Exclusive interview with Claudia Cazacu for WePlayTechno.com
Claudia Cazacu has positioned herself as a very highly anticipated artist in the Electronic Dance Music scene which does not come as a surprise knowing that she’s World’s #1 Female DJ and the only female DJ in the top 100 (DJ Mag)! Claudia is not only a great DJ she’s also an amazing producer and her label “Couture” has received support from many major names including Tiesto, Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Sander van Doorn, Above & Beyond and many others. We Play Techno wanted to find out a little more about the queen of trance so we got an all exclusive interview with Claudia.
Claudia Cazacu Interview
1. Probably an overrated question that you hear many times but we have to ask this; how did it all begin?
My love for music made me choose this path in life. There is nothing more wonderful than being able to express your feeling through music. After years of spending my weekends attending some of the greatest parties I decided I actually wanted to be on that stage in front of the crowd. I got a pair of decks, started by practicing 8 hours a day and after a year I had my first gig in Amsterdam.
2. When you were a little girl, who did you dream of becoming? (Don’t say “princess”)
Actually princess has never been on my list. It seemed like a very boring life for me. I am the kind of person who needs action all the time. I dreamt of so many things when I was a little girl. One day I wanted to be a doctor, the other a singer, the other a pianist…you name it and I dreamt of it all, but never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined I would choose to be a dj.
3. You started DJing in 2006 and by 2010 you became the World’s No1 Female DJ (and the only female DJ on the top 100), what’s your secret for achieving that kind of success?
I don’t think it’s a secret. When you wish for something with all your heart, you put all your energy in achieving that dream, when you work hard and you’re willing to make sacrifices, then you will be where you want to be. Anything is possible; you just have to believe it.
4. How did it feel, getting an award like that?
It feels absolutely amazing. It’s a wonderful feeling of happiness and fulfillment and I would like to thank everyone who supported me along the years and made this possible for me.
5. You started your own label brand “Couture” back in 2007 which proved to be rather successful. Why did you start your own label?
I started Couture because I wanted to have the freedom of releasing what I wanted when I wanted. Since last year Couture has been signed to the Dutch label Spinnin leaving me to A&R’s, which allows me more time to concentrate on the music side rather than the paper one.
6. How is “Couture” doing today? Signing any hot new artists we should look out for?
There are a lot of artists coming out soon on Couture but you will have to keep an eye out for this as I can’t give you too many details at the moment.
7. You have a monthly radio show, “Haute Couture”. How do you select the tracks you will play during the broadcast? How can a new DJ get his track played by you?
I absolutely love putting together a radio show, as it gives me the freedom of expressing myself musically. My radio show and podcast contains everything, from tech to house, uplifting and even dubstep. I love playing with all these genres. It takes me quite few days to go through hundreds of promos and tracks and to cut them down to the best 25, but I love listening to music all the time. For any promos that you guys would like played in my radio show and podcast, please email me at couture@claudiacazacu.com
8. Claudia, you live in London right now, right? Do you plan to move to another country any time soon or you really enjoy the UK?
I love UK, it’s my home, I loved this place from the moment I got here 13 years ago, but I have to admit, the only thing I don’t like about this place is the weather. I just can’t stand so much rain and cold anymore. I am lucky that I get to travel all the time, but still gets me down when I get back to London. My ideal place to move to would be California, where you get the sun 12 months a year, so who knows, one day maybe.
9. What’s “HOME” for you, Romania or UK? Why?
UK is my home now, but Romania is my home from home, as I still have my family and all my friends there and I love to go back every time I get the chance to.
10. You travel a lot (and I mean A LOT!!!) all over the world, how do you beat the jet lags?
I absolutely love traveling, but who doesn’t? I have 2 methods of beating the jetlag: first is getting myself into a work zone, where I keep on working in the studio or anything music related. That gets my adrenaline going and my body forgets that is tired. The second one and to tell you the truth I do prefer this one is to sleep it off for about 18 to 22 hours. I absolutely love sleeping.
