VLAD YAKI — Odessans don’t give up — Interview with the bRAVEs

There are times when negative events that happen in your life force your deepest desires. How else, if not with a positive attitude to look at the world that sometimes burns in flames, believes Vlad Yaki — now a Berlin-based Odessite. Vlad moved to showcase himself as a professional. Living in Berlin, he not only became family to one of the most powerful clubs Ritter Butzke, but also successfully released his production on German labels like JEAHMON! Redux — which is the second imprint of the producer who needs no introduction, Marc DePulse — focuses exclusively on bangers, but also on Jannowitz Records — the imprint of Boho. the bRAVEs spoke (first published on Apr 21, 2024) with Vlad about the magic of Berlin, his latest release with the producer Autoflower and the changes caused by the ongoing war.

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the bRAVEs: You have been living and working in Berlin for two years now. How has your life changed after moving? Did you start producing and DJing immediately?

Vlad: Yes, I have been living in Berlin for two years now. This city was my ultimate goal. In Ukraine, I felt constrained, despite reaching a certain level while touring various cities there. I didn’t feel any growth. At that time, I was already researching Berlin’s nightlife extensively, even though I had never been there myself.

So,

I came here to work and showcase myself as a professional.

That was my goal, and the war accelerated this process.

the bRAVEs: So Berlin has been a desired location for you for some time?

Vlad: In my mind, Berlin was always a city of big events; that’s how I imagined it. I’ve never been to Germany, but I’ve read a lot about Berlin. I can highlight a book that has become my guide to Berlin — it’s (“Lost in Sound: Berlin, Techno, and EasyJet”). And upon arriving here, I realized I wasn’t wrong. I’ve been gaining invaluable experience at every event and in every club.

the bRAVEs: Have you learned to love anything about the city now?

Vlad: Yes, I love this city for its freedom. Here, you can be anyone you want. It’s cool and dangerous at the same time. Haha!

the bRAVEs: If you compare Berlin in early 2022 and early 2024, are there any big changes you can notice?

Vlad: To be honest, I haven’t noticed any changes. Everything remains the same as it was.

Berlin, in my opinion, is timeless. Time flows differently here compared to other capital cities I’ve visited.

the bRAVEs: Ritter Butzke, Kater Blau, Sisyphos — do you have a favorite?

Vlad: Yes, I do have a favorite, and it’s Ritter Butzke. It’s the first club I ever went to, and I even know the names of the security guards there. It’s like home to me now, where I’ve become a new member of the family.

the bRAVEs: You were one of the founders of the Odesa based event series Deeportament Community (Opens in a new window). When and how did it start?

Vlad: Yes, I was the founder of this party. It started in 2013 and quickly became iconic, with 400–500 people attending each time. This attendance number became a familiar figure to me. It was an amazing time; I brought some really cool DJs to Odessa, and I knew every dance floor, having studied each one thoroughly. I came to this party deliberately. I called it the “school of electronic music.” 🙂

the bRAVEs: What was your personal highlight during all this time?

Vlad: The 7th-anniversary party at the Odessa club Port (Opens in a new window) with guest AFFKT (Opens in a new window) from Spain stands out in my memory. It was an incredibly powerful event, and everyone in the room became united as one during the party. It was visible how everyone was connected during the event.

the bRAVEs: Any thoughts about bringing it to Berlin?

Vlad: Yes, I had thoughts of bringing it to Berlin, but I realized that the answer lies in the name of the party — Deeportament COMMUNITY. First and foremost, it’s the people who were and still are the community. They were the gems of the party and created an atmosphere that was truly unforgettable.

the bRAVEs: In 2020 and 2021 you were on the road a lot. Do you miss those times?

Vlad: If I’m honest, yes, I miss it a lot. It was a part of my life that I had been building for many years, working towards this result. But now, even though I’m doing something similar, I believe that soon I will return to my previous schedule of performances.

the bRAVEs: Moving and starting from scratch can be very challenging. Did you already have contacts that helped you start playing and producing in a new city?

Vlad: This task was extremely challenging; almost all of my friends couldn’t stay because of it. But I’m glad that in my journey, I’ve met many amazing DJs from Germany who have helped me a lot. Special thanks for my rapid start goes to Daniele Di Martino (Opens in a new window) and Marc DePulse (Opens in a new window).

the bRAVEs: In February 2024 you released the EP “Yakiflower (Opens in a new window)” together with Autoflower (Opens in a new window), which is based in the Netherlands. How did this fusion come about and how did you master the symbiosis between your styles on the track “What You Want (Opens in a new window)”?

Vlad: This release was quite spontaneous, but in the end, it turned out to be a bomb! My release partner, Autoflower, is a very cool producer. I played with him at KitKat during one of the parties, and there I realized that we would work well together.

the bRAVEs: The EP was released on the Berlin based Jannowitz Records (Opens in a new window). Where did you first meet Boho (Opens in a new window), the founder of the label?

Vlad: It so happened that I was talking to his friend about a completely different matter, but during our conversation, we touched upon the idea of releasing on Jannowitz Records. I immediately started talking to Boho, and our communication turned out to be very warm and pleasant. We still communicate to this day.

the bRAVEs: I can imagine that the song “No More (Opens in a new window)” is causing quite a stir on the dance floors. Is that so?

Vlad: Yes, “No More” is indeed a rocket of a track that has flown around the world and been played at many major festivals. I’m proud of it, and every time I drop it in the club, I feel the same excitement as the first time.

the bRAVEs: In 2016, you released your first songs. How do you think your style has changed since then? Looking back, how do you view your earlier tracks?

Vlad: My style changes every year, reflecting the transformations within me. It depends on many factors, but I’ve noticed that the music I’m producing now has become more aggressive and danceable, which pleases me. It’s all about moving forward, what else can I say? Time to keep moving!

the bRAVEs: What is still your favorite from the first years?

Vlad: I’m glad that my tracks maintain their vibe. This signature style is like a subtle thread that ties the whole story together.

the bRAVEs: The solo tracks on Yakiflower “Picture Color (Opens in a new window)” and the aforementioned “No More” have a kind of aggressive feel, as you also mentioned. Can you explain the circumstances that led to their creation?

Vlad: Right now, I’m filled with a lot of emotions, and unfortunately, not all of them are kind and bright.

I believe that people who communicate through music should be able to express their emotions without pretense and be honest with themselves first and foremost.

Yes, they might be aggressive.

the bRAVEs: Odesa, the city you actually come from, is often under fire from russian forces. What’s going on in your head when hearing about it? Do you still have lots of family and friends there?

Vlad: In Odessa, my entire family is there, and it’s very difficult for me to see everything that’s happening. It’s the best city on earth. But I believe it will endure.

Odessans don’t give up and never have. They will joke and laugh in the face of death until the very end. That’s the Odessa spirit.

I believe that I’ll be able to come back to my hometown soon and hug all of my loved ones.

the bRAVEs: What do you wish for them?

Vlad: I probably want to wish all Odessans to take care of themselves and their loved ones. That’s where the strength of this city lies.

the bRAVEs: You smile a lot in pictures, do you smile often in real life?

Vlad: Yes, I love to smile and joke like a true Odessan. In real life, I’m also quite optimistic, but sometimes I like to retreat into myself and indulge in melancholy. I also adore that state. Perhaps, like all Gemini zodiac signs, haha.

the bRAVEs: Is there a way to keep that positive attitude in times when “the world is burning”?

Vlad: Without positivity, you’ll burn out in this world ahaha

You have to find reasons to smile on your own.

the bRAVEs: Would you say that music, especially dance music, is important during wartime?

Vlad: Music is always important. I’ve sent my tracks and sets to the frontline more than once to lift spirits. With music, it’s easier to go through life, and dance music is rhythm. In this case, for our soldiers, it’s the rhythm of defeating the enemy, and I think they’ve set a good tempo.

the bRAVEs: What else can we expect from you in the near future?

Vlad: I have a lot of plans for releases and parties in Berlin and beyond! I’m trying my best to showcase that the level of Ukrainian artists is very high in all spheres. So, you can expect a lot! In any case, you’ll be the first to hear about the main events!

the bRAVEs: Thanks a lot for your time!

VLAD YAKI
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the bRAVEs — Electronic Music Berlin
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