Be happy

Sloterpark

 Due to my experiences with techno communities in Czechia since 2001, and due to the rise of the free tekno mainstream around 2003—when free tekno even managed to shut down Creamfields in Czechia—and the way Czech techno people began collaborating with the free tekno scene, I’m happy that my imagination about what a techno community could look like has been realized in the Netherlands. I always believed in the vibe of tech-house, progressive, melodic, and proper techno. I’m happy because what I imagined is now real here. I believed in a community made up of normal people—people with inner wealth and good looks—and in the Netherlands, this is happening. I think the Dutch techno community looks like how I imagined a functioning society could be. I can enjoy these events without fear because of the shared values here. The only thing I fear is saying this out loud. For example, when I mentioned a liquid event in December 2022, something felt off. People aren’t the same everywhere. The world is about people. As the inner spaces look, so do the worlds. In places where techno is shaped by citizens with strong inner values, it feels different. In the Netherlands, even gabba is mainstream. I don’t say anything negative about that because Dutch gabber carries those same values. At 10:45 PM, when I left the Loveland shuttle at Sloterdijk, I could hear tech-house, techno, progressive, and gabber playing all around. At first, I thought the techno was coming from Loveland, but after a few steps, I heard different music. I realized that music was coming from everywhere—houses, cars, balconies. Gabber was playing from cars too. It’s true that Dutch open-air events usually end by midnight. So when I got to Sloterdijk, it was the tail end of all the events happening around Amsterdam. At 11:00 PM, a guy on a balcony provocatively a one started playing weird bass like he had a sound system at the balcony. That’s political too. Now it’s ten days later—I’m lying in bed at 1:30 AM and suddenly, a free tekno party starts. When I see this, it’s like those people are shouting, “Look at us! We’re the dumbest in Europe!” Some of them are under 30 and already without teeth—stuff even indigenous communities wouldn’t see. And when the decibel limits are completely ignored, the free tekno just continues. At ADE, nobody wants to go days without washing their body. But at some wannabe events, the common smell says everything. In a way, I’m glad real, civilized societies exist somewhere, and the weirdos stay weird—dirty and desperate, stuck in the world they made for themselves. I don’t believe these people know what a Western society really looks like. They believe their own nonsense, because they’re not educated—not even about the world outside Czechia, which seems to be their final stop in life. This is also the truth about the Czech reality. Every time I return from Germany to Czechia, I feel like the country is outside of reality. It’s a shock—being everywhere in Western Europe and then arriving in a place where the West doesn’t seem to exist at all. I don’t want uncivilized or antisocial behavior—especially not during the day. But I love daylight events. It’s beautiful when everyone can see what the people around them actually look like. When I come back from a daylight or sunset event, I never question the value of day events. That’s what’s great about them—they last longer, I can sleep at night, and in the morning, I feel good. Or I can enjoy the night later, alone, in my own private space. And still wake up happy. It’s like traveling in a night train—when I look around and see people I’m not afraid of.

My teacher

 Who Was Your Teacher 👍🏻👍🏻

 There was recently a festival in the Netherlands where I got a like from a guy. I said, “Yeah,” and smiled at him. But (haha) I don’t know what he was thinking. 

I had a lot of questions in my mind about liquid drum and bass. And the truth is, I was inspired by platforms like Chilloutbear on YouTube, for example. But Sidney SN mixes have their own foundations. What I especially wanted were mixes full of liquid drum and bass tracks—the kind I listened to on platforms like Chilloutbear. The vibe of Sidney SN is something I wanted in the world… or something I feel is already in the world. 

Maybe Australia or the Netherlands inspired me—or maybe they are my teachers, in a way. There were also people who introduced me to deep drum and bass. But I use deep drum and bass mostly as a base for liquid drum and bass. Sometimes I make pure deep drum and bass mixes, but those are more experimental. 

And maybe the Universe is the teacher. But I don’t know who brought the Universe to life. Maybe the person who brought the Universe into my life is… me. Because the existence of everything feels unbelievable sometimes. But life can be like a movie—like Clash of the Titans, I think. There are “gods” who seem to manipulate reality, and sometimes you find yourself in situations where you don’t understand why things are happening—until you eventually wake up to the truth. So, maybe my true teacher is the environment around me. There were many moments in my life when I said to myself: “This is not right. I don’t want this.” And I think those moments—where I said no—were the teachers. Of course, good environments are also great teachers. 

