Cover photo by Bastiaan Woudt courtesy of Get In! PR
Electronic musician, performer, and record label head Djordje Petrovic, also known as Satori, is making waves with his ethereal and unparalleled sound. Born and raised in a Serbian and South African household, the artist absorbed a diverse range of musical styles, including Balkan, jazz, and Afrobeat music, from childhood. He taught himself to play the guitar at age 12 and the piano at 18 before he eventually joined the club music scene in 2007. Satori's upbringing is, without a doubt, intertwined with his eclectic artistic identity and his drive to push the EDM envelope. His fresh take on the techno and deep house genres challenges the bounds of electronic music as we know it and brings new intricacies to production.
Satori's talents redefine what it means to be a DJ, and a musician, at large. His iconic live performances incorporate entrancing visuals and traditional instruments, such as the guitar, keys and flute. No two shows are the same, and yet each Satori set is more incredible than the last. Gracing stages from Coachella to Ibiza, this artist is one to watch.
Most recently, Satori mesmerized fans with his official remix of Leonard Cohen's "You Want It Darker", which dropped on February 29, 2024. This new rendition turns the classic on its head while highlighting the haunting heart and soul of the original song. Satori's rich electronic remix of the track exemplifies the many shades of EDM and enhances the nuanced emotions of Cohen's songwriting. "You Want It Darker" is available on all major streaming platforms now.
We spoke with Satori about his upbringing, live performances, and collaboration "AVCI" with Turkish megastar Yalin. Read the full interview below and check out "AVCI" and "You Want It Darker". Let us know what you think.
Was music a big part of your upbringing? How did you become involved in producing electronic music?
I've been lucky to come from a very musical house, not necessarily surrounded by musicians but my family are true music lovers. So from birth, I have been around music and started playing guitar like every kid does. As I was growing up in the Netherlands, it was mainly pop and electronic that I heard on the radio, but at home, I’d hear all this traditional Balkan music, so my musical interests have been open-minded since childhood.
How has your sound evolved over the years?
I would like to think that I've gotten better at selecting specific sounds and how I want my music to be. But in terms of the creative process, it's still the same, I get inspired all of the time and as a result, I produce music all of the time.
Share about your live performances and the live instrument improvisation you bring to each show.
When I’m on stage I love to improvise… I get bored easily, so with my live setup I've put myself in a position where I'm constantly challenged and have to take risks; this is what keeps me on my toes. On top of that, I'm trying to use as many instruments to express myself as I can. Lately, I've been singing more, I use my flute, and I have the keyboard that I use.
What has been your favorite live performance?
There have been many and it's hard to choose! For instance, playing Dia de Los Muertos in an abandoned ruin in Oaxaca, Mexico was beyond my wildest imagination. Playing the main stage at Exit Festival and being surrounded by brilliant musicians was also a dream.
What is your dream venue for a set?
I love Egyptian historical sights, so Valley of the Kings would be high on my list. Besides that, it would be the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall due to the legacy of those venues.
Tell us about your collaboration with Turkish superstar Yalin, “AVCI”.
I've been a fan of his for a long time and am always looking for original collaborations, so after we got in touch we both felt like this was an adventure that could work. It was amazing. I loved bouncing ideas off each other and inspiring each other to take things to the next level.
What is your favorite piece of the production?
You can't ask me this because I love it all! ;) But I'm in love with the fusion of electronic music and Yalin's voice.
Who do you hope to collaborate with next?
Wow, this list is long! I would love to work with Tinariwen, Jordan Rakei, and Fatoumata Diawara. My ultimate goal would be Hans Zimmer.
What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
Nothing. I'm happy with my journey in life and wouldn't want to change it for anything.
What’s next for Satori?
It's nearing the end of the year which means that I have about 2 months without touring coming up, so a lot of time for making new music. I'm looking forward to working on my studio tan.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?
I think people should find out for themselves.
Who are three more artists or industry professionals you’d like to see featured in Enharmonic Magazine?
First of all my brother in crime Sora, Henry Sarmiento who is the best engineer on the planet, and Richard Hooban who runs Zero events in New York.