GET TO KNOW
Aida Arko’s journey from the high-flying world of Cirque du Soleil to the throbbing beats of tech- no is nothing short of extraordinary. With a deep passion for performance, her transition into music is an inspiring story of reinvention, resilience, and relentless pursuit of one’s true calling. In this ex- clusive interview, Aida shares her personal story, her musical influences, and her thoughts on the evolution of the techno scene.
Having worked for over a decade as a circus per- former, Aida’s transition into music came as a na- tural shift. She spent years as an acrobat and fire performer, even creating her own solo show. Howe- ver, the short lifespan of a professional athlete prompted her to pivot towards her long-standing passion for music. Moving to Europe was a crucial part of this journey, as she had to start over at the age of 25, learning new skills and embracing a fresh path in music.
“Transitioning from a professional circus perfor- mer to a music producer and techno DJ was a significant shift. For over 10 years I worked in the Sport Industry and circus, I was an acrobat and fire performer; I created my own solo show where I was performing on a rotating star shape object 10 meters up in the air while on fire, loved the inten- sity of it and to create this momentum of optical illusions! As a pro athlete you have to accept that your career has a short lifespan, and when I de- cided to pursue my passion in music I had to let go of nearly all the skills I’d honed over the years. I needed to start from scratch at the age of 25 all over again, learning entirely new skills to pur- sue my long-standing dream of creating and sha- ring powerful stories through music. My years as a performer taught me that to excel in any field, you must dedicate yourself fully. I still carry that mindset; for me, there is no work-life balance, it’s a lifestyle in passion. It’s all or nothing.”
Aida’s journey took her from Tehran, where she grew up, to India, where she discovered music. She then moved to Europe, and after much hard work, she found herself in cities like Vienna and Berlin, where she is now based. These cities have allowed her to connect deeply with the electronic mu- sic scene, overcoming obstacles and building the foundation for her career as a DJ and producer.
“I’m always on a mission, I follow inspiration and a clear sense of purpose. I grew up in a sma- ll city, named Arak, about four hours from Te- hran. As a teenager, I left with a backpack and one-way ticket for India to find myself—it may sound cliché, but that’s where I discovered mu-
sic and, ultimately, my purpose. Moving to Europe against all odds and starting from ground zero all over again was a challenging but natural step in my journey to become a DJ and music producer. Now, living between Vienna and Berlin, I feel I’m in the perfect place to pursue my passion. I remem- ber the past but look forward to a future and a full life worth looking forward to.”
Aida’s Persian heritage plays a significant role in shaping her music. The cultural richness of her upbringing, which included literature, poetry, and spiritual practices, infuses her work with a sense of depth and connection to the world. She sees her music as an extension of these cultural roots, offering listeners an emotional and transformati- ve experience.
“Growing up in Iran had a profound impact on me. Persian culture, spectacular cuisine, rose gardens, Persian celebrations, especially literature and poetry, is woven into who I am. This influence sha- pes my view of the universe—I’m spiritual, believe in good art, good food, good people, and a mindful approach to life. These values seep into my music, adding layers of depth that connect with audien- ces on a universal level.”
Aida’s upcoming Hard Disco EP on Sara Landry’s Hekate Label is highly anticipated by her fans. The EP takes listeners on an emotional journey, explo- ring different energy levels and moods. Her colla- boration with the UK artist PRYDIE on the track “Hard Disco” is one of the standout moments. Aida describes how this project is different from her previous work, particularly in terms of sound design and tempo.
“Hard Disco is an emotional journey, filled with in- tensity and moments of release. Each track explo- res different dimensions of energy and reflection, capturing moods that are bold yet personal. For the track ‘Hard Disco’ I’ve collaborated with a very talented young Artist from the UK named PRY- DIE and I’m very satisfied with the results. This EP stands apart from my previous work by pushing boundaries in tempo and sound design, while still holding onto the essence of my style for Hekate Records.”
The track Knock Out from her Hard Disco EP ad- dresses the serious issue of domestic violence. For Aida, music is a powerful tool for storytelling, and she wanted to bring attention to the impact of abuse through this track.
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