InterviewsScene
Varaždin collective Tech Grooves has prepared its first international booking of the season at the iconic venue Medina Škrinja.
On Friday, February 28, Tech Grooves brings Phoenix Movement to Varaždin, one of the most exciting new names on the Bulgarian techno scene. He is the founder of the Enter Audio label and is known for his hybrid DJ sets (Ableton + Traktor). Phoenix also frequently collaborates with Cristian Craken, a favorite of the Zagreb audience.
“This is definitely our first more serious international booking and a big milestone for us. We believe Varaždin deserves a high-quality electronic music program and artists who are relevant on the European scene. Alongside Techno Workout, who are already doing a great job, there is room in the city for even more quality events and a diverse electronic music offering. This is our contribution to that story,” said the organizer and founder of Tech Grooves, Sebastijan Kostanjevac, better known as BOSE. “The idea for the party came about spontaneously. We listened to Cristian Craken and Phoenix Movement at Boogaloo in Zagreb, and the energy they brought that night was something we immediately wanted to see in Varaždin as well,” he continued.
The party will take place in a city that holds the UNESCO City of Music title, and according to the organizers, special emphasis will be placed on audio-visual production, a powerful sound system, and a carefully designed light show featuring a large number of next-generation lighting fixtures.
Alongside the headliner, Tech Grooves residents BOSE b2b STEEL, active on club stages across Croatia, and LIMEE, also a Tech Grooves resident and founder of Vibe Events from Koprivnica, will perform. The organizer also emphasized the importance of giving visibility: “Alongside the headliner, we always place special emphasis on our residents and local artists. We believe the scene doesn’t grow only through guest appearances, but through continuity, collaboration, and mutual support.”
Ahead of the event, we had the opportunity to speak with Phoenix Movement, who shared more about his experience with the Croatian audience and what Tech Grooves visitors can expect this Friday.
Hi Phoenix, thank you for agreeing to this short interview. You are coming to Medina Škrinja in Varaždin on February 28. The last time you performed in Croatia was on New Year’s Eve in a b2b set with Christian Craken. Apart from that, have you performed for the Croatian audience before, and what kind of experience do you take from our dance floors?
Hello, thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to connect and share a few words before a special night like this.
Besides my New Year’s Eve B2B set with Christian Craken, I have also performed twice before in Croatia, in Dubrovnik and Zagreb.
Every time I play there, I feel a very special connection with the crowd. The Croatian audience brings strong energy, open minds, and a real passion for electronic music. They don’t just listen, they experience the music. I am truly excited for my fourth performance in Croatia, this time in Varaždin.
How does the Croatian audience differ from the one in your home country, Bulgaria? Do you feel any similarities in the “Balkan” way of socializing and dancing?
Bulgarian and Croatian crowds share a similar spirit. There is this Balkan intensity and emotional connection to music that I really love. Even though I have more experience performing in Bulgaria, what impressed me in Croatia is how deeply people immerse themselves in the moment. They come to dance, to feel, and to live the night fully. That kind of atmosphere always pushes me to give even more behind the decks.
How do you see the current state of the regional techno scene? What is your impression of the Croatian scene? Are there any artists or producers you follow or would like to highlight?
It is evolving at an incredible pace, and the number of subgenres keeps growing. There are countless concepts, events, and festivals happening worldwide. It’s inspiring to see how dynamic and global the movement has become. The culture is alive, and it keeps evolving every day.
I would like to give special thanks to Shipe from Zagreb, who invited me to Croatia for the first time. He is a very cool and energetic artist.
You are the founder of Enter Audio and are known for your hybrid DJ set using Ableton and Traktor. How important is it for you to push technical boundaries during a performance, and what does this hybrid approach allow you to do compared to a classic DJ set?
I’m the founder of Enter Audio, a project that is still developing but is built on a clear long-term vision. I have strong ideas for the future of the label, and I’m focused on growing it step by step.
I’m very passionate about hybrid DJ performance. Using Ableton and Traktor allows me to move beyond a traditional setup and transform my sets into something more personal and expressive. With live elements, loops, layers, and effects, I can reshape tracks in real time and create unique moments that only exist in that specific night. It gives me complete creative freedom and helps me stay authentic and different.
We are expecting a night with a strong audiovisual focus and a powerful sound system. What can the audience in Varaždin expect from your set?
In Varaždin, the crowd can expect a powerful and dynamic journey. I’ll present some of my unreleased tracks as well as fresh music from the label. When the sound system is strong and well-tuned, everything feels more intense and immersive. I love the moment when the energy between me and the audience becomes one continuous flow. That’s when the dancefloor truly explodes.
You will be performing in a venue located in the baroque city center of a city that holds the UNESCO City of Music title. How much do the location and the context of a city influence your inspiration before a performance?
The atmosphere and history of a city always influence me. Performing in a place with cultural depth and musical identity adds extra meaning to the night. I try to feel the spirit of the location and translate it into my set. Context matters, and it motivates me to deliver something memorable.
Is there a track, yours or someone else’s, that in your opinion perfectly captures the atmosphere of the night waiting for us on February 28?
I have a few brand new unreleased tracks that perfectly match the vibe of the upcoming night. They are called Lost, Deese, Cognitive Flow, and Feel It. They represent my current sound and creative direction, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with the crowd.
Tickets for Tech Grooves featuring Phoenix Movement will be available at the entrance for 15 euros.
