His unique style combines Hardtechno with a mixture of dark, groovy and driving Techno. He spins his records on the biggest events around the world, his music has been released on major labels and he runs his label ‘Beast Music Recordings’ with much passion and dedication. In this exclusive interview DJ Ogi tells us about his work, his experiences and how proud he is to be part of the amazing global Techno scene.
Hi Ogi, to kick off this interview can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My real name is Dalibor Ogorevac, I am a DJ, producer, promoter and one of the founders of Beast Music records. I live in the city of Rijeka on the Croatian coast.
We know very little about the electronic music scene in Croatia, can you tell us about your first steps in this exciting world and how you managed to get yourself heard?
I first got in touch with electronic music in 1992 when a friend handed me a tape with ‘Detroit Techno’. Shortly after that I discovered ‘Rave’ music, a style which was more Hardcore, harder Techno, Hardtrance and Acid. In a short period I became a big fan of this music. That same year the first big rave party in Croatia was held in Zagreb City. It was very hard organising events of any kind at that ti me because of the war that was going on. My first rave was ‘Future Shock’ in Zagreb City in 1994, visiting this event made me addicted to the music and I decided that I wanted to be a DJ. I started buying records and I managed to teach myself the skills on very old equipment.
That same summer I got a job as a DJ in ‘Club 82′ on the island Pag in Croatia. Everything went well and in 1995 I organized my first Techno party in that same Club and from there on everything started rolling for me. I got gigs at various Croatian Techno parties and got the chance to do a radio show with electronic music with my friend Rene. My main style was Detroit Techno during this period.
My top 10 classics are:
1. Jeff Mills - Step To Enchantment, AXIS 004
2. Planetary Assault Systems - In From The Night, PEACE FROG 039
3. Emanuel Top - Acid Phase, ATTACK 003
4. Adam Beyer - Patches, PLANET RHYTHM UK LP 001
5. Joey Beltram - SetUps, LOGIC & TRESOR 034
6. Richie Hawtin - 005, 8068 PLUS 8
7. Jeff Mills - The Bells, PURPOSE MAKER 002
8. Norton D. & Rexanthony - I am Dracula, S.O.B. SMX 180/24
9. Jeff Mills - LA Force, PURPOSE MAKER 003
10. Simone Stokoes - Heights, PRO 004
So it is safe to say that getting the job at Club 82 was really important for the start of your career. Do you have any tips for upcoming DJ’s?
When you are a young and unknown DJ, the best way to promote yourself is to record a cd with your mix and give it to partypeople and promoters. Of course it is also very important to show your best skills when doing your live DJ set at a party. When you really are passionate about it and give it loads of practice the result will come eventually! I have to say that producing your own music can be very important for your career.
We can regard you as the pioneer of the Techno scene in your hometown Rijeka and one of the biggest supporters of the scene in your country, what can you tell us about it?
Yes, you could say this, but I do have to mention my close friend Rene, who helped me with the first steps in creating the Techno scene of Rijeka. Together we started the ‘Energetica’ team in 1995. The mission of Energetica was to promote Techno music in our country. Today Eneregtica is formerly known as the ‘Association for the promotion of electronic music’. We also did a radio show called ‘Energetica Music’ on the Crikvenica radio station.
During that period Techno wasn’t popular in my city so it really was hard work to get the people interested in this music. After Rene and me did a party in Pula City and lost a lot of money, Rene was so disappointed he quit with DJ-ing and doing parties. But I have to say that he kept supporting me in what I did. So from there on I had to fight alone for Techno and the scene in my city.
Unfortunately promoters and clubs weren’t keen on Techno during that period as House and Trance were far more popular. So getting gigs in clubs was very difficult for me. But I was determined and I managed to find some local bars doing Techno. You know, for me the most important thing was that I did what I loved so much, living for Techno.
