Some events in my personal life have slowed down the completion of the next episode of Sound Propositions, but since it’s been a while since our last mix, in the meanwhile it seemed an appropriate time to share a new one. Balkan signs comes courtesy of my longtime friend and collaborator Stefan Christoff, a Montreal-based musician and community organizer who has created many memorable mixes for this site over the years, here joined by Toni Dimitrov (Acidfake, Private Mountain, Post Global). In addition to his work as a DJ and producer, for over two decades, Toni has run various labels from Skopje, Macedonia, most recently élan vital recordings, “an independent Macedonian music label releasing limited edition of handcrafted CDs and tapes from international artists focused on obscure aspects of sound, accompanied with carefully created artwork and video art.” The label has also released work by Manja Ristić, Carlo Giustini, Michele Andreotti, Sova Stroj, and many others sure to appeal to our readers. And, full disclosure, back in 2021, élan vital released a CD collaboration between myself and Stefan, La Lumière Du Soleil Dans Un Semi Sous-sol. As he’s mentioned before, Stefan has roots in the area along the Macedonian and Bulgarian border, and his music often explores his Balkan heritage. As he explains below, he finally met Toni in person last year while performing around the region. The two chose a number of tracks from across their various projects and collaborations, as well as from other labels (AMEK) and artists (EVITCELES) from the Balkans. Enjoy these Balkan signs! (Joseph Sannicandro)
Stefan writes:
In the fall last year I met Toni Dimitrov for the first time, we connected in Skopje, Macedonia. I had a solo piano concert on the one night that I was there and it was raining so hard. Connecting with and sharing some space with Toni, a prolific ambient musician, during the visit was important. I particularly enjoyed sharing a soup together after the show in an old restaurant.
I am sharing this mix that was put together in the context of Toni and I working on a duet album together. The project is underway and we look forward to sharing it with the world. I love collaborating with Toni for many reasons, but one quickly that comes to mind is thinking about the mountain hikes that Toni regularly takes in the territory, in Macedonia.
Thank you for listening.
TRACKLIST
Biloba Green – “#228B22″
Fayerabend – “Liquid Fear” (Diagnosis of Our Time)
Toni Dimitrov – “The Story of Utopias (Radio Edit)”
Toni Dimitrov – “1984 (Album Edit)”
Amplidyne Effect – “Electric Phase”
Stefan Christoff and Joseph Sannicandro – “Orbiting Mercury in a dream”
krāllār vs сбогом хиляди – “10-19”
Musical Statues – “Sky Eyes”
Anarchist Mountains Trio -“But Who, We” (La terre et la force)
EVITCELES – “Infinite Night”
a closer listen 