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Backstage Podcast

Backstage Podcast

by Shtrayfix events (Jurij Jovan & David Lavrič)

Performing Arts Management Music Interviews

Season 5

How Serbia’s Techno Scene Evolved & Survived (Saša Potežica) — Backstage #44

Saša Potežica is a long-time music industry professional, event organizer, and DJ who has played a vital role in shaping Serbia’s electronic music scene. From selling pirate CDs in Belgrade to working at iconic clubs like Drugstore and managing the No Sleep stage at Exit Festival, his journey offers a unique insider perspective. In this episode, Sasa dives into the rise of techno culture in Serbia, how the underground scene thrived despite political turmoil, and how clubbing has been intertwined with social movements. He shares stories from Belgrade’s wild 90s raves, the unexpected government support of early electronic music, and how the industry has changed in the age of social media. Expect to learn about Serbia’s legendary clubs, the impact of piracy on the local music scene, how COVID reshaped nightlife, and why DJs are now supporting national protests, and much more. ======================= TBA timestamps ======================= Mentioned in the episode: TBA ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... David Lavrič https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ Shtrayfix Events https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

Longevity, Touring & Running a Label (Perc) – Backstage #43

Perc a.k.a. Ali Wells is one of the most influential figures in techno, known for his raw, industrial sound and his label, Perc Trax. With a career spanning decades, he has remained true to his artistic vision while adapting to the ever-changing electronic music landscape. In this episode, Perc shares his journey from working in a vinyl distribution company to becoming a globally recognized DJ, producer, and label owner. He opens up about the realities of running a label, why social media has changed the game for DJs, and how he balances creativity with business. Expect to learn why playing warm-up sets is a lost art, the biggest challenges for emerging artists today, how to market a release without spamming people, and why staying true to yourself is the best long-term strategy—and much more. Perc Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/perc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perctrax/ New mix: https://soundcloud.com/perc/perc-spring-mix-2025 ======================= TBA timestamps ======================= Mentioned in the episode: TBA ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... David Lavrič https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ Shtrayfix Events https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

The Art of Street Performance & The Power of Laughter (Piko Patrik Leins) – Backstage #42

Piko Patrik Leins has spent over three decades mastering the art of street performance, blending physical comedy, theater, and improvisation to create unforgettable experiences. As a performer in Foolpool, his work has taken him from circus stages to international festivals, always pushing the boundaries of interactive theater. In this episode, Piko talks about the origins of Foolpool, the philosophy behind their acts, and the creative process of developing performances that engage and surprise audiences. He also shares fascinating stories from traveling with the circus, performing in Japan, and adapting shows for different cultures. Expect to learn how physical comedy works without words, what makes a performance universally funny, why improvisation is crucial in street theater, how Foolpool kept performing even during lockdowns, and... much more. Fool Pool https://www.foolpool.de/en/home/ ======================= TBA timestamps ======================= Mentioned in the episode: The Alexander Technique https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZaUgt8wyoY ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... David Lavrič https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ Shtrayfix Events https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

Crowd Cushion as the Future of Festival Safety (Catherine Curtin) – Backstage #41

Catherine Curtin grew up loving concerts—until she started noticing dangerous flaws in crowd safety. Now, she’s changing the game with CrowdCushion, an innovative safety system designed to prevent crowd crushes before they happen. In this episode, Catherine explains how her firsthand experiences at music festivals, combined with her studies in sports and entertainment management, led to the development of her safety technology. She shares insights on the biggest crowd control risks, the importance of real-time event monitoring, and what it takes to bring a new product to the festival industry. Expect to learn how pressure-sensitive barricades can save lives, why event safety should be a top priority, how to protect yourself in a dangerous crowd, and what the future of live entertainment looks like—and much more. Catherine Curtin https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-curtin-82003117b/ ====================== TBA timestamps ======================= Mentioned in the episode: Crowd Cushion https://crowdcushion.com/ https://www.instagram.com/crowd_cushion/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/crowd-cushion/ ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... Production: Shtrayfix events Hosts: David Lavrič, Jurij Jovan Intro track: ASTWØ - Cyber Theft David Lavrič 📷 https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth 📷 https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ SHTRAYFIX EVENTS Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ TikTok 🎶 https://www.tiktok.com/@shtrayfix_events Facebook 📘 https://www.facebook.com/shtrayfix ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

Substance Awareness, Safety, Stigma, and Solutions (Marko Verdenik) — Backstage #40

