If we are talking about Croatian techno DJs and producers, it is impossible not to mention Insolate, a label boss at Out Of Place records. She started the label in 2015, aiming to put her hometown Osijek on the electronic music map, described as ‘a beautiful struggle of carving their own way into the scene from a place well off the grid from the traditional techno capitals’. In the past 9 years, the label had contributions from globally acclaimed producers as Milton Bradley, JoeFarr, Francois X, Janice, etc.
Insolate has been present on local and international electronic music scene since 1997, and played in famous clubs and festivals including Berghain, Rex, Tresor, Under Club, Club d’Anvers, Exit Festival, Tomorrowland, ADE, Terminal V and Dimensions Festival. Besides playing music on the countless European parties, she toured in Argentina, USA, China and Colombia. Ten days ago, she released a new track ‘Go With U‘ for Nastia’s record label NECHTO Records, which resulted in a great friendship with the globally acclaimed Ukrainian producer. ‘Go With U‘ is a track that perfectly showcase Insolate’s signature sound – it is a straightforward techno banger which is perfect for everyone who loves a faster BPM, and a great track to mix in the sets.
“Collaboration with Nastia came through music. I sent my demo materials to her Nechto Records and after a while she liked the song and wanted to include it on the ‘various artists’ release. However, as I was also sending those demo materials to Ellen Allien, she contacted me a little earlier also about that song and, since I had already promised that song to Ellen, I had to say no to Nastia and felt guilty that I didn’t manage to contact her earlier about it. I decided to work all day and night and deliver the best I’ve done so far to Nastia and in that way apologize to her. That’s how “Go With U” was born”, Insolate said and added they laugh about it now as they become really good friends and colleagues.
Before her guest appearance at Insolate’s famous Hush! event series at Zagreb’s Peti Kupe, Nastia visited Insolate in her hometown Osijek and conducted an in-depth interview for her ‘True Talk’ podcast series. The two producers covered various topics, including the beginning of the career, life in Osijek and Croatia in the 90s, position of women in the electronic music industry, DJ aliases and residencies, music production, trends and bookings. The interview took place at three locations – river Drava promenade, club Oxygene which opened its doors the same year Insolate started her career and the studio. The full interview is available on ‘True Talk by Nastia’ Youtube channel.