In the summer of 2000 me and some friend threw our first Techno open air party ‘Exotica’ on a beach near Rijeka. After that summer I got a job at ‘The Fun Academy’ in my city as a manager and I changed program which of course meant more Techno 
You have played in many different countries, doing the biggest festivals and the hottest clubs! Your life must be crazy, wicked and full of memorable experiences!
Yes you are right, DJ life is great! It’s lots of fun and full of positive energy at the parties all around the world. Some countries have a really nice and strong scene, I think that at the moment the Spain Techno scene really rocks, the crowd over there is really crazy! And this year I played in Kiev, Ukraine for the first time, and it was amazing. I can also say that Slovenian, Brasilian, Belgian, and Czech party people really really rock! In Croatia it is different but I have do to say that the Techno crowd in my city is really cool.
Do all your bookings go through Marco Remus’ Stereo70 agency?
Yes my bookings go through Stereo70. I know Marco from way back, we share the same vision and get along very well so we made the deal that my bookings go through his agency. I am very proud to be part of such a great agency!
You are not only a respected DJ, but also very successful as a producer, can you tell us about the ‘producing’ side of your life?
I started to produce music in 2003. Being a DJ with years of experience, it is very logical to expand your carreer as a producer, it’s like evolution. My first own release was on the German Techno label Giant and Dwarf in 2004. I make music on a PC with different programs and plug-ins, for me it isn’t a matter of how you make music, the final product is what it is all about.
Last year I also started doing a Live P.A. I work with Ableton Live using 2 UC 33e midi controllers and a MK-225 C keaborg controller with a Korg Mini Kaos Pad for FX. I play live with samples from my tracks. Live P.A. is something different then a DJ set. Now, don’t get me wrong, I really love DJ-ing, but doing a live P.A. is just another dimension because you are really producing live while you perform.
In 2005 you started Beast Music Records together with your partner in crime Daniel Gloomy. With 9 releases of the finest Hardtechno so far we can say that the ‘Beast’ is unstopable! Tell us about how you guys managed to make this label such a success?
Dany and I go back many years, we are like Techno brothers with the same vision. One day we decided to express our style on vinyl and Beast Music Records was born. As you said we already have our 9th release out, it is various artists EP with young and talented producer Lexis and me. For nr 10 we’ve planned something special, so you better be prepared
How would you describe the style of your productions?
My style has always been Techno, but when my career started it was more Detroit and progressive Techno. These days it is Hardtechno with a mixture of dark, groovy and driving Techno. It all depends on my mood when I am poducing.
This brings us to your track Monstrum, we are very pleased with the fact that you will appear on beatboost worldsampler part 3. We know this guaranteed party slammer will fill many floors!
I am very pleased to be on the 3th release of the worldsamplers with my track Monstrum (which means monster in Croatian). When I am in my studio producing music I always imagine the crowd in front of me and think about what their reaction will be. Monstrum is a dark Hardtechno track with old school elements, the main base is the massive bassline with driving rhythmics and dark percusion. The breaks are short with an upcoming old school sound. I hope it will please many dance floors, can’t wait!
Internet became a very important promotion tool for artists and their music. Can you tell us about your point of view regarding internet, music, fans and artists?
Internet is very important for promotion indeed, it is like a revolution when you’re looking at it from the promotional side. As an artist you can meet a lot of people and you can see how important you are for the scene. At the moment I am addicted to Myspace which is one of best things that ever happened on the internet.
What can we expect of DJ Ogi in the near future?
This year I am preparing 15 new releases on different labels, check my Myspace for more details about these releases. And if you have the time and live nearby, come to Dance Valley the 12th of July, I will be playing on the Stero70 floor!
Ok Ogi we are getting to the end of the interview, thank you very much for your time.
Thank you too, and thanks for giving me the possibility to be on your cool label!
You are more then welcome, is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I am happy to be part of this global Techno scene! For me Techno is the best thing that’s happened to the world’s music scene! You can feel all of this on parties where our crowd is amazing, full of energy and love.
IT’S GREAT PERFORMING FOR YOU! THANKS!
