[NEW MUSIC] SATORI 'LALAI' CROSSTOWN REBELS
Satori
Djordje Petrovic · Dutch · Serbian & South African heritage · Crosstown Rebels · Heart, IbizaHe carries a kalimba, a kora and a flute into the booth, and what comes out is a dancefloor that feels like church. Music brings brotherhood and sisterhood, and there is a level of surrendering that no politician can speak to.
Satori (Djordje Petrovic) is a Dutch electronic music producer and DJ renowned for blending groove-laden electronica with live instrumentals and world music. From an eighteen-month residency at Heart, Ibiza, to nearly four hundred thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, he is a truly worldwide artist. Having been championed by Damian Lazarus early in his career, he has emerged as a must-see live act, with acclaimed releases on Crosstown Rebels, Sol Selectas and DGTL Records.
Incorporating his Serbian and South African heritage, he crafts a meditative and earthy sound, frequently performing with kalimba, kora and flute. In 2022 he launched his own label, Maktub Records, home to his exclusive collaborations and projects including The Band from Space.
“Music brings brotherhood and sisterhood on the dancefloor. It creates a world where people can let go and feel free. There is a level of surrendering that is very similar to going to church and surrendering to the holy spirit.”
A lullaby on one side. Heavy electronics on the other.
“The song is sung by Iranian opera singer Ariana Vafadari. Initially, she wrote the lyrics for her son, for when she takes him to bed, but eventually we gave it a broader meaning. It became more of a goodbye song, representing the letting go of a person, or the letting go of the day into night.”
“The two extremes of the track were my inspiration. On one side you have Ariana, the lullaby, which is very delicate and romantic. On the other hand, you have the heavy electronic sounds of beats and synths. It was a big challenge to bring these worlds together, but I am very happy with the result.”
Picasso teaches me the art of remixing.
“Picasso shows me the art of remixing. Matisse and Raffaello teach me to be colourful. Tinariwen: it is all about the polyrhythms and layers of grooves. Also, their vocal performance is very storytelling and stays close to their speaking voice. That is the way I like to sing as well. And Rick Rubin: it is almost a cliche to name him, but it is a cliche for a reason. I love how he allows creativity to flow.”
I do not wait for inspiration. I look for it myself.
“I like to live life, write down notes of inspirations, feed myself with this life energy and then go to the studio and change it into music. I do not want to wait until inspiration comes to me. I look for it myself. It can be anywhere. You just need to dig.”
I am not going to prepare that show. And for a reason.
“I am super excited to do both weekends of Coachella on such a great stage. I feel very free on festivals like that, because the crowd is there to experience an original music show. So it gives me the freedom to improvise and go on an experimental journey with the crowd. I am not going to prepare that show, and for a reason: I want to feel the Coachella crowd and let the music flow how it feels best at that moment.”
“No politician can speak to people the way music does.”
Antakly Projects, originally Ninu Nina, has been in conversation with the most inspiring voices in art, photography, design and culture since 2003. Interview by Leila Antakly. Satori carries a kalimba into the booth, and the whole room becomes a prayer.
All music © Satori / Maktub Records. Thank you to Satori for the conversation.
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Let go and feel free. ✦
