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  Features
Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’!
Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases!
Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme!
Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works.
Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain!
Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September!
NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases!
Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup!
Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast!
Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music!
SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023!
The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023!
NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music!
Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project
The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22!
A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden
Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma
Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino
New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik!
PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records!
Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters!
N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood!
Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna
A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022!
'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022!
DJ talk with Psyrenzo ahead of his debut set at Tribal Village, the Steelyard this Friday 14th January 2022!
TENZO aka Overdrive talks freely about launching his new act which will be showcased at Tribal Village, Steelyard on 14 January 2022!
A long overdue catch up with JourneyOM ahead of his next Tribal Village party this Friday 14th January 2022 at the Steelyard, London!
Goa based party animal and artist extraordinaire Nirmal talks punk concerts, metal sculptures, flying and rippin' it up on a High Tide!
DJ Wired talks to us about the Rise of the Hope and parties, ahead of his upcoming set at Tribal Village on 14th January 2022!

The Musical Meanderings of Mina

Reported by Jessica Alici / Submitted 11-06-18 18:39

Mina aka Mirjan Mina Matic is a psy-trance producer from Serbia who we’re really excited about. Having already released on the legendary Ovnimoon Records; Mina has tons of exciting projects upcoming; including two releases on Reincarnations Recordings. We decided to find out more about this emerging and impressive new talent…



Firstly Mina, can you tell us about your life journey so far. What’s your earliest childhood memory and what sculpted you into the artist you are today?

First of all, I want to thank you for this interview!

As far as I remember, I have been creative since my early childhood. Music always played a big part in my family's life. My father was a local DJ in the early 70's and virtually everyone in the family was musically talented. My mother, on the other hand, was a gifted painter. I guess I had the luck to inherit the best of both.

When I was 4 or 5 years old, I already had a keyboard and listened to music all the time. I knew how to repeat the notes ... even though my family secretly hoped I would attend music school, I was much more interested in painting back then and never did. As a child I think I was too shy to express myself in any other way than painting. I did some singing in the choir (but that was really because the teachers made me haha)! I grew up with a 12-year-older brother, who at that time listened to techno music, this was certainly one of the triggers that pushed my passion towards electronic music in a wider sense. Since I was focusing on progressing as a painter, the very idea of me attempting music production on a serious level remained firmly up in the air. At that time, I also practiced gymnastics, and I attended foreign language classes. I was always interested in the unknown, mysticism, esotericism, from very early childhood.

I admit that I was a bit of a nerd who bit off more than they could chew, for someone of this age and ability. I ended up as a painter with a diploma of the Conservator of Cultural Heritage.

First of all, I was a metal head; my interest in psytrance music came about later in 2002. So far it has been a journey full of ups and downs, and I have learnt a lot from my mistakes.



How would you describe your sound?

I don’t like to describe my sound as I don’t like to label myself or anyone else. But, if I have to, I would describe it as mystical, hypnotic, progressive ethno sounds, with a lot of unique groove, percussion, and deep cosmic atmospheres. It’s really a combination of many musical genres.


When creating a track, do you follow a specific process?

I usually make the kick and bass first. I set the bass as I want it to sound, then I move onto the rhythmic section. Actually, it depends on the energy as to how it will turn out. Sometimes I start only with a melody I have in my mind, or a speech that inspired me, then I adjust the bass and kick to that specific vibe. It always depends on my state of mind and emotion as to what I will do. I try to be as clear and specific as possible with both energy and in the message of the track.


What and who inspires you and why?

Certain situations cause rebound or emotion in me and thus a track arises. Also, life, suffering, chaos in the world, even poetry, painting, documentary films, books, all life and spiritual experiences. From there comes inspiration for me. I think that it doesn’t always come from me alone though.

I believe that there are forces larger than us and that inspiration or drive is a matter of universal energy, that passes through living beings in different ways. According to the writings of old civilizations, music reflects the harmony between the sky and the earth. I find that very inspiring. As for impact; I can't say that there were specific people.



