Exclusive Interview: House Cafe

What made you want to start djing/producing?

Slawek:

Back in 1998 I got a job as a light dj in club World Underground. It was a newly opened venue in my home town that could hold over 1000 people. Out there I was getting my djing lessons from dj Olsha who was my mentor. I started to enjoy that feeling of being able to control wild crowd with music. Later I left Poland and came to US where I got a residency at one of local venues. After 4 years I got bored of main stream music and along with djs Petro, T-Square and Luke Herrera started throwing our own events called “House Sensation”. At the same time I met Lukas with whom I’m currently working  on  House Café project.

Lukas:

I started as a main stream/ euro dance dj back in high school. I was djing at most of parties at my school. I really enjoyed it so I have decided to go forward with it. Over the years I worked with a lot of djs as their “relieve man” and learned a lot from few of them. That’s how I met Slawek. He introduced me to underground house music and its history. I feel in love with this sound and here we are working together as House Café.

 

Who is your biggest influence(s)?

Slawek:

Like I said earlier my first inspiration was dj Olsha who is really talented dj. Later on a big impression on me left world class djs like Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox and Steve Lawler who I consider my Guru.

Lukas:

If it comes to biggest influences I would say Slawek, as he introduced me to house music. Biggest influence on my djing skills I would say dj Brush who was my fist big time mentor and dj Kooba who’s a resident dj at Stereo Nightclub in Chicago.

 

Whats you’re favorite record of all time?

Slawek:

Wow there are lots of tracks that I like. Fatboy Slim – Right here, right now; Underworld – Born Slippy; Tim Deluxe – It just wont do; Global communication – the way, just to name few classics.

Lukas:

First “clubby” tack that made me interested in that kind of music was “Blue” by Eiphel 65. This whole thing started with that song. But my favorite record of all time? Its hard to say. Let’s just say that anything with good vibe and vocal?

 

What is your favorite party in Chicago?

Slawek:

I played in a lot of venues. But the party I will never forget was a private party put together by my buddy Danny. The atmosphere was so intense that towards the end of the night needles started to skip on records. But nobody seemed to care. Everyone was having such a great time.

Lukas:

My first time playing at Sound-Bar. It stared really bad. My set nearly got cancelled. That it got shortened to 20 min. So I stared to play tech house tracks one after another and people seemed to enjoy it. I ended up djing for nearly 2 hrs.

 

Who do you want to collaborate with?

Slawek:

Along with Lukas we want to create something solid. Not thinking about working with any other djs at this point.

Lukas:

I have nothing else to add to Slawek’s answer.

 

What’s the most embarrassing thing thats happened to you at a show?

Slawek:

I think everyone did it. Pressing a CUE button in a middle of a playing track. Besides that I played at Ountrage once and dj who was suppose to play after me to close the night never showed up. Towards the end of the night battery in my laptop died. I forgot to plug it in to power. Good that it was the end of the night..

Lukas:

CUE button in a middle of a track. Few times.

 

What do you like to do when you’re not working on music/DJing?

Slawek:

I’m a huge fan of soccer so I follow English Premiere League. Especially Manchester United.

Lukas:

I work a lot. So every minute of free time between my family and work I try to focus on music.

 

What is your opinion on the current EDM scene?

Slawek:

If this question is about main stream music than I have no idea what’s going on with it. If you’re asking about underground music than it’s doing good. Best parties are the ones nobody knows about.

Lukas:

Hmm.. I liked it better when it was more underground..

 

What do you think will be the next big thing in EDM?

Slawek:

I am an old school dj so I would rather stick with old school sounds. But I really like mix of deep house sounds with drum n base. Maybe that kind of music will get more exposure so more people get to like it..

Lukas:

I truly hope  underground house music will become more popular.

 

Is there any upcoming releases/shows we should keep an eye out for?

Slawek:

With us it changes every day so check out our fan page at www.facebook.com/housecafechii. Right now I am getting ready for Lakes Of Fire in Michigan. I will be playing lots of deep house and chill music.

Lukas:

Djing for us is an adventure. We don’t really care if we make it to big scene or not. We just want to enjoy what we’re doing. Maybe at some time in a near future we will release a track or few. For now we are mostly djs so just stay tuned to our fan page for info on our gigs.

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