After a short stop-off with Lewis Boardman and the Circus crew in Liverpool, the Residents Series takes us to our home away from home – the white isle. Joining this week to give their insights into the art of the resident DJ are a Danish duo emerging in style from under the wing of Steve Lawler; Anëk.
Now a mainstay in the VIVa crew, Anëk have risen from young pretenders to full time VIVa warriors residents, impressing along the way with releases elsewhere on the likes of Resonance, Mile End Records and, most recently, Supernova’s Lapsus Music. The pair have been honing their craft this Summer alongside Lawler and co. in renowned Ibiza hotspot Sankeys, which plays host to the weekly VIVa parties.
Taking time out from a busy schedule, we discussed the “ideal resident dj”, the impact of VIVa and much more!
WWD: Hi ladies. Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us, How are things? What have you been getting up to this week?
Hi, thanks for having us! All is great, thank you. We are enjoying the summer. Just got back from Ibiza 2 days ago. Back home now preparing music for the next trip to Ibiza this weekend.
WWD: A short & sweet question here. Where did you meet first meet?
We went to the same school in Copenhagen in Denmark. We have known each other since we were about 7 years old, but grew really close in our teenage years, when we both connected over electronic music and going out clubbing together
WWD: Tell us a bit how you got involved with VIVa? Where did you first make the connection?
We have known Steve Lawler and VIVa guys for some years, since 2005. But it was only some years later that Steve by chance heard one of our productions and signed a track to VIVa MUSiC.
WWD: Where were you when you were asked to be residents for VIVa warriors?
It didn’t happen overnight. After signing the track and signing to VIVa MUSiC Management, we got asked to play a gig for the first VIVa Warriors at Sankeys Ibiza, and we played a set in the smaller Spektrum room. Second year we got a few more gigs and played the Basement as well. Third and especially now 4th season we became residents.
WWD: In your eyes what skills make for the ideal resident dj?
In our ears you need to have some good experience as a DJ, and a good sense of situation. If you are playing the opening set and people are just only getting in to the club, you have to set the vibe in such a way that people get in the mood for the party, but you are not banging out prime time tracks. We also like to research guest djs previous DJ / Live sets and make sure to play suitable for their sets. We always make sure to add our normal sound / touch in our sets, but will often take things a bit down again, to leave some room for the guest to take over.

WWD: Any lesser-known residents that have impressed you on your travels?
Wow so many, it’s difficult to mention a few. Some that have really stood out for us are some DJ’s in France; David Crops and Tom AP from “Le Carre Coast” Biarritz. We have had a chance to play with them both several times, and they really know how to warm up just the right way. We also played with some guys called Nukov & Yelmet in Belgium. They have a very similar music taste to us and we really enjoyed playing after their sets. They are starting producing their own stuff as well now, so really looking forward to that. They also have their first gig at Destino Ibiza later this summer, so keep an eye out for them.
WWD: How do you think the role of the resident dj is valued today?
It’s definitely not as valued as it was years ago. Things have changed a lot today and having productions as well is a lot more important than just being a DJ. It can be a pity sometimes, because there do exist tons of great DJs, especially resident DJs who don’t produce, but are amazing DJ’s. Just because you are a good DJ doesn’t always mean that you are also great or have an interest in productions.

WWD: Given that you’ve played all around the world, what sets the vibe at a VIVa shindig apart from the other places you’ve played?
The VIVa Warriors parties are really special honestly. We always have a great party within the djs and the crowd seems to pick up and it’s all creating this buzzing vibe together. You can find amazing parties and good vibes many places but the VIVa parties are also special to us because we feel so much at home.
WWD: How would you describe the impact that VIVa has had on your careers?
Such a massive impact. Steve Lawler and the VIVa management are someone that guides and directs us. For many years we worked mostly by ourselves, it can be hard work. It’s nice to have someone you can consider your music family, someone to give you positive as well as negative feedback, – direction that can make you grow as an artist. Having a platform as VIVa and VIVa Warriors is such a great opportunity and we are grateful to be part of it.
WWD: Aside from Sankeys, what are Anek’s favourite clubs to play?
There are so many amazing clubs.. We do love playing in the UK. We had some amazing gigs fx at Motion in Bristol for Nightowl, Rainbow in Birmingham, a really small but amazing gig at Gonzo’s Tea Room for YAYA in Norwich 🙂 Some cool gigs in Belgium for the guys Nukov & Yelmet we mentioned before, making a party called Sirkus and Ovest on the Beach in Sardinia just to name a few… But there are just so many amazing places / clubs, the list could go on.

WWD: What would be your go-to track to fill a dance-floor right now?
Loving the new System2 “Everybody’s Freakin” out on VIVa MUSiC – We will probably play that track in all our sets this summer
WWD: You’ve kindly provided a mix for our resident series, can you set the scene for us?
These are the tunes we play a lot at the moment. It’s a selection of tracks that really reflect our summer so far. Probably very Ibiza inspired as that’s where we have spent so much time already. The scene for this would be sun – parties – beach – clubbing, drink in one hand 😉
WWD: Before we leave you, what are the big dates coming up in your diary for the next few months?
Of course we have all the VIVa Warriors gigs at Sankeys Ibiza almost every Sunday, but we are also playing in London in a few weeks’ time – Solid Grooves – Summer Solstice at Hackney canal side 15th August. Looks like it’s going to be a great one. Then a gig in Copenhagen at a cool club called “Culturebox” 4th Sept, “High Definition Festival” in UK 5th Sept,, a big “VIVa Warriors” show at studio 338 in London 19th Sept, Festival in Belgium end of September. We also have lot more gigs coming up next couple of months in UK – Dubai, Italy, Hungary, Switzerland to name a few places 🙂
Follow Anek: Facebook // Soundcloud