by Kazantzakis has been a soul who has done nothing but amaze and impress the underground. His suave and intricate skills within production have led him down a healthy and fulfilling path so far. The beat guru knows no boundaries and continues to push the limits to the highest degree. Creating some of the hardest and most unique pieces we’ve heard. We highly suggest diving into his discography of treasures to hear what you’ve been missing.
Throughout the past four years, the producer has been dropping pure gems. Each with their own distinct character and atmosphere. Whether it be hard-hitting or just plain soothing, his adaptable nature through frequencies can cater to many types of audiences. From sampling Playboi Carti, Drake, and more to create whole new environments, to forming complete trap masterpieces with nasty sound design, there’s no telling what he’ll tackle next! He’s even handcrafted incredible works of art for labels such as High Peaks Collective, Dumb Collective, and even BONSAI! So it’s with our greatest pleasure to present our next guest mix and interview with icon, Kazantzakis! You definitely won’t want to miss out on this one.
Firstly, how’ve you been doing throughout 2021 so far?
2021 has been a great year so far. I met a bunch of people on the internet through music and that’s honestly the most exciting thing for me. I released music on such great labels, finished my first year of dentistry, discovered new artists and music, a bunch of stuff…
The listener will experience a roller coaster of emotions. Maybe some will be surprised by the track selection, as there are a lot of drum and bass/half time tunes.
What can listeners expect through this experience (the mix)?
All the tracks that I enjoy listening to but can’t produce for some reason like I can make something similar to it but not on that level. The listener will experience a roller coaster of emotions. Maybe some will be surprised by the track selection, as there are a lot of drum and bass/half time tunes.
Was there a specific moment or time where you discovered you wanted to pursue music for a living?
There was a time when my cousin showed me some DJ Bl3nd stuff on YouTube and from that time I was obsessed with djing. He was jumping and doing some crazy stuff in his room and I liked his energy, he was playing mostly electro house and Dutch house if you know. Then I discovered those festivals like UMF, EDC, etc. I just liked the idea of me being a DJ and playing my favorite tracks to thousands of people that enjoyed the same type of music. Then I saw that that DJ bl3nd was playing a lot of Afrojack tracks so I got interested in him and I found out that he was using FL Studio to make music, at that time a friend of mine had told me about it and he said that I could make music with it, so it all began from there. But the main idea behind all that was the desire to play my own tracks at a big festival in front of a big crowd. Just imagine thousands of people jumping, screaming, doing mosh pits to your music, I just can’t explain that feeling.
We noticed you’re from Greece! What was it like growing up there?
People in Greece are more chill than here in Russia, life moves fast here. In Greece I had my most memorable moments, school, my friends, the town where I grew up, it was there where I discovered my love for music and the club scene. One time me and my friend decided to go to the club, so I found out who the DJ that night was and I sent him some of my tracks so he could play them. So we are the club and he starts playing my track and I went nuts, crazy times. I still wish to go back.
It may be anything, I can just see a cool Mercedes on the road and get some inspiration to make music. Fashion, brands, good sunny weather…
Where do you get or find creativity during your process? Does it come from your surroundings or experiences?
It may be anything, I can just see a cool Mercedes on the road and get some inspiration to make music. Fashion, brands, good sunny weather, and also the PINKFLAMINGOUSA videos on YouTube. I just fantasize that I live the life that he shows in his videos and get that extra inspiration.
You’ve released on a lot of incredible labels so far! What made you choose those specific platforms?
I like that they have a “cult” following if you know what I mean, they are not just labels, more like a big family, and all the members in there enjoy the same type of music.
During the journey of learning how to create music, were you self-taught or did you learn from certain peers along the way?
Half self-taught and half Reddit, YouTube, forums, blogs. I don’t have any peers that make music and it sucks.
I like that they have a “cult” following if you know what I mean, they are not just labels, more like a big family, and all the members in there enjoy the same type of music.
If you could choose a career besides music, what would gravitate towards you the most?
Making perfumes or designing clothes ahaha.
Do you have any other passions outside of the musical world?
No, but I study dentistry if you can call it passion.
In August, you played an online Bass Gamut event along with other huge legends, how was that experience overall?
It was something new, I never had that type of experience, I was so excited that I was thinking about it all day. It was my first mix ever too.
Where can you see the Kazantzakis project in the next 5 years?
I want to have my own sound, the “Kazantzakis” sound or play at a club somewhere in the US packed with a wild crowd.
Are there any words of wisdom you’d like to bestow upon upcoming musicians?
Maybe remember where you started, your first steps, I think I could use some type of advice honestly. But I would like to take the chance and thank the labels that released my music and of course the guys on the FUXWITHIT blog. You gave me some type of boost to continue to make even better music. Shout out to High Peaks Collective, dumb collective, Denali, SUBU, and FUXWITHIT.
Tracklist:
thook – BRONZE GARDEN
Oblivion – Pablo
Troyboi – Mantra
Yancey, Golden Child & Yojas – Shaolin Noon
Ivy Lab – Two By Two
Boombox Cartel – maquina
ini & dilip – deported (kas bootleg)
ini & Dilip & Olswel – out da bubble
thook – RUDE
NOISIA – Possession (with Ivy Lab)
Mo Vibez & L*o*J – Juggernaut
urde – WEEZY
Skrillex, Charlie Puth, T-Pain – ID
What So Not – Divide & Conquer (Noisia Remix)
Two Fingers (feat. Noisia) – Salah
Eprom – Dangerous Sound
bsterthegawd & qioh & legend – beatbox
olswel & ini – morsing
beastboi – SHAPESHIFTERZ
The Caracal Project & Leotrix – New Lesson
The Caracal Project & Skylark – Quick of Breath (ft. LaMeduza)
RL Grime & Juelz – Formula (IMANU Remix)
Explorers of the Internet – Burial Be Like
