The Fine Beats‘ 47th Independance radio show was guest-hosted by DJ Tsu and also featured Hungarian producer, Secret Fusion label head and Epocha Lake manager SOUVEQ. Push play and listen to his exclusive guest mix below while you get to know more about the artist behind this project.

– What’s the story behind SouveQ? 

Basically I’ve been a house DJ for 10 years under the name of Muzikfabrik, then at one point I started to collect synths and analogue gear in my basement and I created a live project, which became SouveQ.

I had a string of successful collaborative projects under my belt. I started this latest moniker as a live and production project in 2017 focusing on a synth-laden, 80s-influenced sound that draws on Nu wave, disco and techno.

What describes my music is cosmic space travel. The drums are mid-tempo and wavy, the sci-fi synths bring a real sense of dynamism and the inherent tension in the bass keeps you keenly locked. Various expressive pads break out of the mix to bring real drama and ensure my music will always work ‘the floor’.

– Who have your greatest teachers been, your greatest inspirations? Who has had the greatest influence on your musical soundscapes? 

My musical career as a DJ started in 2003. At the time I played a lot of funk / hiphop. Those funky melodies always inspire me, I’m always looking for some instruments in a track, that catches me. I’m really bored of the groover tracks, which are basically a drum loop and bass.

As a Dj I was a big fan of Frankie Knuckles, Desyn Masiello, Darius Syrossian, and nowadays Jenifer Cardinni, DJ Tennis and Marvin & Guy.

– How has your sound, your taste in music developed throughout the years?  

As I mentioned, I started with hiphop / funk. Then I got interested in funk house, from funk house I went to deep house, and from the deepest house I explored a wide range of underground 4/4 music from techno to cosmic indie synth disco.

– How about those mind-blowing, life-changing experiences that have shaped you and your sound?

Each set, where the audience is open for new experiences, and my eclectic DJ sets, there is an explosion. And it can be 50 or 5000 people, I have the same goosebumps.

– Which one of your releases/tracks are the most characteristic of your sounds or stand the closest to you for some reason?

As I had many monickers before, I’ve numerous releases in many style, but for now ‘Lost in Paradise’ is the one I could play always happily That track always blows the mind of the audience.

– What projects are you involved in? (Or would love to experiment with?)

Now my top task, THE PROJECT, is the Secret Fusion Label, which we grounded with the Secret Fusion guys, and I’m the label manager. We lined up a few EPs last year, and involved artists like Marvin & Guy (who are my non plus ultra favourite producers/DJs), TERR, Man Power, Jenia Tarsol, Craig Bratley, Younger Than Me, Man 2.0, Curses. These names are very hot now in this kind of music in the scene. 

– Who do you think are the most cutting-edge newest sound makers in the scene? Who are your newest discoveries? 

I think Red Axes are on a really good path now, mixing their trippy sound with oriental folk instruments and some kind of weird mix comes out, that always buys me.

– Which artists remain the ultimate classics for you in the scene (or in music generally)?

Haha, it’s a good question. If people asks me about my all-time favourite track, I always respond: Shapeshifters’ Lola’s Theme. But as a DJ? Can’t name one. I’ve mentioned a few names before, all of them.

– Scene at home?

Better not talk about the Hungarian scene. There are some musical snobs, who think they know a lot about music, but it’s a false illusion. We have top DJs, some cool promoters, but clever audience….

– Most memorable gigs, experiences? 

Last year at Sziget Festival I opened the Colosseum Stage. It’s not the best slot to play from 12:00-14:00, but its an honour to play there. And then the guys told me that there was a gap between 17:00-18:00 as the new DJ was delayed, so I got an extra slot near the peak time, and that was a blast. 3-4000 partygoers, who enjoyed every track I played. I loved it.

– What are some of the greatest challenges you faced so far as an artist or producer? How about the moments that you felt were the greatest rewards so far?

Once I played in Russia on the other side of Earth, by the Pacific Ocean. Nah… that was terror. I couldn’t sell any of my productions to them, however hard I tried. On the positive side, I was honoured to play live at Ibiza Global Radio just before Carl Cox. That’s memorable.

– Musically speaking what’s still on your bucket list? If it wasn’t this, what would it be?  

I’ve played at almost every big festival in Hungary, except Ozora. That’s been on my bucket list for a long time. Also it would be cool to return to international touring, 5-6 gigs abroad would be freaking good per year. I’m working on it.

– What are your other passions in life? 

Collecting synths, vinyls, and first of all, my family!!

– What are you working on at present? What are you looking forward to the most?

I’m finishing 3 originals the following month, and also I’m the Operative Manager of the Epocha Lake Festival, it fills all my free time!