Name: Dario Brkic aka Airod
Nationality: French
Occupation: DJ, producer
Current Release: Airod's “Kiss Girl” is out now. Grab it here. 
 
If you enjoyed this Airod interview and would like to know more about his music, upcoming live dates and new releases, visit him on Instagram, and Soundcloud.  



What were some of the musical experiences which planted a seed for your interest in electronic music?

I started playing the guitar when I was 9 years old and the piano around the age of 12. I've always loved playing instruments, same with beatboxing. I was a huge fan from the age of 12 or 13 until I was about 18, haha!

However, what really introduced me to the world of electronic music were Daft Punk. I used to listen to them on repeat on my way to school. Later on, I discovered podcasts from Sébastien Benett and Joachim Garraud, who were major names at the time. Their music was somewhere between tech house and minimal techno, and I absolutely loved those sounds.

Then, when I was in high school, around the age of 15/16, I stumbled upon "My Name Is Skrillex" on YouTube. Back then, it only had around 50,000 views, and that was the defining moment when I knew I wanted to start producing music.



I heard sounds I had never experienced before, and I wanted to recreate them.

That’s when I immediately jumped into Fruity Loops and started my journey!

Most genres of music make use of electronic production means. What does the term “electronic music” mean today, would you say?

For me, electronic music today reflects a fusion of all music genres. It can range from techno to EDM or breakbeat.

However, when we talk about electronic music, I can’t help but think of the pioneers like Kraftwerk, who, in my opinion, truly define what electronic music is.



I grew up mainly listening to electronic music but have of lately, along with others I've spoken to, been somewhat disappointed by most new releases. I'd be curious about your own view on this, the “creative health” of the scene and potential reasons for the disappointment.

I think that, like in all fields today, and in my opinion, it's a shame. Music, in general, reflects the society we live in. Everything moves so fast, we overconsume, we get bored quickly, and we’re less patient.

I believe that over time, artists have had to adapt to change and technology. Twenty years ago or more, being (or being called) an artist was something very exclusive, even niche. Artists were put on a pedestal, and people didn’t really understand what they were doing or how they were doing it. It was a field for experts, and they had the time to perfect their craft. People were eagerly waiting, ready to savour every second of an upcoming single.

Today, with new technologies, so many things are accessible to anyone (which is not necessarily a bad thing), but it has inevitably created an overwhelming amount of content. More content means more choices, more distractions, and more competition. As a result, there is an increased focus on productivity, quantity is often prioritized over quality, out of fear of being forgotten.

Personally, I think it’s important to find the right balance, to keep up with the times without losing yourself in the process.

What were some of the recent releases, or performances of electronic music that left a deep impact on you?

For me, being an artist means offering a more or less unique experience that truly reflects who you are. I've always been deeply impacted by Daft Punk, especially their light show and pyramid at Coachella in 2006 when they presented their Alive show.



It was a real eye-opener for me, and in my mind, it represented the ultimate level of what an electronic music artist could offer to their audience.

Recently, I feel that Anyma has managed to reinvent and elevate that concept of a 'unique experience' by incorporating new technologies, and that really left a lasting impression on me.



Where do most of your inspirations to create come from – rather from internal  impulses or external ones? Which current social / political / ecological or other developments make you feel like you need to respond as an artist?

I can't really explain it, but inspiration can come from anything and everything. It could be the sound of a passing train while I'm driving, blending with the rhythm of my car going over a speed bump at the same moment. It creates a loop in my head, and that gives me inspiration, a starting point to build on something later. So, everyday sounds can definitely be a source of inspiration.

Personally, I believe that as artists, our only duty is to take the listener on a journey and help them forget everything else. I try my best not to be influenced by the current state of the world; instead, I focus on creating something that allows people to escape and disconnect from it all. That’s exactly what I wanted to do with "Kiss Girl", step off the beaten path and introduce fresh, new sounds.

How much potential for something “new” is there still in electronic music? What could this “new” look like?

I think exploration in electronic music is a cycle. There’s still room to create 'new' things by blending styles, making increasingly hybrid tracks, and fusing genres.

However, when it comes to enjoyable melodies and rhythms, I believe we've already explored a lot. What will allow us to continue evolving and discovering more is the combination of everything we already know.

What were some of the recent tools you bought, used, or saw/read about which changed your perspective about production, performing, and making music?

I've used VSTs like Massive, Hive, and Sylenth for a long time.

Recently, I purchased Serum, which has been a game-changer in terms of sound design and the types of synths you can create, whether for leads or basses. In today's digital and futuristic era, I feel this VST perfectly fits the current sound landscape. I've been using it in almost all of my productions for the past year now.

Do you think that there is a limit to what can be done in sound design – and what defines these limits?

In my opinion, sound design is something unique and very special, it's also highly subjective, with no set rules. You can create endlessly by combining effects in infinite ways.

For me, being an artist isn't about following the rules you might have learned in sound engineering school; it's about trying everything without limits. The only limits that exist are a lack of creativity.

In as far as it is applicable to your work, how would you describe the interaction between your music and DJing/DJ culture and clubs?  

I've always loved playing my tracks, even though I sometimes get tired of them. The audience often asks me to play specific songs from my discography, and it’s always a great feeling. If it fits well with the vibe, I’ll give them a little signal and play the track right after. Most of the time, they go crazy and are really happy that I responded to their request, it’s amazing to see them enjoy their favourite track in a club atmosphere.

When I’m producing, I always imagine myself playing the track during my DJ sets. I think it’s super important to have that mindset to give the track the right intensity. I really try to find the right balance between making a track enjoyable to listen to while working out, driving, etc., and making it impactful enough to get people moving on the dancefloor.

How, would you say are your live performances and your recording projects connected at the moment? How do they mutually influence and feed off each other?  

During my DJ sets, I mainly play my own tracks. For me, it’s the best way to connect with the audience, especially when they recognize the songs.

I’m also working on a light show, which involves months of preparation. It’s done step by step, and I have a light technician who joins me on certain dates to provide the most authentic experience possible for the people who come to see me. The lights are synchronized with the sound, and I feel it adds real value.

Every time is a unique experience, and I love being able to translate all of that into something memorable for my audience.

Even if AI will not entirely replace human composition, it looks set to have a significant impact on it. What does the terms composing/producing mean in the era of AI, do you feel?

For me, AI is an incredible tool that, in my opinion, serves primarily as support. It helps us with certain tasks, but I truly believe that AI will never be able to capture or convey the same intention, emotions, or intensity as a human composer.

To me, producing or composing doesn’t change in definition, it may be easier now, but it doesn’t alter the intention behind it.

Are there approaches, artists, festivals, labels, spaces or anyone/-thing else out there who you feel deserve a shout out for taking electronic music into the future?

I'd like to give a special mention to labels like Drumcode, which has been around for decades and has consistently brought electronic and techno music to a wider audience.

Today, I believe Exhale and KNTXT are among the biggest ambassadors of modern electronic music, pushing it towards the future through their releases and shows.

There's also an artist who, in my opinion, has taken electronic music to a global level, almost bringing it into pop culture, Anyma. With his visually stunning shows, he adds an unprecedented dimension to live performances, much like Eric Prydz, who delivers extraordinary and futuristic audiovisual experiences. It's truly inspiring.