Elias (CH)

Biography

There is no real shortcut to describe an individual whose thoughts go from A to Z and back when targeting every next move. One of these personalities is about 20 years old Elias and whether it is radio, design or “open to close” sets one can be certain that the artist has tapped into each of these hemispheres: that, over a patient timeline. Born in southern Switzerland, Elias’ roots reside in Milan too. However, search of belonging goes far and wide throughout the countries he’s stepped into since day one. 2009 marked the initial footsteps in music as he visited the studios of local broadcasting network “Radio Ticino”. Years of relentless self training resulted in a well carved body of sound.

Heard in Barcelona, London, Berlin, Zürich, Ibiza and Bali - his sets have been performed on the same stages of artists as Agoria and Carl Cox. 2014 saw Elias being named “Swiss newcomer dj” in an exclusive interview by the Swiss Nightlife Award. While boarding on a flight straight to his UK debut in 2016, magazine Data Transmission stated “Elias has a convergent style that brings new life to techno and his versatile show is a sonic journey into his range of influences.”. The previous mentions along with implacable, rigorous work brought bits of unforgettable moments: playing Space Ibiza’s “terrace” in its last ever season being of these. Elias’ debut release “Enigma” came in the same twelve months, on the same club’s compilation.

Different fields, same efforts: a sense of organised chaos walks on the “fil rouge” of an enthusiastic work named ‘Mirrors’. Founded by Elias in 2014 and identifying itself as a multitude of different projects, all of it started as a series of online podcasts. This beginning evolved into a local radio show on the previously mentioned station of the origins, airing more than 90 weekly episodes and counting. Musicians like Redshape, Traumprinz and Benjamin Damage were never heard on regional frequencies before. ‘Mirrors’ could be seen as a metaphor of Elias’ range of actions and attention to detail while personally curating artworks, promotion, radio programming, identity and bookings. That is the reason why it also ultimately became a local press acclaimed clubbing event. Elias ambitiously saw his own new ‘Mirrors’ club nights as an inner necessity to shake a reinvigorated movement of young and new party goers: essential dancers for a little and threatened local scene.

The first event took place bringing PLAYdifferently’s Japanese ambassador Hito to the decks. Together with the following party set on fire by Belgrade’s 20/44 resident and Dystopian affiliate Tijana T, ‘Mirrors’ started filling local dance floors. It then continued with Italian artist Silvie Loto during the international film festival of neighbour city Locarno, while also giving something back to Elias’ early supporters. Street parties, local collaborations and unusual locations followed - leading up to solid series of “all night long” sessions too. The palette of music gravitating towards the ‘Mirrors’ nights is undoubtedly diverse, keeping accurate and varied selection rather than excessive conformity above all. New music is coming and nothing stops Elias exploring different musical and creative territories on a real daily basis.

Tag: techno, electronic