Women in electronic music often face challenges when it comes to visibility and recognition in a scene that is still dominated by men. That is why the organization “Ecstatic Move” was created, with the mission to provide a space for talented female artists and create a more equal environment in which music knows no gender boundaries. Their dedication to authenticity has been translated into events that combine sound, movement and performance, and this time, at the request of the audience, they are moving to the iconic “Maximus” club in Kotor. The electronic scene of Montenegro has been finding refuge in this space for decades, and on March 15, with the slogan “You need a party”, “Ecstatic Move” brings an evening to remember with performances by a carefully selected lineup of performers led by Ilona Maraš, the first Montenegrin DJ to build a career abroad, and now, symbolically, she returns home for a major event of the organization that fights for a stronger presence of women on the scene. In addition, performances by DJ Martel, DJ Larisa and DJ Stamina Vu, who is also one of the organizers of the event, have also been announced. Milena Vujović aka DJ Stamina Vu reveals what connects the participants of this event in an interview with "Vijesti":
"The participants of this event are connected first of all by the fact that they are all from Montenegro, and that is the most beautiful and interesting truth for us. Wherever we have been, gone, traveled, lived, settled down - Montenegro binds us, unites us and brings us back to itself through music. Of course, this also connects us with that positively obsessive love for music that can be noticed in each individual performer," she points out, adding that no matter how different the individual sound may be, they will try to follow it through carefully selected tracks, so there will be no ones who "warm up" and those who "glow" the atmosphere.
"This event will, by all indications, both warm and shine intensely. The techno that the audience will enjoy throughout the night will bring excitement, strong emotional sparks, and will strike the body's meridians just the way we like it, and our point is always to awaken feelings with carefully selected tracks. Everyone will be in their own authentic style, and we will follow each other in tandem. There will be drum, beatbreak, organic techno, tribal techno, acid techno. We start quite mystically, but with a lot of heat. In this way, we set the intention and standard for the rest of the night, so we like to immediately put ourselves and the audience in the mode of turning off the external world and turning on the internal world. Rave is intimacy and a lot of dancing. We love when it is called a musical sport. Above all, therapy, as we have said many times. Our event simply could not pass without at least once during the night giving the audience goosebumps or positively 'killing' the audience with sound," adds DJ Stamina Vu.
Although “Ecstatic Move” has been pushing female DJs at its parties through its events, this time DJ Martel will also be in charge of creating a good atmosphere. This is Rade Vučković, a Montenegrin musician who is known to the wider public for the original music he creates with his bands, as well as the Montenegrin video game “Bleak Faith”, and he recently also managed to attract attention with his performance at Montesong with other members of the band Baryak. About how he fit in with the rest of the female team, Vijesti’s interviewee says:
"It's not at all difficult to match the energy with us. Martel was chosen because of his incredible passion, irresistible energy, sharp mind and production genius that we heard once and believe me, that one time was enough. We immediately imagined him on stage. And when he comes to us as an idea, we simply have to put it into practice with the consent of our colleague, of course. We are very proud that he comes to us because that idea has been around for a long time. It seems that the time has come for that genius to be brought through the sound system it deserves, and to the ears of those who may not have listened to it yet," she notes, adding that they are convinced that both sexes have both a masculine and feminine aspect.
"Martel is undoubtedly an ideal team player in all respects. Fitting in is not a challenge, but rather an ease and synchronization. We can't wait to hear him, and we firmly believe that everyone else will too," says DJ Stamina Vu, and looks back on the fact whether and how much more women have been given space at other parties, or whether they are still only being pushed by the Ecstatic Move organization, at whose parties they get their "five minutes":
"We perceive a woman's 'five minutes' as biased, and we find it a satisfying experience, regardless of the organization. It's their moment, and our role is always to support them wherever and whatever they do. However, Ecstatic parties are not based on that concept. But they are based on the desire for women to be encouraged, to come out, to show what they know and to be happy. We love it when they 'break'," explains DJ Stamina Vu and claims that "Ecstatic Move" would not have started if they hadn't noticed that women lacked more space on the music scene.
"That's why we exist, everything started and continued from the soul, and as they gain more space through the organization, we must emphasize absolute reciprocity because one cannot exist without the other and vice versa. We want to say that the organization also gained its place on the scene thanks to all of them. Because there was joint commitment, struggle, team efforts, ideas, creativity, positive stress, a lot of help and support, deeper acquaintances, socializing, team building, advice, agreements, reaching out out of solidarity and empowerment... A lot of respect, love, freedom, tolerance, appreciation of the diversity of sound, exchange of opinions even though sometimes they would not agree. Not everything is always perfect, of course, a hundred people - a hundred moods. But we have each other's backs," explains how the "Ecstatic Move" organization functions.