You’re a very creative person; a musician, a singer and a painter. Tell us about these other passions of yours…

I have the feeling that art is the place where we can express our opinion, and we can influence people. Music can unconsciously influence listeners both educationally and morally, so does painting. Music, painting and singing are windows into the essence of the human soul. Painting is like poetry without words. I never paint things as I see them, but how I experience them. Many people live, breathe and die through music or some other kind of art and I am one of those. I believe that art in every form is the cooperation between Universe/God and artist, and the less the artist participates the better. So all that concerns my passions is not my free will; it's a need, given by nature. Take singing for example; I can't sing when I'm happy, I can only when I'm sad. Strange, but true. And I just can't sing cheerful songs, or paint without pink, green, blue and violet. I have a pair of paintings with blue and green women. One of my favourite paintings is Ganesha, which is blue. Even Napoleon Bonaparte said: 'The meaning of art is washing the dust of everyday life from our souls'.



You’re a gifted singer; singing both in choirs and alternative metal bands. That’s very diverse. How did these opportunities arise and do you still sing much now?

I was a singer in the past, in school and for a short time, in the church choir and also as a backing vocalist for some trap projects. As for the metal band, there was a disagreement over tastes and genres. I wanted to be a goth soprano singer, or at least something which includes clean vocals, and other members were in the style of 'Arch Enemy' and were like 'Hey Mina, can you do a growling voice?’ I mean, how? Never!

Now I sing mostly for my own and Bojan, my partner's tracks. We also launched a progressive tech/ house project called "South Wind" and signed two tracks to 'Massive Harmony Records' . On this project, we are actually both singing. Bojan (Ascent) & me. I also sing vocals for 'Argus' project (Altar Records), the track is Argus & Mina - ‘Ocean of Causes’. For me personally I like to sing Sam Smith's songs. Maybe I'll make a cover one day, so that the world knows how crazy I am! If they haven't realised that already yet ;-)



How about you as a person, aside from you as an artist. Can you tell us three things that you love about yourself, and a trait you’d like to work on?

What do I love about myself? Hmmm. I think this question would be better answered by people that know me. I find it hard to answer this one. What I would like to change about myself is my impatience and impulsiveness - maybe to have a little less of these would be a good thing for me.


What’s the last music you listened to that wasn’t your own? How does this music make you feel?

When I don't make music then I listen to various genres, and in that way I rest my mind. I think that way I am able to ensure no other artists have such a big influence on me. I love to listen to Pali chanting from the Theravada Buddhist tradition and also old Byzantine chanting. It makes me feel peaceful.



Your upcoming release on Reincarnations Recordings is called ‘Chaos’. Can you tell us about this track? Was there a concept behind it? Where did the ideas come from? What does it mean to you?

Of course! There is a concept. I believe that science without spirituality cannot function, nor give us answers. I think the basic laws of the universe are simple, but we cannot understand them because our senses are limited. We struggle to see the patterns and links between them as a whole. We are the ones who make chaos and we are not in harmony with the universe or even with ourselves. I am very happy about this release on Reincarnations Recordings. I like their professional approach, as well as their vibe and I thank them for believing in me.


What do you find is the hardest part of being an artist?

Spending time in a very uncomfortable position. It causes terrible headaches for me when I spend a lot of time on the computer. On the other hand though, I am lucky to have support from my family and partner Bojan and also from his family. It is worth pain and suffering ultimately, because it makes me happy and many other people too!


What is the most important lesson in life you’ve learnt to date?

Only fools hesitate!




What are your hopes and dreams for the future both personally and as an artist?

I hope that I will have a healthy and happy family, and my dream is to have a cat shelter. And as an artist, whatever I find, I do! I don't have any specific expectations or limitations.

BIG LOVE!!


Mina - thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Good luck with the release! xx




To pre-order/buy Mina’s new single on Reincarnations Recordings click here:
https://www.beatport.com/track/chaos-original-mix/10660822

To hear Mina’s upcoming track on Reincarnations Recordings click here:
https://soundcloud.com/reincarnations-recordings

To follow Mina on Facebook click here:
https://www.facebook.com/minapsytrance/

To hear Mina’s sounds click here:
https://soundcloud.com/tmina-1

Images courtesy of Mina. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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Other Features By Jessica Alici:
Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’!
Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases!
Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme!
Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works.
Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain!
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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