Marko Verdenik is a seasoned expert in drug safety and harm reduction, helping reshape the conversation around substance use in Slovenia and region. What can we learn from a decade of monitoring the drug scene? Marko shares stories from his career at DrogArt, including the impact of MDMA, new trends in synthetic substances, and how club culture reflects society’s struggles. Explore the fine line between risk and responsibility, the role of education in reducing harm, and the future of substance testing—and much more. Marko Verdenik https://www.drogart.org/ekipa/marko-verdenik/ DrogArt https://www.drogart.org/ Photo by DrogArt ======================= TBA timestamps ======================= Mentioned in the episode: DrogArt https://www.drogart.org/ ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... Production: Shtrayfix events Hosts: David Lavrič, Jurij Jovan Intro track: ASTWØ - Cyber Theft David Lavrič 📷 https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth 📷 https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ SHTRAYFIX EVENTS Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ TikTok 🎶 https://www.tiktok.com/@shtrayfix_events Facebook 📘 https://www.facebook.com/shtrayfix ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

From Melbourne to Berlin, [coconut.concepts] and Event Management (Carl Bergé) — Backstage #38

In the 38th episode of the Backstage Podcast, we sit down with Carl Bergé aka Roman Berger. He is a DJ, producer and event promoter. We speak about his journey through life, from discovering his passion for electronic music in Melbourne to becoming a part of Berlin's nightlife scene. Roman shares his experiences of starting as a rap artist, transitioning to DJing, and founding his event brand, [coconut.concepts]. He opens up about the lessons learned in marketing while working as an event manager, the art of creating memorable moments on the dance floor, and the challenges of running events in a competitive industry. He also gives us a sneak peek into his latest music production. Carl Bergé Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/carl.berge44/ SoundCloud 🎶 https://soundcloud.com/carlberge YouTube 🎶 Hör 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ooyx-b_zkY Hör 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2twGOSPB0g ======================= 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:04:50 – Roman’s Background and Journey into Electronic Music 00:07:30 – First Experiences with Club Culture in Australia 00:12:15 – Nightlife in Melbourne vs Berlin 00:17:00 – The Social Energy of Nightlife 00:22:05 – Roman’s Transition from Rap to DJing 00:27:10 – Building a Set 00:31:30 – Reading the Crowd 00:36:00 – The Value of Music and Club Culture 00:42:30 – Balancing Work and Personal Enjoyment in the Industry 00:46:10 – Roman’s Ideal Festival Experience 00:54:00 – Hosting a Stage at Feel Festival 01:03:00 – The Story Behind [coconut.concepts] 01:09:30 – Memorable Moments with [coconut.concepts] 01:15:00 – Marketing in the Music Industry 01:27:30 – The Importance of Personal Branding for Artists 01:38:00 – Finding Inspiration and Staying Creative 01:45:00 – Lessons Learned 01:53:00 – Explaining Music to an Alien 01:55:00 – Roman’s Upcoming Release: "Feel Like a Winner" ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... Production: Shtrayfix events Hosts: David Lavrič, Jurij Jovan Intro track: ASTWØ - Cyber Theft David Lavrič 📷 https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth 📷 https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ SHTRAYFIX EVENTS Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ TikTok 🎶 https://www.tiktok.com/@shtrayfix_events ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

How To Make Your Event Smell Better? (Rowan Goejiers) — Backstage #37

In the 37th episode of the Backstage Podcast David and Jurij spoke with Rowan Goejiers, a friend they met on a vinyl market while working on their entrepreneurial exchange in Berlin back in 2022. Since then Rowan has worked on countless events as production crew, gaining skills in building up stages of various sizes, shapes and decorations. All while observing the broader needs of event management. Following his passion for music and big events and seeing the product market fit, he now founded his own brand Supreme Scents, which focuses on providing various smells to enhance the experience of eventgoers. Rowan shares his insights into psychology of scents and their benefits at the events. Expect to learn why scents are a powerful tool to evoke emotions, enhance memories, and create an overall pleasant environment. Rowan Goejiers Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/rowan_goeijers/ ======================= TBA timestams ======================= Mentioned in the episode: Supreme Scents https://supremescents.nl/en Vinyl Market Berlin https://www.thevinylmarket.de/ ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... Production: Shtrayfix events Hosts: David Lavrič, Jurij Jovan Intro track: ASTWØ - Cyber Theft David Lavrič 📷 https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth 📷 https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ SHTRAYFIX EVENTS Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ TikTok 🎶 https://www.tiktok.com/@shtrayfix_events Facebook 📘 https://www.facebook.com/shtrayfix ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

Backstage Dos and Don'ts, Artist Care and Paradiso Club (Silla Van Reenen) — Backstage #36

