NUDE100: Simina Grigoriu

Our 100th NUDE Mix is by our amazing friend, Simina Grigoriu!

Romanian-born, Toronto-bred Simina Grigoriu has been steadily racking up accolades during her decade-long career. Starting off as a DJ, she quickly made the transition as a producer and kicked off her own label Kuukou, a home for techno forward productions, where she calls all the shots. In this time she’s also transplanted to Berlin, a place she now calls home and the major source of her creative inspiration, a source as diverse as her influences.

Simina’s musical roots stem deep in her childhood when she studied classical violin and keyboard. Coupled with her parents’ musical legacy and her passion for Hip Hop freestyling as a teen, it encapsulates the foundation of her style, an avenue she continues to explore to this day.

Garnering on the exposure of Toronto’s clubs, where growing up, the likes of Jeff Mills, Josh Wink and Juan Atkins struck a chord, Simina’s style grew and developed constantly into the straightforward and uplifting techno she fronts today.

An active globetrotter, Simina’s constantly touring, having wowed crowds at festivals and venues all over the world so it’s no surprise the Techno chief named her label ‘Kuukou’ (Japanese for airport). Since its inception the burgeoning imprint has gone from strength to strength, with a steady stream of hard-hitting releases from the likes of Torsten Kanzler, Gallya, Fabio Florido, Dusty Kid, BB Deng, Drumcomplex, Alfred Heinrichs, Martin Books and Daniel Boon amongst others.

She concludes this Season 2 of techno mixes and gives us our 100th mix, it’s a very special two-hour mix too. Massive love to her for being part of this years season, you can listen to the whole season here. Listen to her mix below on SoundCloud & Mixcloud. If you are feeling this series, then please consider supporting it on Mixcloud Select.

Sum up this podcast in 10 words…
Santa delivers Christmas techno, for you, with love.

What’s your personal favourite track on it?
Don’t have one! That’s like picking my favourite ice cream!

What’s the special ingredient in this mix?
Love and order. Like any mix or mixtape, the music speaks for itself, but the order is equally important. It tells a story and I hope you like it!

Tell us about your next EP?
Rooftop Ballerina / Pirouette – Kuukou Records (Out in January 2022)
I’ve included both tracks in this mix. Consider this a preliminary promo.

What have you got coming up?
Lots coming down the pipeline with my own releases but also a ton of great artists and releases on Kuukou. I’ve also lined up a North America tour in January, an India tour in February and, in addition, a South America tour in April.

Let’s see what we can do in EU in the meantime (you can blame Rona for this uncertainty). On top of all of this—actually, first and foremost—owning mommyhood and being present for my two beautiful ninja daughters and my amazing husband who believes in me and supports my dreams. I’m a clown juggling in action and it takes it all out of me, but I’m doing my best to make everyone happy and to bring all I’ve got to the world.

And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?
Stay in school. Don’t do drugs. Don’t believe the hype!

Thank you SO much for this amazing opportunity!

I’m honoured that you’ve chosen me for this extra special extended set.

Tracklist

Jacopo Susini – Face To Face (Original Mix) – Kuukou
HI-LO – Hypnos – Drumcode
George Adi – Bandits (Original Mix) – Kuukou
Eye-Xpress – Tea Town (Original Mix) – Set About
Diego Infanzon – Abre Tu Mente – Tronic
Karim Alkhayat, Mushroom Cake – Attitude (Original Mix) – Set About
Deetail – Flying Lights – XLR8
Uncertain – Essence (Original Mix) – Mindshake
Novem Vivit – Transit (Original Mix) – Set About
Pagano – Tabula Rasa (Original Mix) – Transmit
Marc Houle – Gashu – Items & Things
George Adi – Energy – Tronic
Christian Smith – Movement – Tronic
Filterheadz – Passenger to Mars
Ostreaktor – Industriegelände – Korten
Clif Jack – Go On Home – Kuukou
Ilario Alicante – Rave Atlas – Drumcode
DJ Jordan – The Power (Original Mix) – Autektone
Jeremy Wahab – Combustion (Original Mix) – Set About
Alessandro Grops – Segment (Original Mix) – Tronic
Drumcomplex – Motion
Sisko Electrofanatik – Twisted (Noemi Black Remix)
Irregular Synth – Gravity (Original Mix) – Dirty Minds
Drumcomplex – Section
East Side Gallery – The Devil You Don’t (Original Mix) – Raw Worx
Simina Grigoriu – Rooftop Ballerina – Kuukou
Simina Grigoriu – Pirouette – Kuukou