InterviewsScene
A quarter of a century behind the decks deserves to be celebrated in good company. On November 14, Tom Bug takes over Peti Kupe for a special B2B edition, joined by four DJs who have become an important part of the Dobar House story throughout different stages of his career. Dvornykova, Hrwo E, Grooveline and Pips are joining him behind the decks, with connection through years of shared sets, musical collaborations, event organisation and the evolution of the Dobar House sound and identity.
We had a chat with him yesterday at the Ambasador awards ceremony that was held at Boogaloo club, Zagreb and we looked back at his expectations as a young DJ stepping on the scene 25 years ago compared to his career now.
“When you’re young you’re looking up at your role models and want to do something alike. I remember I was going out in OTV, today’s Boogaloo, and I said to myself – I want to play music here in the next five years. I didn’t – it was actually the last big club that I played music in. However, meanwhile, I was behind the decks of the other big clubs in Croatia“, he mentioned while we were standing in front of the entrance, reminiscing on the quarter of century behind the decks. Looking back, we asked him did he achieve his dreams and wishes he had 25 years ago, and how does he look at his career now.
“It comes in phases. First, you have gigs in smaller bars and you dream about clubs. It happens. Then, you want to play gigs at bigger clubs and festivals, you want to have your club night; it happens also. Finally, naturally it comes to all of these goals you set for yourself. I don’t want to use the word manifest because I actually hate it. However, it’s inevitable to achieve it if you are constantly working on your sound, project and surround yourself with people that are a part of the vision itself. If I look back at the goals I had 10 and 20 years ago, my wishes came true“, said the founder of Dobar House.
On the other hand, looking at the future, we asked him where does he see himself in the next 25 years and what are the goals he would still want to achieve. “It’s much easier to look at it in retrospective, especially because at present I want to do more and I am not completely satisfied with where I stand now“, he said, stating that he always has new ideas, wishes and goals to achieve. “I would like to have an European tour. That’s something I still didn’t experience. I have been in most clubs in Croatia and the region, so my next stop is Europe.”
B2B Gathering of Dobar House Family
Speaking of Saturday celebration, Tom Bug pointed out that bringing together everyone who makes up the Dobar House family on a single night is no easy task, but this four-piece lineup represents a big part of its heart and foundations. “I hope my friends, colleagues and everyone who have been a part of the journey come to celebrate with me this Saturday“, he said.
With Grooveline, Tom shares the Tom Bug & Grooveline project, numerous releases, the hit Something’ Takin’ Over and the 2024 album Copy Machine. Dvornykova represents one of the new forces within Dobar House, as a resident DJ and part of the organising team. Her first two B2B sets with Tom have already made an impression and won over the crowd. Hrwo E has been part of the story almost since the beginning, a master of disco and classic house, as well as a regular at the legendary Dobar Božić parties. Pips joined the crew in the earlier days of Dobar House and has remained a natural fit for its sound, aesthetic and everything the brand stands for. In addition to this strong lineup that shaped eras of Dobar House sound, yesterday at Ambasador was no exception for the newer members of the team. Young DJs and members of the label, Anja D and Arya, have been awarded in two categories.
“I am very proud and happy for my team at the moment, Arya has just won the award for the best graphic design for Jan Kincl’s EP, and Anja Dominic has won the Next Gen award. They are very smart, intelligent, fun people and great DJs with bright future on the scene“, Tom Bug concluded.
For this weekend, he announced a musical cross-section of house in all its colours, featuring tracks that have shaped Tom’s career, shared with the people he’s shared the decks, ideas and countless memorable moments with.
