successful?

Nowadays? Everyone has its own vision about it. For me, DJ has to be able to educate the dance-floor with new music and mixing techniques, to love and respect the crowd and community, to know Electronic Music history and to be open for other genres. Technical skill can come after. 

How do you stay up to date with the latest music trends?

I don’t necessarily play only new music, always digging in the past for music I might have missed. Also, not necessarily play trendy, like to be different. I usually follow trends online and from producer friends.

What would you say is the most rewarding part of being a DJ?

 The biggest reward would be the sound of electronic music tribalism, when everyone just shuts their eyes, stops talking, puts away their phone on the dance-floor and moves together with the Nowadays it is quite hard, challenging to achieve this but when it’s done: That’s it!