11. Since WePlayTechno.com (WPT) is based in Montreal and you have visited us already, we have to ask: What do you think of Montreal, its people and the nightlife? Also how does it compare to other North American cities when it comes to Music scene?
I loved Montreal and I was happily impressed with its night life, with its variety and non-stop partying. I couldn’t believe it how much was going on in one night in the city. When I was there last summer there were so many parties we didn’t’ know where to go first. I could say that is one of the few cities I visited that never sleeps and I just can’t wait to be back.
12. You recently played at the amazing A State of Trance 500 in Den Bosch, how did you like the ASOT experience?
It was an incredible experience that will stay with me forever. It is one of those nights that you go back in time and think about it all the time. I was excitement, happiness, adrenaline…everything together.
13. Can we expect you to play at the ASOT 550?
I guess will just have to wait and see.
14. If you could stage a huge EDM event, where would you choose and why?
I would probably go for Egypt as I am fascinated with that place and everything related. I would actually love to have it inside the pyramid if that would be possible. If not, even in the desert, as I could recreate a scene of the ancient Egypt.
15. Which DJ/Producer inspires you the most?
There are quite few names out there that represent an inspiration for me, the real pioneers of the industry that seem to understand music on a higher level like Tiesto, John Digweed, Car Cox to name a few.
16. What is your all-time favourite track?
Empirion – Narcotic Influence – an absolutely amazing classic that drives the crowd crazy everytime I drop it.
17. We often associate music with certain memories, things that happened to us. Can you tell us, if you would close your eyes and listen to this track, Empirion – Narcotic Influence in your case, what images would you play in your head?
This track reminds actually of my brother. He used to live with me in London for few years and we used to go out every weekend and this was “our track”.
18. When all the partying is over, how do you relax?
I love laying on my sofa in my pajama and watch TV. I don’t get this too often, as I am always traveling, so these moments are very precious to me. It’s all about relaxation and recharging my batteries.
19. What advice would you give to up and coming Dj’s?
Believe in yourself, focus on what you’re doing, work hard and don’t let anyone put you down. This is the key to success.
20. What do you think of music blogs and forums? Do you think the EDM scene benefits from them? Do you follow any blogs/forum? Will you read the WePlayTechno?
If I have the time, I like to be present on forums. Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen very often, but I do take my time to reply to my facebook messages and comments.
Of course I will read WePlayTechno, it will feature my interview, right? 
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Thank You, Claudia once again for this interview and all the amazing things you do for the EDM scene. To all the fans, you can catch Claudia’s monthly radio show “Haute Couture” on DI.fm every 1st Friday of the month, 2p.m.-4p.m (EDT).
DI.FM – 1st Fri of the month,19:00 – 21:00pm GMT
SENSE.FM – 2nd Fri 17:00 – 19:00pm GMT
CLUBBERY.FM – 2nd Sat 15:00 – 17:00 GMT
PURESOUND.FM – 3rd Tue 22:00 – 24:00 pm GMT
TRANCESONIC.FM – 3rd Tue 18:00 – 20:00pm GMT
DANCERADIO.GR – 3rd Thurs 22:00 – 24:00pm GMT
1MIX.CO.UK– 3rd Thurs 22:00 – 24:00 pm GMT
RADIOTRANCE.RO – 3rd Fri 19:00 – 21:00 GMT
PLANETMUSICLIVE.NET – 3rd Sat 20:00 – 22:00 GMT
TRANCE LUMINOSITY – 3rd Fri 20:00 – 22:00
SENSATION FACTORY – 4th Tues – 20:00 – 22:00 CET
MEDELIN FM – last Sat – 20:00 – 22:00
Sick, thanks Claudia :))
Sunt fericit si multumit , -Esti talentata si sper ca asa vei fii mereu, Viitorul este mai frumos si visez ca antro bunazi sa te revad ,.:)*