14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHGRUUVELEMENT'S

Having teamed up on eight previous releases, Romanian-born, London-based GruuvElement’s and Athens-based Manolaco have become a dynamic duo, showcasing their rich house sound on labels like Manda Moor and Sirus Hood’s Mood Child, as well as Damian Lazarus’ Rebellion. With previous tracks championed by renowned artists such as Marco Carola, Maceo Plex, and Chelina Manuhutu, the pair now unveil their next release and head to Ilario Alicante’s Sound D’Elite with the enchanting ‘Kitame’.

Opening the package, ‘Kitame’ is a vibrant track with sultry percussive loops, playful bongos, and lush string sounds, creating a perfect backdrop for those early morning sunrise moments. Next, ‘When You Said’ unfolds with rich melodic chords and expressive melodies, beautifully layered with gentle vocal calls that resonate deeply. The Tribal Version stays true to the original’s essence, infused with a compelling afro-house groove and bubbling, low-end thuds. To close, ‘So Much Better Now’ possesses a quirky allure and offbeat funk, blending dreamy vocals that are hard to resist.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hi guys I’m Mihai, known as Gruuv😊 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

Well not sure whom should I mention, but let’s say Marco Carola haha, I would love to enjoy an espresso together. Why? It is very simple because he was one of the first to play my music. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

To be honest, I would like to be someone who can stop the war all over the world and be part of peace. 

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

I have a lot of preferred movies, and I’m always the person who watches the same movie 3 or 4 times. I would say GLADIATOR is an emotional movie, and when I’m physically down, I’m watching it. 

Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And why?

Luciano was the first one who sent me the “virus” of making music, especially groovy because I liked it when I heard his sets. And then, of course, Marco Carola. After I saw him playing my music in Ibiza, I continued to make more tunes in his style. 

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

So I took it as a game when I first started to learn DJing, and then I said I needed to be different to create my own style. So, I focused on creating my own music and took the time to learn how to produce step by step. I’m not where I want to be at the moment. I have more to learn, but I’m confident that I will be one day. For the moment, I think I’m in a good place.😊 

Q: Everyone goes through ups and downs, what’s one habit you adopt to push through the downs?

Yes, everyone in life, like you said, goes through ups and downs. In my case, if I’m down, I prefer to retreat into music, so I’m locked In the studio creating new beats. I think for me, MUSIC is my ESCAPE in life. 

Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?

If I remember correctly, it was in Greece with my friend Manolaco at DIEGO. The crowd was amazing, the party was fantastic, and the after party was unforgettable. 

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

I believe my music style is heading in the right direction because I’ve received more support from big DJs. I can proudly say that more DJs are playing my style, which is an honor for me. To me, this is how I see the results of my hard work. 

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

I could easily dive into genres like house music, minimal techno, or deep house, because for me, it's now simple to explore different styles or even create something new. 

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

Yves LaRock - Rise Up

Michel Cleis - Pichira

SIS – Trompeta

It is really difficult to say why. I think first the energy that the tracks mentioned is released. I have plenty of tracks that influence my career.   

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

There’s a new venue in Bucharest called NOOK, and I’ve had the chance to visit a few times and even play there. The sound is amazing, and although it’s not very large, it has a capacity of about 800 people. 

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

This year, I have a remix coming out on November 22 for Crosstown Rebels, and in December, I’ll likely release an EP on TONEROZ, a sublabel of From The South. 

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

I like to make jokes most of the time, especially once I’ve had a drink, haha, probably like most of us.😊