Release Radar: Arapu - Unexpected
When Luciano asked Arapu to hold onto one of his productions for a future Cadenza relaunch, there was no question. Years later, when the time was right, the label was reborn and with it arrived Arapu’s Unexpected EP. Since then, he’s become a regular at Cadenza showcases across Europe, but his story with the label goes back much further. Arapu tells us when he first met Luciano and which Cadenza tracks stand out as his favourites, as well as his take on what’s happening in the Romanian scene, and his thoughts on the growing trend of the back-to-back.
You recently played the closing of the Cadenza Showcase at MOGA Caparica festival, where a brief interruption during your set made headline news! How was the party despite the disruption?
The party was actually really nice. I was already playing when the police came into the booth and made us turn off the music - it was because they said I was playing copyright tracks. When I showed them the proof in my folders that all these tracks were mine, they did apologise. They asked me to start playing again because ten thousand people were booing! So it was very nice to get back to it. It was crazy, the crowd were super happy. At the beginning I didn't want to keep going with the music, but then the promoter came and he said “there’s ten thousand people there, they need more!” So of course, I did and in the end, it was an amazing vibe.
Your Unexpected EP marked your official debut on Cadenza last year and also the rebirth of the label. How did the release come about?
The track ‘Max’ was actually made a long time ago and Luciano was playing it for a while. For a few years he was saying “we have to release it, this has to be the first EP on Cadenza when we relaunch the label!” And so I kept the track for him and added three more. It was the best idea to re-launch Cadenza, it’s a label with so much history. And for the future, I don't know, we didn’t talk about it yet, but for sure something else is gonna come!
Your friendship and collaboration with Luciano began well before your Cadenza debut. How did the connection first come about, and what kind of influence has Luciano had on your journey as an artist?
I first met Luciano a long time ago at Sunwaves, but we were just partying and having fun. When we first properly connected we played back to back together, it was during the pandemic at Cova Santa in Ibiza. People were sitting at the tables, they weren’t allowed to dance. Then of course after five minutes, everybody was dancing on the tables! So that was the first proper meeting, we had a proper connection. For me, he's like a big brother, I learned so many things from him and he’s also supported me a lot. I learned a lot of things about making music, how to interact in the industry - how to do my job, how to be a DJ! I do pick up ideas from everyone that is bigger than me or older, has more experience. Luciano has had quite a bit of an influence on me over the years, even before I met him. Him and Ricardo were like the biggest interest to all of us here in Romania.
You often team up with other artists for b2b sets, and we’re seeing a rise in these kinds of collaborations on lineups. Why do you think the b2b format has become so popular, and what do you personally enjoy most about it?
It's a trend right now for sure. I think it's more interesting for people to see two artists playing back to back. I play most of the time with Priku - it's like a power project, we travel together and it's super interesting because you don't have to prepare, you just have to express yourself and follow each other. If it becomes a contest, it's not good anymore, it has to be for the love of music - you have to follow the other and make a beautiful set. If you start a contest, I'm going to try to play the best track, you're going to do the same, and it's not going to sound good. In my opinion it's interesting for the public also, to see two parties interact, so that's probably why it became popular. But you think I feel right, it's like everywhere, back to back, back to back, and then I'm asking all the time when they say the best, you can play with that guy, you can play with that guy.
You’ve been deeply connected to the Romanian scene for years. How do you personally relate to it, and what changes have you noticed over time?
I’ve always seen myself more as an individual than part of any specific scene. For me, it doesn’t matter where you’re based - I'd be the same person living anywhere in the world. I don’t see myself as being part of a group, I’m just me as an individual. But yeah, a few years ago, it was the peak in Romania, there was a big hype. It was non-stop everywhere, you could play from Thursday right through to Monday! Right now it’s broken down a little bit because of the authorities - they declared the war on drugs, but in the wrong way. Kids are taking drugs from pharmacies which is dangerous, kids are dying. But the authorities have taken the wrong approach, and instead of helping, it’s made things worse. People prefer to stay at home instead of going out to party, because if the police are searching them, it’s destroying their mood. But I think things will relax soon. We just had elections and I think the scene is going to come back for sure.
Are there any specific production techniques or creative habits that define your studio process these days? How would you say your style has evolved over the years?
I don’t have any specific techniques that I’m following - I never start in the same way. The workflow is almost the same of course, it's like finding the sound, trying to make it fit together and then you just record every element and organize the track. But I don't have any specific approach - although the best hours for me to work are between 11pm - 3am, so that’s when I’m most creative. Back in the days I was making music every day but right now, I’m travelling a lot and it's sometimes hard to find the time, but I definitely prefer to work at night. It’s much calmer, like a different energy.
If you had to pick three tracks that capture the essence of the Cadenza sound, which would they be?
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Salif Keita - Yamore (Luciano Remix) [CADENZA09]
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Mirko Loko - Tahktok [CADENZA38]
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Luciano & Quenum - Funky Dandy [CADENZA01]
I’ve played these ones a lot and when I listen to them, I think of Cadenza!
What’s next on the horizon for you? Are there any upcoming releases, collaborations, or projects you can share with us?
The latest one is a release on Solid Grooves that came out on 16th June. I'm also working on an album, I never did an album and I want to do everything different, with maybe seven or eight tracks. There’ll be some to play in the club, but I also want to have some downtempo, some vocals. I’m working on it, I have four tracks so far! I’m also working with Priku on a project for Circoloco Records - just need to find the time, but it's coming!