Berlin-based techno artist, producer and Kuukou Records founder Simina Grigoriu returns with her latest single, “Command” a powerful statement built around precision, intensity and a deep connection to the dancefloor. Released on her own label, the track explores themes of ownership, responsibility and trusting your instincts, while continuing her distinctive balance of raw rhythmic energy and refined sonic detail. We caught up with Simina to talk about “Command”, Berlin, the evolution of techno, social media, dancefloors and staying true to yourself in an ever-changing scene.
Interview With Simina Grigoriu:
“Command” feels like a strong statement. What does this track represent for you as an artist right now?
Command. Command is about ownership and responsibility. It’s about taking responsibility for your creativity, your choices, and your decisions. I’m at a point in my life where I trust my instincts deeply, and there’s no room for outside noise. I am commanding my field. I am commanding my dimension, and my reality renders. That is what we do. Command.
You’ve been part of the Berlin techno scene for years. Do you think Berlin still has the same influence on techno that it once had?
I love Berlin. I’ve been here for a long time. Berlin will always be important to techno music. It’s essentially techno town. Detroit, yes, but also Berlin. And it’s because of the history, the culture, the freedom. But techno is global now, and incredible music exists everywhere. Berlin, though, has something that cannot be described. When people talk about the Berlin techno vibe, it’s not something you can really describe. You can maybe draw an image in your mind or look at some pictures, but it’s nothing you can truly understand until you feel it and experience it for yourself. There’s a rawness here, there’s a weirdness here, there’s something about Berlin that just can’t be described. And it’s special. I hope it never disappears.
Techno has become much more mainstream in recent years. Do you see that as a positive evolution, or do you think something has been lost along the way?
Both, I would say. Both. It’s really amazing that the music has grown and that artists have so many opportunities these days. But whenever something becomes mainstream, there’s always a risk of losing that spark, that thing that made it special to begin with. It could become diluted. And, you know, techno has always been about individuality, about freedom. I think a lot of music genres and subgenres, whatever you want to call them, a lot of these little pockets of music developed in that way. And I hope that we never lose that, no matter how mainstream anything gets. I hope that we always keep that specialness that made techno what it was at the beginning.
Do you think DJs and producers are becoming too focused on trends, algorithms and social media instead of making music that will actually last?
Well, yeah, I mean, this with social media, this is is nothing new and we’re just getting into it. When you consider how long it’s been around and how long we’ve been around, it is relatively new still. But there’s definitely a pressure to constantly feed the algorithm. And I hear this from more and more artists every single day. It’s not just that social media is part of the job, it almost has become the entire job. And that’s the sad part, because it takes away from actually the whole entire creativity, what we do. But it is part of the job. And, you know, it’s a two edged sword. There are there are DJs artists that you will never hear of, because they have no online presence. And there are DJs that have skyrocketed to fame overnight because of one viral video. But in reality, they can’t mix two, you know, they can’t string two records, should their life depend on it. It happens. And I think a true artist knows the difference between, you know, someone who’s faking it and somebody who’s famous online and somebody who’s truly got that talent. But, you know, great music is great music, and it should have a life far beyond some 15 second clip.
How do you feel about the fact that dancefloors seem to be becoming more about phones and filming than actually dancing? Do you think we’re losing the real connection between music and the crowd?
Yeah, I mean, look, this is pretty sad to see like amazing shows and all you see is just phones in the air. It’s hard to watch as somebody who grew up not having that, you know, like we grew up in the 80s and 90s. That didn’t exist. My kids today, they play with phones. I didn’t have that as a kid. When I went to concerts, like we didn’t even bring cameras. And when we were clubbing, we had like cyber shots. So it was like a different story. But yeah, sometimes yes, I mean, I completely understand wanting to capture a moment. But there is a difference between filming, you know, filming something and being present. And filming a short video is different than filming every second of your experience. When it comes to that, then yeah, you’ve totally missed the moment. And also the videos are never great. Like, why would you want to film all that? Just like be there. Anyway, that’s just me. But I believe the magic is when people are dancing, you know, sweating, completely lost in the music. That’s where the magic is. So I want people inside my set. I want people there with me. I don’t mind if they film me. I don’t mind if they’re there. And it’s great. But but ultimately, the DJ wants the people to be involved as much as possible. And that doesn’t mean putting the camera in your face.
When you’re not Simina the DJ and label boss, who are you? What do you do to switch off from the techno world?
Who am I outside of being a DJ and producer? Well, first and foremost, I am a woman. I’m a woman. I’m a woman that I’m still building and discovering and developing and learning, and I like her. I’m a mom. I’m a mom, first and foremost. My life outside of touring, playing, travelling, this is, you know, very grounded. I just love being home with my kids. I love being around them. They’re just amazing. They’re my little blessings. And I think the balance of having that and bringing, you know, that love into this household, this is what I’m here to do. I’m here to play music and give love. And I love being home, and I love being rooted in myself. I think it’s really important. This is one of the most important things I learned in the past years is just being deeply rooted in yourself and in your decisions. This is not something that’s going away. It’s not an era. It’s who I am now, being so deeply rooted in myself and in my own trust that no matter which move I make, it’s going to be the right one. And that’s something not new, but I’ve developed her recently. It’s part of my character file now. That’s who I am.
