+Exclusive interview with Vali Barbulescu for unitedmusic.ro

UnitedMusic How would you describe yourself in ten words?

Vali Barbulescu funny, optimist, powerful, sinner, sincere, determined, geek, artist, vengeful, myself.

UnitedMusic Why the stage name Vali Barbulescu and not a nickname ?


Vali Barbulescu There were many nick names on the scene 15 years ago when I started DJing. I just wanted to be different. I must admit I thought of being "DJ Dildo"... but... no! My own name is the best choice to describe... myself. It surprises me though those young DJs that come out with such silly nick names and using that "yahoo spelling". I also use a couple of "aliases" for my productions and remixes. One of those is "Val Laville". It's really hard for the non-romanian audience to spell my romanian name.

 

 

UnitedMusic Where do you get your musical influence from?


Vali Barbulescu My father used to be a sailor... Since I was a kiddo, I had the chance to "accidentally listen" to different types of musical genres. Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Madonna, The Beatles, George Michael, Depeche Mode and all those early 80's. That was the first state of becoming a music lover and later on a DJ/Producer. I think I am still influenced by music. All kinds of music. Recently I've discovered Coldplay and all of a sudden I become a fan ! Also lots of downtempo tracks have influenced my "uptempo" sets... So, it's music definitely !

 

 

UnitedMusic How does one recognise a typical DJ Vali Barbulescu set?


Vali Barbulescu I play music using my hands but thinking with my brain and feeling with my heart. So, there's so much "me" in my sets. From the selection of the tunes to the layering of the beats. I also do lots of "add ons". Scratches, fx, accapellas, live percussion and more. There's a big percentage of "unreleased romanian tracks" in my sets. Bootlegs and edits also. Train your ears and you will recognize the "sound" of VB.

 

 

UnitedMusic What is your personal preference? Letting the music do the talking all on its own or having a powerful vocalist on a track?


Vali Barbulescu It's all about the moment, the crowd, the time, the place... Sometimes I just like to rock the dance floor with those filthy groovy beats but sometimes I love the way a vocal track brings so much feeling in the mix.

 

 

UnitedMusic Who do you credit as having discovered DJ Vali Barbulescu?


Vali Barbulescu I don't wanna be "nose up"... but when I started to DJ there were not so many DJs. I think it was me, discovering myself as a music mixing lover... and that was a narcissist passion that helped me to become better and better... There were a couple of DJs who helped me later with gigs and producing. I must give a big shout out to DJ Raoul who was a true friend and partner in early 2000's. We used to gig together a lot and recommend each other to promoters/venues. Later Catalin Ghinea from Sunrise Agency did a great job in managing my gigs. Right now, as a mainstream artist I am represented by Emil Burloi, also known as the most powerful romanian artist manager in the biz.

 

 

UnitedMusic What are you working on in the studio at the moment?
 

Vali Barbulescu Working in progress... with the hit of the summer 09 ! This is what I used to say while producing my new single "Inside of you". The track is ready and it sounds the way I wanted to... It's something new, totally different than the "popcorn" tracks we hear all over the place. Deepside Dejays produced the song and I used Damon as a vocalist. You will for sure be impressed by his voice ! The single will benefit of a couple of remixes by well-known DJs/Producers worldwide. I am sure it will be BIG !

 

 

UnitedMusic How important do you think is checking out other DJs sets?
 

Vali Barbulescu It is. As I told you that I am influenced by music... It's a good resource of learning and inspiration if you listen to other DJs' sets. You have to love the taste of a cupcake before trying to make one yourself !

 

 

UnitedMusic What’s the current trend in house music right now? What is rocking the crowds?
 

Vali Barbulescu To be honest... it's trance ! Trance music is still on the mainstream side of electronic dance music. Many say that minimal house could be the trend for the moment. I think is wrong. Minimal is just a phase.

 

 

UnitedMusic Who’s your favourite Dj of all time?


Vali Barbulescu I do not consider myself anyone's fan... I admire all the fellow DJs and there's a few of them that impressed me over the years... John Digweed, James Zabiela, Richardo Villalobos, Luciano, Richie Hawtin, Pushkarev, Rhadoo and of course the trance trio Tiesto, Van Dyk and Van Buuren. Sometimes when I gig in different clubs I get to meet some very good resident DJs also.

 

 

UnitedMusic How important do you feel it is to educate your crowd at a gig seeing as how many of them have usually paid to hear what they know?


Vali Barbulescu As a mainstream DJ, I have to play what they know and are familiar with. But I have my own manner with that... For example I use the theme of a top hit along with some underground beats... and that is something they know but actually they...don't. Sometimes I am in the position to educate the crowd. Not only musically but to show them a good example in me. I don't drink, don't smoke, don't do drugs but I enjoy the music a lot. And that's something they could learn from.

 

 

UnitedMusic What do you do besides DJing?
 

Vali Barbulescu Photography, Radio, TV, and... being in love !

 

 

UnitedMusic How do you make time for all your hobbies : radio, photography and DJing?


Vali Barbulescu I guess never thought of working and having spare time... I really like what I do for living and I consider myself blessed for that. Even if I wake up at 6h30 every day and work hard after midnight I don't complain as long as I do everything with joy and pleasure!

 

 

UnitedMusic About photography..when did you discovered you have a passion fot it? And what do you like most to show in your photos?
 

Vali Barbulescu I started to do photography on a professional level 3 years ago. The passion I think was there long time before... I remember I was only 12 years old when I stole my grandma's russian camera to "shoot" some of my class mates... :)

Mainly, I photograph people. Girls in matter. Faces almost. So, I can consider myself a portraitist. I love fashion photography too. I just love to capture that 1/125 of a second in a person's life.

 

 

UnitedMusic If, for some reasons, you will have to choose between photography and music what it will be?

Vali Barbulescu I don't like the ideea to... choose between those two ! And I will never do !

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