InterviewsScene
In a very centralised country like Croatia, where 25% of the population lives in the capital, we are always glad to hear when other cities and regions grow their scenes. In the past couple of years, we noticed a serious rise of the number of events and happenings in Osijek, the heart of the Slavonia region, delivering various interesting projects, club nights, DJs, and producers.
One of the people who is a sure constant in the city is definitely Goran Kolak, known by the stage name DJGK, a producer, DJ, and label head famous for his dynamic, groove-driven approach to techno and house music. As a long-term resident of Osijek’s iconic club Epic, the past decade has marked another two projects – his record label Rave Your Soul, which he founded with Marin Kuprešak and event series WARM, which we talked about last spring, along with the co-founder Karla Močković.
In anticipation of his WARM x Rejvitalizacija all-nighter to be held tomorrow at Aquarius Zagreb, we kicked off the conversation with the roots of the Slavonian scene and the beginning of his career, while comparing the clubbing in Osijek then and now.
“My beginnings on the scene go back to the early 2000s, when I started going to techno parties. I actually started as a really passionate raver, but at the same time, also as a huge music enthusiast and record explorer straight from the beginning of this journey.”, DJGK remembered.
In his opinion, the biggest difference between then and now is the scale and the way people discover music. “In the late ’90s and early 2000s, the underground scene was much bigger in terms of attendance; almost every weekend there was one big party, and a couple of smaller club events, so the crowds were massive compared to today’s standards. Today, even the largest events in Osijek don’t reach that same size, although the passion and energy are still strong“, Goran said.
He highlighted another big difference that also applies on a global level. One of the main causes of big shifts was technology, as the culture has shifted from offline to online. “Back then, everything was word of mouth, flyers, and real-world connections. If you wanted to explore music or understand the scene, you really had to put in the effort by spending hours of digging through records, meeting people, and learning from experience. Before, you had to invest more time and resources to get good at it, to find quality music, and to build your craft. Today, everything is one click away. It’s easier to access, which is great in one sense, but it also means the entry (quality) barrier is much lower”, he concluded.
INSITE: What is the connection between your three fundamental projects – DJing, Rave Your Soul and WARM? What kind of sound are you trying to convey, and what does each of the ‘projects’ mean to you?
“I’d say the connection between myself as a DJ, Rave Your Soul as a label, and WARM as an event series, lies in a shared vibe and philosophy. They’re all different expressions of the same passion for groove, warmth, and authentic energy.
As a DJ, I go much wider in terms of genres, since I love both house and techno with all other variations, and I enjoy blending those worlds together in a way that feels natural and dynamic. My longer sets often move through different moods and grooves rather than sticking to one strict style.
Rave Your Soul, on the other hand, focuses more on the techno side of things, but still with that groovy, soulful touch.
WARM kind of sits in the middle. It brings together that groove-driven sound and translates it into a real physical experience on the dancefloor. Across all three projects, the essence is the same – it’s about music that moves people, that feels alive, and that carries a positive, human energy.”
INSITE: Rave Your Soul is a label you share with Rotterdam-based Marin Kuprešak, recognized by several globally renowned DJs and producers. How did the aforementioned collaboration come about and can you tell us about some upcoming releases?
“At the time we started Rave Your Soul, I noticed a certain shift happening on the scene, with wave of fresh sounds and trends that really resonated with me. Marin was already running a small label on his own, so he had that experience and knowledge on the label-management side, while I was more focused on the DJ and music curation side of things. So, It just felt like a natural combination for starting this project.
As for upcoming releases, we have quite a lot in preparation right now. I can’t reveal specific names yet since we’re still organizing some things behind the scenes, but I can say that there’s a lot of interesting and diverse material coming – all in the spirit of that signature Rave Your Soul groove.”
INSITE: Osijek has also ‘born’ numerous famous techno producers such as Insolate and Volster, and I have noticed that in the last few years, the Osijek scene has been rising again and growing despite the negative trend of emigration from Slavonia. How do you see the Osijek scene in the next few years – what is your ideal vision of the city’s scene?
“I think the Osijek scene has a lot of potential, since it has been historically strong, but the main challenge for growth at the moment, in my opinion, is the lack of suitable spaces and venues where we can organize events on a larger and more professional scale.”
INSITE: You have already had several successful WARM events and have created a community. Can you single out an event that was most special to you? Why?
“I’d probably say the first WARM event was the most special for me. We faced quite a few challenges and some unexpected issues during the organization, and at some moments it was really stressful. So, there was a lot of tension building up, but later on, a positive release and a huge energy burst.”
INSITE: All-nighter or back-to-back?
“All-nighter for sure. Not just when comparing the two, but in general, long sets are my favorite format. I really enjoy being able to stretch out, take my time, and build a proper journey throughout the night.
Back-to-backs can be fun and spontaneous, and sometimes you get those unexpected combinations that work really well, but for me, the all-nighter is where you can truly connect with the crowd and tell a full story from start to finish.”
The chance to experience DJGK’s all-nighter is already tomorrow as WARM joined forces with Rejvitalizacija, led by a fellow journalist and music enthusiast, Tena Šarčević. The idea for this collaboration came about around 6 p.m. in an after-party conversation. “Yeah, it really did start as an afterparty idea, haha – but a realistic one! 😀 I expect lots of fun, great vibes, and that warm energy we always bring!“, Goran concluded. Tickets for the upcoming event are available via the link.
