EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SIMINA GRIGORIU: DEVOTED SORCERESS OF THE TECHNO REALM


Simina Grigoriu, a sonic sorceress in the realms of Techno, a conjurer of beats, and the mastermind steering the ship of Kuukou Records. Beyond the pulsating rhythms and the throb of basslines, her odyssey through the cosmos of electronic soundscapes unveils a


narrative both enchanting and


captivating—a tale of devotion that reverberates through the vibrant scenes of Berlin and far beyond.


Simina’s musical roots trace back to childhood, where diverse genres painted the canvas of her creative spirit. From singing and composing in her


youth to the


revelation of electronic music’s raw energy, Simina’s journey began. The evolution from a bedroom DJ in Toronto to a touring force in the European Techno landscape marked a transformative quest, culminating in the birth of Kuukou Records in 2016—an imprint now synonymous with depth and emotion in the Techno realm.


“My musical journey started long before I knew what a DJ was. As a child, music held immense importance for me. I’d explore my parents’ diverse vinyl and CD collections, spanning classical, rock, reggae, and early electronic music. I began singing and composing in my head from primary school. The emotional power of movie scores moved me deeply, with vivid memories of being overwhelmed and crying in my mother’s arms at the end of films. Music was so powerful for me.”


“As for my DJ career, it wasn’t a career at all at first. Like most of us, I started out as a bedroom DJ, with no career goals in mind, just doing what I liked and learning the craft. I was working in print marketing while also bartending at a


Toronto nightclub on


weekends. Observing the DJ’s craft each weekend fascinated me. Although I was familiar


summers in Romania as well as the Toronto 2 mixmagde.com with electronic music from my


‘90s rave scene, back then, DJs weren’t glorified as we are now. It really was just about the music. Intrigued, I borrowed equipment from friends organising Techno parties, saved up for a XONE:92 mixer and some second-hand monitors, and embarked on intense practice while learning Ableton from my producer friends as well as YouTube tutorials. That was in 2006.”


“Juggling a corporate job, I devoted my free time to decks and Ableton, with occasional gigs from the Platform Entertainment crew. Moving to Berlin in 2008 marked a turning point. I quickly


found my


place and


devoted myself to music. By the Summer of 2009, I belonged to an agency and was touring around GAS (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).”


“In 2010 I released my first record ‘Mukluks & Ponytails’, a two-track EP on Susumu Records. A handful of remixes followed and then in 2012, I hunkered down and produced my album ‘Exit City’ which was released on Susumu and then later re-released on Kuukou Records. I am still so proud of that one but it is, in fact, my only full-length album to date. I focused on releasing EPs and singles and in 2015 when I was pregnant with my first dau- ghter, Isabella Amelie, I produced about ten tracks. Instead of releasing them as an album, I would find a record label to release them, slowly, and on my own terms. No compromises. I had a vision, and in 2016, Kuukou Records was born.”


Kuukou Records evolved beyond my passion project, becoming a platform for Techno with depth


and emotion. Emphasising groove,


melodies, and vocals, the label has grown beyond expectations. Exciting new talent joins us in 2024, and I’m grateful for the journey and the incredible artists I work with. Kuukou Records has become something truly spe- cial to me—my third baby, as I like to say— and I’m honoured to have the opportunity to continue developing my label, creating space for awesome artists to showcase their music.”


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