As he says, he will not neglect his male colleagues who come to "mix energies" and who give a quality stamp and are ready for equality not only in music, but also in other segments.
"This makes us happy and proves to be purposeful again. It ennobles the scene. At least that's what we think. And it could not have been that way. We started an organization with the aim of placing women on the market with all these theses listed above, and women responded to it with equal force. A synchronized meeting of energies occurred. That's why we see the "Ecstatic Move" organization as a movement for women where everyone who is ready knows where they can come, and when we recognize the potential and it seduces us with sound, we come for it. It's too early to talk about it, but pay attention to DJ Melanta. We wouldn't reveal anything further," advises DJ Stamina Vu.
The event's slogan is "You need a party." Since music is what moves and relieves, sometimes performers need a party so that they can "wash away negative energy as much as possible" with music during their performances, claims DJ Stamina Vu.
“Healing with music is sometimes better than sleep or a good shower, or a conversation with a friend. The slogan 'You Need a Party' came from a conversation between Martel and me where I wasn't absolutely sure whether to do this project in the middle of a chaotic period, known to everyone, dating back to the beginning of the New Year. Is it right to suddenly rush in with music and a project in the middle of all the events? I personally believe that people would benefit because we ourselves as performers heal, empty, and fill ourselves through it. However, do people need it just as much? I asked Martel for his opinion, and the moment he said 'absolutely yes', he kindly suggested that we highlight the project through that slogan. A memorable moment in a casual conversation that led to the slogan due to a bold decision with the best intentions, where I believe that if music is a vent and an answer to everything for us performers, then it must be for the audience as well. And it served for creativity,” says DJ Stamina Vu.
The name of the project is "Divine Trifecta", and the interviewee of "Vijesti" reveals what they are alluding to and what they promise the audience:
“'Divine Trifecta' means: Ilona Maraš, Martel and Laris. If you know the story of the Trojan horse that was thrown into the fortress, this is a situation where we introduce three great performers into a 'fortress' that is generally at rest in order to shake it up violently on March 15th. Even our videographer Aleksandar Vlahović, who we have been inseparable from since the first 'Ecstatic' project, experienced the name 'Divine Trifecta' this way when I explained the meaning to him. And he explained to me that it reminds him of this scene from the movie. All because of the fact that 'Trifecta' means the victory of three individuals, a triple team, a pact, action in the superlative, a harmonious trinity that will surely jointly conquer 'Maximus' and all who come. It also means unassailable professionalism, authenticity and attitude. It reminds us of the expression and meaning of the word Perfecta,” explains DJ Stamina Vu, who does not like to talk about herself, and this will be her first time opening a project and does not hide that she can't wait for that experience for a change.
"It will be a different treat. We promise the audience all of the above, the sound that they will hear for the first time on March 15th at 'Maximus', Ilona's most incredible energy in beatbreak, acid techno, eastern sound. A taboo number that will start everything, and which Kristina will perform as a dark and light feminine energy with a message about breaking taboo topics and behavior. We have said enough about Martel that he will scratch and stun, and Laris will be closing the event for the first time. So, get ready for her ride," concludes the interviewee of "Vijesti".
It is important that we use electronic music to promote Montenegro.
Some of the DJs who will perform at the event on March 15th have been doing sets for their YouTube channels in interesting places in Montenegro. Our country has beautiful landscapes, and since music connects people, DJ Stamina believes that it is important to use electronic music, which is popular all over the world, to promote our country.
"Montenegro is beautiful and there are so many places that still need to be marked, recorded, and broadcast through recorded sets. It is important to promote the country in this way. Maybe we should do it more often. Because all over the world, electronic music has almost become a leading force. I know that all foreign performers are always happy to come to us. Although it happens that before arriving, they don't even know where Montenegro is. That woke us up just enough to conclude that we should work on promoting Montenegro through the YouTube channel and through the music we make as a country where electronic music is alive and well, and not everything is shown. Social networks dominate, YouTube and recordings are a bit neglected, but from reliable sources with several colleagues, I hear that they are starting recordings. Everyone in their own way and in the places they can think of, but it is important that we get active. That can only help us win," DJ Stamina Vu is sure.
Bonus video:
