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The name Champa aka DJ Prozak will tell some of you something, as he has been in the electronic music scene for more than 24 years. Reason enough to have a talk with him about his music, his career and his label Enterrec.
Short Intro/Bio about you
Uk born DJ & producer CHAMPA a.k.a. DJ Prozak has been a firm fixture on the underground dance scene for nearly 24 years. After wowing the crowds with his uplifting & full-on psychedelic trance sets he has been honing his production skills & stands on the precipice of greatness within the international psychedelic community. Champa produces the kind music that needs to be played loud and danced too with smile upon your face. His live performance is of a high intensity and uplifting vibe. Combine an uplifting attitude with groovy bass lines, funky percussive rhythms and a relentless driving melody and we have serious psychedelic fit for a pan-global audience.
Your life-story and relationship with your work
Tell us a little about you and your work
I have been DJ since 1994 playing a variety of music until now crossing the most dance genres. Having started with jungle garage drum and bass moving on to techno and hard trance progressing to funky house progressive house back to mainstream trance and by 2005 found my way into psytrance. The groove was just so addictive. Between 1999 and mid 2005 I had run and been involved with several successful events and promotions. In 2011 had started my Live project as Champa. A&R and VA compiler for YSE Recordings between 2012-17. Now for the last year have been running my new and upcoming record label “Enterrec”
Currently what projects are you working on? And what future plans have you chalked out for yourself?
I keep pushing the label’s artists that I believe in. I represent them in the best way possible and I fiercely continue promoting the label, to make us known. We have many outstanding releases to come fro artits such as Life Extension, SounDragon,Side Winder, Continue and open Tribe. For myself I’ve just finished a track with Ovnimoon and have a remix to do for Cosmic Vibration. A track with Spirit Architect will be ready by the end of the year.
You obviously love what you do…but what do you love the most about your work?
At the moment looking back at my life so far. Having progressed from an instrument player, to a DJ, to a promoter, to A&R, to compiling many various artist compilations. Producing over 100 tracks. being in continuous communication with artists around the globe. it just let me to the Natural progression of starting my own label. I don’t think I could be in a happier place.
Who or what inspires you to achieve the best results?
Having been around on the scene for many years and seen the struggles and hardship of how it is to be an artist. The most important thing is to continue to be inspired by all aspects around your life. Influences from anywhere your brain navigate towards. We all want to belong, to be in a family, to be in a tribe. What inspires me is to help maybe only a few but some In to a position where we are one together. I enjoy covering many aspects of life and music is My Life. This is my life so I want it to be the best.
Everybody has to start somewhere, usually at the bottom of the ladder, either as the bus-boy or the shoe-shiner. What was the very first job you had?
Runner (Post Production)
What is your second love? What’s the alternative career path you would have travelled if you were not on the one you are right now?
I suppose if music did not take over me I would have continued on my path of Post Production TV Editing.
Party & Music experiences
What was your funniest party experience?
Wow to many to mention. And normally involving the authorities.
What was your best set you have ever played and why?
In 2004 I played to 30,000 Armenian’s at the 2nd International DJ Festival – Yeravan. Certainly an experience I have never forgotten. As in that year it seemed still all so new and fresh to this country. I would also say back in the late 90’s in Bulgaria there were a few events by Metropolis (still going) and Evolution where I certainly wouldn’t forget the people’s passion for the sounds we brought to them.
What makes a (Psytrance) track great for you?
Goosebumps. That’s it. It’s that special tingling on the back of your neck. It travels around your ears and over your eye brows, down your nose, in through your cheeks and up through the centre of your brain. Well.. you know what I mean 😉
Your best release(s) – and why…
The best releases from Enterrec have been all. I would say that. For everyone is a different thing. Personally releasing a track with Talamasca, Remixing Life Extension and Digicult. And then making the most awesome track with a friend and vocalist “Thalia” from South Africa. Our Track “Na’vi” is probably the most amazing piece ever as the words spoken from the language of Avatar. A special place in my heart.
Your best set on Soundcloud or similar website?
Why this is your best set?
My mix for RadiOzora. It covers all my Champa history. And so many memories with every minute of it.
What music do you listen to besides Psytrance – and why?
Everything. Its important to gather influences from all over. From Madonna to Leftfield to Frank Sinatra to Die Antwoord to Tash Sultana. And most of it inspired my psychedelic production.
Share your experiences and your characteristics/personality
Yeah, no one’s perfect, but there’s always something we really like about ourselves…what quality do you like about yourself the most?
Even if it might not always work in my favour. “The truth”. I think my weekness is to keep quiet. But at the same time, My strength is I say it how it is. No bulls**t.
When have you been most satisfied in your life? Care to share one of your happiest memories?
24 years of parties non stop. Its had to nail something down. But performing at the Psychedelic Theatre in Berlin when it was residing at the KitKat Club in Berlin in 2013 for the first time. It brought back memories of 1997 (The best days of Parties).
There’s a book on the shelf. It’s your autobiography. What does the title say?
Take a deep breath. You’ll need it.
Flash-forward in time. You are now really old. What would you tell your children/loved ones?
Live life. Enjoy kindness. Be good. Love all. We are one. Now go back in the shed and roll your gramp’s a big one.
Into the time machine again. What do you miss about being a kid?
Not much, I could’t wait to get older. But I guess when things like the internet were not around. The world seemed so much more mystical. Not to say that I haven’t enjoyed travelling. But when you were young. There was lots you didn’t know about places yet and they were fascinating and normally had cool stories that went with them.
Your hobbies and other fun questions
With all the X-men and heroes running around. Us mortals would like some powers too. What one superpower would you choose?
To be able to stare at someone and them not be able to talk Bulls**t. Hahahaha.
Your relationship with psychedelics
Are you pro-weed culture? Why do you think the majority of the population goes against the green?
It used to be part of our diet 100’s years ago. Just a bunch of wrong people say its wrong. And so most follow. Soon everyone will know the benefits.
Any ideas to rectify this mindset?
They need a smoke to chill. Advice for the readers and fans.
At the end of the ride, everyone’s looking for some form of success (tangible or not), what does success mean to you?
To make people happy and smile.
