At the beginning of this year, I got in contact with this artist, Atik, about promoting a track he was releasing on Odio Records. Fast forward a month, and now we’re collaborating on the start of his mix series, The Haunted Mixtape.
Atik and Respect My Region are excited to premiere his newest mix series, The Haunted Mixtape. This is the start of many more mixes to come, and will feature mashups, originals, and remixes from Atik. And other collaborative artists.
To give you guys a little background of him, Atik is probably most well known for his trap remix of Like a Bitch by Zomboy. He has also had tracks premiered on Nest HQ, Odio Records, and has had play support from bassnectar, Herobust, and Zomboy.
The Interview
We also got the chance to talk to the brain behind this ghostly figure. Here’s what he had to say!
RMR: What got you into doing music production/DJing? Do you have a musical background on top of this?
Atik: When I was 14 years old I discovered DJ Bl3nd on Youtube and the music he was playing in his mixes was something I’ve never heard before. I loved it instantly and wanted to learn about it. I started learning that remixes of songs existed and that electronic music without vocals exists as well. It was a revelation!!
I started following channels like UKF Dubstep, Tasty Network, Spinnin Records , Monstercat , MA Electro & MA Dubstep and discovering artists through them. After a couple of months, it was my birthday where I was turning 15 years old and coincidentally my school was having a halloween dance party that same day!
Another coincidence was I had borrowed a really small Virtual DJ console from a friend of mine those days. I was armed and ready and I knew what to do.
Me and a friend of mine would DJ the school dance. We made it happen and the day came. We played horribly BUT it was the best feeling ever! We and everyone else had an incredible time, it was the very first time I witnessed the power of music. I saw teachers who never smiled dance! Kids who were introverted to join the crowd and party with everyone else! I wanted to play music for people for the rest of my life after that day, but I still had no idea I could even write music.
When I spoke about my dreams to my older cousin who used to spin music on big clubs here in Greece he immediately said that I should learn how to write my own tunes.
I thought that was just impossible!
My closest relationship with music was breakdancing when I was younger and I didn’t know what a chord even is or that scales exist not to mention software like FL Studio & Ableton. It was once again a revelation.
So, I found that FL Studio exists on Google and it begun, I started to understand the software and for 6 months I don’t think I could even make a melody that looped correctly.
I met my friend Kozah through FB and we both finally found someone who shares the same passion for music! We then became a duo named OnTheRun and after one day we sent our very first tune ( it was 1 minute) to Spinnin Records saying how we were 15 year old producers. We didn’t get it … But, we ‘re still here and Spinnin’ we’re coming for you!
RMR: I’d really like to know the story behind the name Atik, and how the ghost persona came to be. Is it related to something in your life or your real name?
Atik: I found the name Atik on WikiPedia and I really liked it because it sounded like a simple name that could also be a first name. What I found was a purple galaxy named Atik and I love both galaxys and purple so it was an easy choice.
As for the ghost, it was quite random, as I later realized that Atik also sounds like attic and I wanted to find a way to make that part of the vibe as well.
I thought what about a ghost in the attic? So after I made the first ghost by cutting and chopping pictures from the internet I started making a lot more visual art and I fell in love with the whole process.
Making a song, making the art and releasing the whole package is an experience that I fell in love with and now can’t live without .
RMR: You’ve gotten official track releases from Nest HQ and Odio records, and you’ve gotten play support from some of the best producers in the game, Herobust and Zomboy to name a few. What is your dream collaboration?
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Atik: It would be a long list but if I have to say one name it would be Skrillex.
When I heard his music my life changed forever and I ‘m forever grateful.
RMR: What are some rookie mistakes that you see in the music industry right now? What are some ways to avoid those mistakes?
Atik: I think a mistake would be to be impatient and doing this because it’s trending or “cool” . Falling in love with the process is what should make you stick to it !
The best advice that comes to mind right now is that the sooner you start focusing on finishing tracks instead of starting countless new projects the sooner you’ll become better and find your sound. Consistency is key.
RMR: What other hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing, besides making and mixing music?
Atik: I love hanging out with friends, photography, learning new things and visiting new places.
RMR: Any new tracks or mixes you’d like to talk about?
Atik: A lot more original music & remixes is coming soon but first,
I’m going to release the first episode of my mixtape series on my birthday on March 4th!
It’s going to be premiered by Respect My Region<3 and I‘m so happy that after 6 years I can play music for people once again on my birthday! (hopefully much better this time)
RMR: Anything else you wanna say/talk about?
Atik: I wanna thank you for this opportunity and also thank you the one who is actually reading this for listening to my music and supporting me in my dreams which a lot of people find crazy and irrational. ♥
Oh and one final thing that has helped me a lot the past years.
Every given moment you have something to complain about and something to be grateful for. The choice is yours.
Check out Atik’s socials here!
Facebook / Twitter / Soundcloud
