Berlin Mixtapes 072 - Mihai Popoviciu
- Markus Saarländer
- Jul 17
- 6 min read
It's always a special moment when we get to feature artists that we have loved for many years and have the opportunity to include in our guest mix series. We are very excited to have Mihai Popoviciu onboard for this one!
Every artist has a signature—and Mihai is no exception. For over a decade, the acclaimed Romanian producer and DJ has crafted a distinctive sound defined by deep grooves, sharp precision, and an infectious, understated energy.
In the early ’90s, while electronic music surged through scenes in London, Ibiza, and Berlin, it reached Mihai only in echoes. “We used to record German TV shows onto cassette tapes and play them over and over,” he recalls.
With no clubs, no record stores, and no real dance music culture around him, becoming an electronic artist felt like a distant dream. He pursued architecture and even worked briefly in the field—but his passion lay in house and techno, not actual house-building. While live gigs were still out of reach, he immersed himself in music production, investing in software and churning out tracks—sometimes one a day for months at a time.
The dedication paid off. His first track was signed by International Deejay Gigolo in 2005, opening the door to dozens of releases on influential labels such as Bondage, Still Hot, Highgrade, Poker Flat, Dessous, and John Digweed’s Bedrock. In 2012, Mihai launched his own label, Cyclic, further establishing his presence in the underground scene.
As his production skills matured, Mihai began DJing—first on borrowed decks—and quickly gained recognition, both in Romania and abroad. From growing up watching clubs on TV to playing in them across the world, Mihai’s journey came full circle. His CV now includes iconic venues like Berghain and Watergate in Berlin, Fabric and The Egg in London, D-Edge in São Paulo, and DC-10 in Ibiza.
Through it all, Mihai remains grounded in his mission: to share the joy and energy that music brings him. “It feels great to see people dancing, smiling, having a good time,” he says. “No matter what I do, that’s the main thing.”
We caught up with Mihai to find out more!
Hi Mihai, how are you and what have you been up to this week? Hey! I’m good, thanks for asking. It’s been a busy but productive week with a lot of time spent in the studio working on a remix and prepping for some upcoming gigs by listening to promos, digging through new music and selecting playlists. I also spent quality time with my family.
How did you first get into electronic music?
I discovered electronic music in the mid ’90s through German TV and radio shows. Back then, everything was new and exciting to me. I was fascinated by the sounds, the atmosphere, and the energy. I wanted to become a DJ but because there was no electronic music scene in Romania at that time, I started experimenting with production and never looked back.
Your music has made a huge impact across the House music scene. Do you feel your sound has changed over the years and how do you stay inspired?
Thank you, that means a lot. Yes, the sound has evolved and I think that’s natural. I’m always learning and pushing myself to explore new elements while keeping my identity intact. Inspiration comes from everywhere — other music, moods, places, even silence. I find that taking breaks and coming back with fresh ears also helps a lot.
Where was your first gig and how did it go?
My first gig was in my hometown Sibiu, at a highschool party where I played cassettes. I was super nervous, hands shaking and everything. But once I got into the groove and saw people enjoying the music, I relaxed. It wasn’t perfect technically, but it was one powerful moment that showed me I wanted to pursue this.
You had a new release out on 11 July on Steve Bug’s Sublease Music label. Tell us more about that.
Yes, really excited about this one. It’s a three-track EP that perfectly reflects my sound: deep and groove-driven. Sublease is a label that aligns well with my aesthetic and working with Steve Bug and his team has always been great.
What advice or core principles to follow would you give anyone today who wants to start producing in the House music scene to get noticed and signed?
Focus on developing your own sound rather than copying what’s popular. Be consistent, and don’t rush the process. Also, listen to a lot of music, not just house, expand your ears. And lastly, be patient. Sometimes it takes time to get noticed, but if the music is good and honest, it will connect.
What else can you tell us about your future releases, anything exciting in the pipeline?
Yes! I have another EP coming out later this year on my label Cyclic Records. There’s also a collaboration with Andrey Pushkarev on Berg Audio to be released soon. And I’m working on some remixes in between.
What DJ's or producers are you enjoying right now?
I really like what artists like Nu Zau, Traumer, and S.A.M. are doing lately. They keep things groovy and interesting. There’s so much talent around right now, it’s inspiring.
What are some of your go-to labels?
Sublease, Berg Audio, Bondage Music consistently put out quality music and I am hoppy to be have been releasing music with them.
You have compiled our latest Berlin Mixtapes Series Episode 072 - Tell us more about your mix.
For this mix, I wanted to take listeners on a smooth journey. It’s a blend of deep and dubby house with a few unreleased tracks, some favorites of the moment and of course my three tracks from the Sublease Music release. The vibe is rolling, hypnotic, and warm — something you can listen to in any environment or context.
Where can people see you next?
’ll be playing in Romania in the next weekends at two festivals (Electric Castle and 3SOF), then heading to South America for a mini tour in August — really looking forward to that. Keep an eye on my socials for the full schedule.
Thanks for spending some time with us, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Thanks for having me! Just a quick thank you to everyone who’s supported my music over the years — whether it’s streaming a track, coming to a gig, or just sending a kind message. It really means a lot and keeps me motivated to keep creating.
Quick-fire round:
Genre: Deep House
Favourite colour: At the moment green
What do you put on your chips: Schnitzel 😄
First record ever bought: Some obscure italo disco record
Apple or Android: Apple
Can you juggle: Only with two things 😄
Weirdest/Coolest Item of clothing: A vintage bomber jacket from the ‘90s
If you could have a superpower, what would you choose? Teleportation
What was the last thing you looked up online: Weather forecast for next weekend
Do you collect anything: Drawings from my five year old daughter
What is the most useless talent you have: I can do a pretty accurate cat meow
Favourite place to hang out: Home studio
Favourite club: Stereo Bar, Montreal
Favourite beer: Steigl
Favourite place to eat:Somewhere outdoors in nature with traditional Romanian food
Weirdest thing you have eaten: Jellyfish salad in Asia
How do you like your eggs: Soft-boiled
Coffee or tea: Tea
Favourite footy team: FC Hermannstadt from Romania and Bayern Munich worldwide
Favourite track right now: Mihai Popoviciu - What I Need
Favourite word: Groove
3 words to describe your mix: Groovy, rolling, deep
Tracklist
01. Janeret & Miroloja - Survival (JMR)
02. Viktor Mato - Egyebkent (Phonoda Records)
03. Mihai Popoviciu - What I Need (Sublease Music)
04. Daniel Meister - After Some Time (Andrew Azara Remix) (Elrow Limited)
05. Mihai Popoviciu - Temptation (Sublease Music)
06. Gaap - Babyface (Unreleased)
07. Mihai Popoviciu - Come Out (Sublease Music)
08. Sour District - First But Not Least (Unreleased)
09. Dachschund - The Vision (Mihai Popoviciu Remix) (Tenampa Recordings)
10. Mihai Popoviciu - The Shake (Unreleased)
11. Red 87 - On My Own (Mea Culpa Records)
12. S.A.M. - Right To Disobey (Kalahari Oyster Cult)
13. Karl Lingard - Be Free (Craig & Grant Gordon Remix) (Sands Of Time Records)
#interview #berlinmixtapes #deephouse #mihaipopoviciu #house #housemusic #subleasemusic #newrelease #pokerflat
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