In the 36th episode of the Backstage Podcast, we sat down with Silla van Reenen, junior booker at Paradiso, to dive into the dynamic world of event management, bookings, and the electronic music scene in the Netherlands. Silla shares her journey from interning at festivals to coordinating artist logistics for major events like the Verknipt Festival. We explore the day-to-day life of a booker, the balancing act between club and festival programming, and the unique Dutch festival culture that welcomes ravers of all ages. Silla gives insights into her work in artist management, including the challenges of stage management, the growing role of women in the music industry, and the importance of staying true to yourself in a fast-paced, competitive scene. We also discuss the rise of hard techno, shifting music trends, and the delicate art of crafting the perfect lineup. Whether you’re an aspiring booker, a festival enthusiast, or curious about the behind-the-scenes of music events, this episode provides a genuine look at the vibrant festival landscape and what it takes to make events run smoothly. Tune in for stories, tips, and a peek into Silla’s world, where passion meets professionalism. Silla Van Rennen Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/sillavanreenen/ ======================= TBA timestams ======================= Mentioned in the episode: Club Paradiso https://www.paradiso.nl/en/subbrand/club-paradiso/97 Verknipt Festival https://www.verknipt.org/ ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... Production: Shtrayfix events Hosts: David Lavrič, Jurij Jovan Sound: Jurij Jovan / Etmoth Post production: Maks Hribar Intro track: ASTWØ - Cyber Theft David Lavrič 📷 https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth 📷 https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ SHTRAYFIX EVENTS Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ TikTok 🎶 https://www.tiktok.com/@shtrayfix_events Facebook 📘 https://www.facebook.com/shtrayfix ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

Creating Your Own Label and Avoiding the Trap of Comparison (Selective Response) — Backstage #35

In the 34th episode of the Backstage Podcast, our guest was Kane, known as Selective Response, hailing from Los Angeles. Kane delves into the journey of creating his own label, Crisis of Men, shedding light on the inspiration behind it and sharing some invaluable organizational tips that keep him on track daily. Tune in to discover why comparing yourself to others is a dead-end, how to break through creative blocks, and the crucial balance between physical and digital releases. Selective Response Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/selectiveresponse1/ Soundcloud 🎶 https://soundcloud.com/selectiveresponse1 ======================= TBA timestams ======================= Mentioned in the episode: Crisis of Men https://www.instagram.com/crisisofmanofc/ https://soundcloud.com/crisisofmanofc Parallel Visions https://www.instagram.com/parallel.visions.label/ Perc https://www.instagram.com/perctrax/ Dax J https://www.instagram.com/daxj1/ ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... Production: Shtrayfix events Hosts: David Lavrič, Jurij Jovan Sound: Jurij Jovan / Etmoth Post production: Maks Hribar Intro track: ASTWØ - Cyber Theft David Lavrič 📷 https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth 📷 https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ SHTRAYFIX EVENTS Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ TikTok 🎶 https://www.tiktok.com/@shtrayfix_events Facebook 📘 https://www.facebook.com/shtrayfix ======================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

Booking Management and Effective Communication (Niels Van Loo) — Backstage #34

In the 34th episode of the Backstage Podcast, our guest was Niels Van Loo. Dutch-born and Berlin-based, Niels began his musical journey in 2018 as an intern at the renowned Amsterdam venue De School. Later that year, he moved to Berlin and joined the artist agency Odd Fantastic as a production assistant. His responsibilities included booking travel, arranging visas, organizing tours, and managing all production-related matters. Currently, he works at Frills as a booking manager, handling bookings for Tom Trago, Parallx, Afem Syko, Miura, gome, and Alva. Once a year, he also takes on the role of artist care at the Crave Festival in The Hague. In this episode, you’ll learn about Niels' approach to global bookings, how he remains effective under pressure, and the importance of maintaining respectful communication, regardless of the circumstances. Niels Van Loo Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/nielsvanloo/ Linkedin 👔 https://www.linkedin.com/in/niels-van-loo-0353598a/ ======================= TBA timestams ======================= Mentioned in the episode: De School Amsterdam https://www.instagram.com/deschoolamsterdam/ Crave Festival https://www.instagram.com/thecravefestival/ Frills https://www.frills.de/ ======================= SUPPORT THE PODCAST Paypal 💙 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lavricdavid?country... Production: Shtrayfix events Hosts: David Lavrič, Jurij Jovan Sound: Jurij Jovan / Etmoth Post production: Maks Hribar Intro track: ASTWØ - Cyber Theft David Lavrič 📷 https://www.instagram.com/david_shtrayfix/ Jurij Jovan / Etmoth 📷 https://www.instagram.com/etmoth_/ SHTRAYFIX EVENTS Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/sfx_events/ TikTok 🎶 https://www.tiktok.com/@shtrayfix_events Facebook 📘 https://www.facebook.com/shtrayfix ============================================= Backstage podcast talks about the behind the scenes of the music industry. It's purpose is to share personal experiences and distribute knowledge of our guests among other industry professionals and entertain music enthusiasts whose interests go beyond just partying.

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