As the summer draws to a close we head on over to the shores of Ibiza for a little extended sunshine. Whilst the UK summer has been a wash out for most parts, Ibiza has been baking in the Mediterranean heatwaves leading to a scorching and memorable season for locals and tourists alike. We therefore welcome the fabulous Greta Levska to the series to shine some warmth and light to us disgruntled weather deprived Northern Europeans.
Lithuanian-born, London-raised and now Ibiza-based Greta has a rich multicultural background that feeds into the music she makes and plays. She has released a wealth of new music this year on Shall Not Fade and a recent release on Steve Bug's Berlin-based Poker Flat. In addition, she is also resident each and every Monday at Gorgon City & Danny Howard’s Amnesia Ibiza residency this summer as well as playing further dates for the world-renowned club’s own in house party Pyramid. We caught up with Greta after a fabulous year to find out more!
Hi Greta, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Hey guys, thanks for having me. This week has been another scorcher out here in Ibiza. We celebrated week 10 of my Amnesia Residency on Monday, which is mad as the season seems to be flying by! Yesterday I chilled out at the beach watching the sunset with a pizza & beer.
How did you get into making music? I've been surrounded by music since I moved over to London in 2015. Since then I started going out, loving what London's scene had to offer. I then started to DJ around 6 years ago but nothing too serious, just the odd house party or small cap venues.
I then started to make my own music as I really wanted to start playing my own stuff out & I’ve been flat out ever since, constantly learning & growing into my sound.
You have travelled a bit, having been born in Lithuania, then raised in London and are now living in Ibiza. Tell us more about your journey and your time in London.
Looking for more excitement, I moved to London in my teens. London was amazing, I loved it for so many years, always something going on especially the music scene! I used to be out every other night hitting places like “The Nest” & “Passing Clouds” in Dalston, which sadly are no longer!
Then in all honesty I kind of got a bit tired of the constant rush that London feels like & when I came for my first season in Ibiza I knew this would be the place I'd really be able to grow. 4 years later I'm here in Ibiza all year round & both summer and winter still amaze me!
You mentioned a few of your favourite London haunts. Where were some of your other favourite places to go out/play in London/the UK and now Ibiza?
As I said I used to love Passing Clouds & the nest but also Dalston Superstore where I caught people like 2 Bears, Mak & Pasteman & more. In Ibiza I love to go to Akasha, which is also one of my favourite places that I’ve played and of course Amnesia where I now hold my residency. I was in there every other night last season.
You are a resident in Ibiza now. Where can people catch you play?
Amnesia every Monday with Gorgon City, Danny Howard & Sonny Fodera is where it's at! Looking towards next year I’ll be heading up the Get Physical Parties here on the island.
How long have you been on the White Isle and where are some of your favourite spots?
I've been an all-year-around resident for the last 3 years & have found some incredible spots! I love Japanese food & there’s a place called Nagai which is THE BEST! I also like to go to small beach side places like Es Pueto in Cala De Bou. You can literally dip your feet in the water while eating. It has an authentic local flair and has not got increased prices despite everything else going up on the island!
I recently also found a little beach spot called Cala Codolar, which is on the south west of the island, really hard to get to but makes it a less busy place in the summer where everywhere else is packed.
You recently released on Steve Bug's label Poker Flat. Tell us more about that.
I've been a huge fan of Poker Flat for years, one of my all time favourite releases is from the Martini Bros - "Data Man”. As you can probably sense, heavily inspired by Electro & my new EP “Flex” on the amazing Poker Flat Recordings, expresses my sound & what I love to make & play.
I try to infuse the inspiration of what I play in my sets into my productions, keeping a dark mysterious feel, which I really think I achieved here with my "Flex '' EP.
What else can you tell us about future releases, anything exciting in the pipeline?
I continue with my Amnesia Presents Residency every Monday, which has been absolutely incredible so far! I also have a monthly boat party in the south of the Island, which have been sold out events!
Musically, I have my first remix landing in September for Get Physical Music, which was so fun to do. Also music scheduled for the rest of the year on Get Physical & UTTU’s Dance Traxx so please keep your eyes peeled.
Where was your first gig and how did it go?
I've been a bedroom DJ for years, playing house parties & the odd small party when I lived in London. It wasn't until I got to Ibiza I really tried to make the transition & luckily enough the Amnesia team were looking for a new resident to host "Amnesia Presents" on Mondays….I was so nervous playing on the terrace that I’ve been on the other side of the DJ booth for so long, but the opening party was just spot on! I've since picked up sets with Pyramid with Raxon & Maceo Plex which were incredible shows.
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
I love DMX Krew, NO_IP, Raxon, Trutopia, Anthony Rother, Dukwa, Last Magpie, JoJo, OMRI., Corbi - there are so many people I'm loving, the list goes on!
What are your go-to labels?
PokerFlat, Get Physical, UTTU, Shall Not Fade, Permanent Vacation, 2020 Vision, Gudu, CPU Records, Rekids, Step Recordings.
You have compiled our latest Berlin Mixtapes Series Episode 053 - Tell us more about your mix.
I had so much fun doing this mix so thanks for having me! Im pretty addicted to digging for new music, or music that’s old but I’ve not been across both yet & this mix delves between old and new. I also threw in a couple of track IDs from myself, which are fresh out of the studio.
Thanks for spending some time with us, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?
Huge fan of the mix series so thank you so much for having me on. If I make it to Brighton or Berlin anytime soon I'll hit you up! Also I have my “Jungle Maniac” remix out September 1st, please go support if you're into the sounds!
Big love from Ibiza/ Greta Levska xx
Exciting stuff! It's been an absolute pleasure talking with you. Next up here's the Quickfire Round: Genre: ELECTRO
Favourite Colour: Black
What do you put on your chips? Salt
Apple or Android?: Apple
First album ever bought: OutKast - ATLiens
Can you juggle?: Only on a Wednesday
Do you collect anything?: Music Favourite place to hang out: Local bodega Favourite club: Amnesia
Favourite Bar/Pub: El Kiosko (Cala De Bou) Favourite Beer: Heineken
Favourite place to eat: Nagai Ibiza
Weirdest thing you've eaten: I'll eat anything, weird & wonderful :)
Coffee or Tea: Coffee
Favourite Track right now: Model 500 - OFI (old but gold)
Favourite word: Apparently
3 words to describe your mix: Electro Compulsive Therapy
Tracklist
Greta Levska - ID
Peletronic - Riddim & Bassline (DMX Krew Remix)
Viikatory X Manao - FULLRANGER
Anthony Rother - Destroy Him My Robots
Greta Levska - ID
Robotman - Do Da Doo (Original Mix)
Raxon - Kryptonite (Original Mix)
Duncan Forbes - Santa Cruz Roller Coaster (DMX Krew Remix)
Greta Levska - ID
Dukwa - VoX
Greta Levska - Radio Gretaaa
Felipe Valenzuela & Dorian Paic - Deteriorate
Trikk feat. Gabriel Massan - Mata Mata (Working Men's Club Remix)
Desert Sound Colony - Infinite Strikes