This Christmas, the renowned Zagreb venue Masters will host an all-night performance by one of the pioneers of DJing in Serbia and the Balkans, Marko Nastic. With a career spanning over 25 years, Nastic has left an indelible mark on the regional and global electronic music scene. Known for his vinyl sets on three decks, Nastic is also the founder of the first techno label in Serbia – Recon Warriors. His extensive experience has taken him to some of the world’s most iconic stages, where he has showcased his skills and passion for electronic music.
A pivotal moment in his career came with the release of his debut vinyl EP on Recycled Loops, featuring the legendary track “Devil In My Pants“. This success led him to perform at major international festivals such as Tomorrowland, Sonar Festival in Spain, BPM Festival in Mexico, ADE, and Awakenings, and he has been a resident DJ at the EXIT Festival in Novi Sad for over 20 years. Additionally, Nastic has graced the stages of iconic clubs such as The Egg in London, Tresor, CDV, and Golden Gate in Berlin, D-EDGE, and Surreal in Brasil, and Amnesia in Ibiza.
In this interview for INSITE, Marko discusses his experiences, his thoughts on the electronic music scene, and his advice for the next generation of DJs. He shares insights into his favorite clubs in Serbia, the music he listens to when he’s not behind the decks, and his approach to balancing his personal and professional life, among many other things.
How do you perceive the audience in Zagreb/Croatia?
I’ve been coming to Zagreb and Croatia for years, and every time, Croatia welcomes me with open arms. The interaction with the audience is always exceptional, and the crowd here has an amazing ability to surrender to the music and create an unforgettable atmosphere, which for me is one of the key elements of any great party.
Which clubs or events would you recommend to electronic music lovers when they visit Belgrade/Serbia?
Belgrade offers a very diverse range of clubs, and truly, anyone can find something they like and want to listen to. I’ll try to create my own “hitchhiker’s guide” to clubs in Serbia where I love to go, but also where I work. You have to be aware that during the summer months, every space, whether open or closed, easily transforms into a club, which makes the selection even bigger. What I find interesting right now is that we have a much larger number of clubs compared to club-goers, which is a result of the expansion of this business, to the point where we even have parents taking their kids to DJ schools, where they learn how to play on small controllers. (When I watch from the side, it feels like they’re playing on a PlayStation)
Let’s start with the clubs that closed due to poor decisions from the authorities, which most impacted the youth and the subculture of the city. I especially regret the closure of 20/44 because I spent unforgettable years there, welcoming sunrises while enjoying a diverse program—from krautrock to house, disco, techno, and everything else that sparks my imagination. The good news is that 20/44 found a new address and is now anchored on land, in a place where legendary clubs like Mladost, Ludost, Radost, and Gadost used to be.
Raft 25th went through the same fate but has also moved to Karađorđeva Street, where you can enjoy its minimal sounds that it’s known for, as well as techno and house nights that won’t disappoint.
I play at Kult every couple of months, and it’s a club for everyone, with a program that truly covers most genres of electronic music. If you’re someone who knows exactly what you want to hear, I recommend you check the program for that night.
Karmakoma – some might say it’s the successor to Drugstore, but with a smaller capacity. Very interesting and varied line-ups.
You definitely should add KPTM to your list – a club that, aside from having a great line-up, is also appealing because it stays open until the early hours.
And if you’re in Novi Sad, Tunnel is a must-visit.
When performing outside the region, do you notice a difference in how the audience reacts to your music compared to the local scene?
In the first week of December this year, I had a world premiere at Berlin’s Kraftwerk with the Berlin Ballet Company. Five intense days with 8 performances (including 5 live shows and 3 DJ sets) showed me how much audience energy can vary depending on the day of the week. During the weekdays, after the performance, I felt a certain lethargy and reserve from the audience, but the weekend was a completely different story. The openness and willingness of the audience to extend the set on Friday and Saturday proved that the weekend is just made for a bit more fun. I got the impression that the audience outside our region is more relaxed and ready to surrender to the fun, which probably has to do with their standard of living and lesser daily stress.
Considering the number of DJs in the region, you are one of the few who regularly perform outside the borders of the former Yugoslavia. Do you think DJs from our area are under-recognized on the global scene? What do you think is the key to your success, and what advice would you give to young DJs looking to make a breakthrough?
The oversaturation of the DJ market, often caused by promoters opening doors to just about everyone, has created a situation where many perform for minimal fees, offering very little in return, and frankly, they shouldn’t be there. This approach demotivates talented artists and slows down the scene’s development. I think we should support more those who are dedicated to music and have a real chance to leave a mark.
I’ve been in this business for a long time, I’m persistent, I don’t do anything else but this, and I love what I do. I try to get work and connect with people solely through music. I always advise young people to be patient and focus on their work.
It’s well-known that the work schedule of a DJ/producer often doesn’t align with a typical daily rhythm – nighttime performances, hours in the studio, and on top of that, you have a family. How do you manage to balance all these responsibilities? When and how do you find time to rest?
It’s definitely challenging, but without a fixed work schedule and with discipline, I can organize my time in such a way that I work a little every day and achieve everything I want. Selecting music and buying vinyls is part of the routine I manage to keep up. As for production, that’s a more complex matter that requires inner peace and a good mood. Healthy eating and exercise are key factors that help me achieve my goals. Family always has a priority in my life because, for me, family is everything.
What do you listen to when you’re not playing electronic music?
It depends on my mood, but I really listen to all sorts of things. Here are a few of the latest albums I’ve bought recently:
Steely Dan – Greatest Hits
Talking Heads – Speaking in Tongues
Jackie Mittoo – In Africa
The Doors – The Doors
Beograd – Remek Depo
P.S. These are just vinyls, I can’t be bothered to dig through digital music
You often mention that you like to meditate before a performance. Do you have any other rituals before going on stage?
The priority is to be rested, which is why I prefer performances outside Serbia, where I can relax in peace at a hotel, focus on the set, and arrive exactly on time for the performance. The most important part of the job is those few hours on stage, that’s why I’m here. On the other hand, when a gig is in Belgrade, everything tends to take much longer.
What can the audience expect from you in the future? Do you have plans for new projects, releases, or perhaps some special collaborations?
After the world premiere, the project with the Berlin Ballet Company is in full swing. For those who are not familiar, I wrote, composed, and created the music for this ballet – the entire program, which is 1 hour and 10 minutes long, consists of seven original compositions, specially arranged/rearranged Vivaldi, and a series of interludes that tie the entire story together. It was a challenging but incredibly creative experience, working closely with the choreographers to make sure the music perfectly matched the dancers’ movements. I’m now working on finalizing the album with these tracks, and we already have bookings for next year. Given the great interest from the audience, our goal is to conquer the global stage.
From June to September, I spent a lot of time in the studio working on other materials, and my goal now is to finish them. Although it might sound unusual, I spent the summer locked in the studio – the high temperatures pushed me to retreat to the air-conditioned studio, while weekends were reserved for traveling.
Christmas at Masters – what are you preparing, what are your expectations?
I can’t wait to see all my friends, and I’m really excited about it. I’ll be playing the whole night, from midnight until 6 AM, which reminds me of a few years ago when I had a long set at Masters, and that experience really stuck with me. I believe this night will be equally unforgettable.