Maybe that guy at the festival was thinking something totally different, but the fact that he was thinking at all… that was interesting. 

There’s also something unique about the way I mix. From the very beginning, I’ve followed the same principles. Back in 2005, during autumn, when I first started experimenting with MP3 mixing, I already had the same ideas in my head. At that time, modern liquid drum and bass didn’t even exist, so I tried to create something melodic—mixing techno with non-techno tracks to tell stories. I probably can’t express everything I feel, because that’s what creates my style of mixing. And maybe that’s the reason for the likes or applause I receive. On the other hand, everyone knows that I love remixing tracks through mixing—to give them a fresh liquid drum and bass atmosphere.

Somewhere in Western Europe

 I think every day could be the last, because no one knows the future. But to me, this thought is deeply connected to the present reality of the Western European continent. Maybe political maps say something different about what defines Western Europe, but maps don’t understand political or cultural language. 

 Belgium – The heart of the European Union. By lifestyle, Belgium clearly belongs to Western Europe. You can feel the Western European vibe in everyday life. It’s also the birthplace of revolutionary artists in the techno scene, like Charlotte de Witte, who I think is a strong representation of modern Belgium. It’s also the home of Amelie Lens. Belgium has a strong economy—after Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Belgium is one of the richest countries in Western Europe. It even has a stronger economy than Germany, France, or the United Kingdom in some aspects. 

 Netherlands – An amazing country with a unique culture. Sometimes it feels like a “little America 2” that combines Western Europe with a broader European identity. The architecture is both beautiful and thoughtful. Water management is advanced, and there are innovative solutions for home energy, urban infrastructure, and industry. It’s a high-tech society. The public transport system is probably the fastest in Europe—for cars, buses, trains—and it’s the best place for cyclists (there are more bikes than citizens!). Sometimes I feel that cars in the Netherlands are not only cleaner in terms of emissions, but also just better maintained than in Central Europe. The people are diverse, direct, and vibrant. The cities and events are beautiful, with strong infrastructure and scenic coastlines. When modern liquid drum and bass has deep roots in the Netherlands, it makes sense—it fits the energy of the country. The Dutch are often described as the most active people in Europe, and this shows in reality. I believe environment is everything, and the Netherlands creates an active, balanced lifestyle. During sunny summers, the country can feel like a European “Hawaii”—especially in areas like South Holland, Rotterdam, or even Amsterdam. The Netherlands has a kind of year-round holiday vibe. People are calm and peaceful, which seems to reflect the national spirit. They are aesthetically minded, and their surroundings—both urban and rural—look clean and well-maintained. Agriculture here isn’t just industrial—it often feels integrated into the landscape. The Netherlands was also the first European country to truly adopt English as a second language. Over 90% of Dutch people speak English fluently, making it feel almost like a native language. It is the second richest country in Western Europe. Dutch children and teens are the tallest in the world. And yes, Dutch men rank first in Europe in average penis size. 

 France – A vibrant and diverse country. Different regions feel completely different from one another. Some areas resemble Central European architecture (like around Nancy), while others feel more like the French Riviera—places like Saint-Tropez or Monaco. Some cities look like Germany, especially in Alsace, where cities like Strasbourg have architecture similar to Eastern Germany. There are peaceful regions and also areas with more social tension. France includes the Alps and major summer holiday spots. It’s rich in culture, architecture, and scenic beauty. 

 Luxembourg – Luxembourg City is recognized by UNESCO, and the country itself blends heritage and modern life. As the richest country in the world, that wealth is visible in its infrastructure and quality of life. It’s a beautiful nation combining history and innovation. 

 Germany – One of the most powerful economies in the, and you can feel it across the whole country. Cities are diverse—some show deep historical roots, while others reflect a modern high-tech society. The people are diverse too, especially in places like Berlin. Cities like Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and those in Western Germany (e.g., Düsseldorf, Dortmund) are all unique. Berlin is a colorful, multicultural place—probably more so than most cities in Europe. Munich is very modern, and aside from Munich Hauptbahnhof, it’s an especially clean city. Frankfurt feels like a crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe and has very complex architecture. Frankfurt Airport itself feels like an international hub. When you arrive in Cologne, it’s clear you’re in Western Europe. The green, clean environment around Cologne feels very different from Central Europe. The same goes for Dortmund or Düsseldorf—both the architecture and the surrounding nature are more similar to the Netherlands than to Eastern Europe.