Read Further - The Edit - Grabo'sky
An introduction, please … who are you, where are you, and what pays the bills?
My name is Istvån Szilågyi. I’m a DJ and producer under the name Grabo’sky. I’m originally from Debrecen, Hungary but have Iived in Budapest for a long time. My day job is landscape gardener
Where was the mix recorded, and what is the inspiration behind it?
The mix was recorded in my flat and I made it for your request. I have numerous mixes recorded that are slower, down-tempo, psychedelic stuff but this time I wanted to show what kind of style I usually bring when I play live at parties.
Strictly vinyl? Strictly digital? Couldn’t care less?
I only play digital these days. I had a large collection of vinyl but I don’t buy them anymore. Actually I used to have 4 of the tracks from this mix on vinyl as well.
‘Balearic’, seems to be a somewhat overused term these days, but if you had to – and we are asking you to – describe the essence of ‘Balearic’ in one record?
That’s not an easy one. I like Balearic but it’s hard to describe it in words as a style. When I hear it then I can tell if it is ‘Balearic’. It has a certain specific vibe; definitely a summery & floaty feel, but certainly not cheesy. Not latin, but still with a Mediterranean atmosphere.
Favourite place you’ve travelled to? And why?
I haven’t been outside Europe yet but I have done my fair bit of hitchhiking all over the continent. Amsterdam was magical at the time.. It was like a dream being there. I would have liked to live there back in those times.
Sunset or Sunrise? And the best place to experience it?
Both. The best place to experience them could be different to everybody but for me sunset by the ocean is unbeatable.
Most embarrassing record(s) you’ve bought? Most expensive? And your best bargain bin finds you’ve digged out over the years?
The most embarrassing is probably Brother Beyond – The Harder I Try… I used to like it as a kid so I bought it. I never played it in public though! The one I’ve bought and played too was Cheri Cheri Lady from Modern Talking, instrumental version in +8 . I usually didn’t pay too much for a used record but once I gave 3 times the value of a new EP for a second hand one, Wulf ‘n Bear – Body Music Revisited (2020 Vision Remix).That is the No.1 track for me. I also exchanged a good few records for Francisco- Music Business LP. I was at a friends place before a party that I had to play at so I had my records with me. We were just showing records to each other when he spinned this one. I made my mind up right there on the spot that I would not leave his house until I have that record! He did not want to sell it so I had to pay a lot for that too at the end!
The cheapest record I’ve found was an original New Order – Blue Monday EP for 10p. from a mouldy garage. I’ve sold that for way more later.
Favourite DJ you’ve heard play out over the years?
The best DJ that I’ve ever seen was John Carter back in the days of the Big Beat-fever, about 20 years ago in Budapest. Music wise there was a lot of DJs that I liked more over the years but the way he could lead the crowd and take care of the atmosphere was exceptional and not many DJs are able to do that so well.
Anything else we should know about you or what you are up to … and do you have a track listing for the mix you provided?
I’ve been DJing for 21 years now and started producing music about 7 years ago. I kicked off with re-edits, made tons of them but I soon realized that I slipped into making my own tracks. My first LP titled “W”was released at Manamana Records, mainly downtempo, trip-hop, leftfield electronica too. You can pick that up here. You can also follow my other channels; YouTube, and SoundCloud.
Tracklist:
1. Dubious – Soft Company (Silver City Remix)
2. Phunktastike – Leisha’s World (Westlake Remix)
3. Giorgio Moroder – The Chase (Martin Brodin Remix)
4. The Spirals – Permission To Fly
5. Kris Menace & Fred Falke – Fairlight Pt 1 & Pt 2
6. Marbeya_Sound – Paseo Por Dhoa (Sare Havlicek Tight mix)
7. Lou Teti – Dream Out
8. Silver City – Polytechnics
9. Romin – Ropeburn (Future Bones Remix)
10. Wolf N Flow – The Liason
11. 2020 Soundsystem – Ran
12. Dan Wainwright – Kabila Ngoma
13. Nile Delta – Achilles
14. Bottin & Rodion – Shooting Star (Toomy Disco remix)
15. Golden Bug – El Dorado
Thanks to Grabo’ for taking the time out to answer these questions.
