Vegim Hashimi is considered as one of pioneers in the Kosovo techno scene. For many years now, he has produced many Eps and mixes released on New Rhythmic, DMOM, ATT Series, Planet Rhythm, Clergy to name a few. Since 2006, he co-runs TMM records and Alhena Records with Flekitza. Short interview from his studio in Croatia.

Where do you come from? 

I come from a small town called Peja in Kosovo and grew up in a musical family; my father was a singer who went on tours. Now, when I remember, it feels similar to what I do, though I perform rather than sing. My childhood was wonderfully chaotic and filled with love, being the only child. Despite my country's unfortunate history of conflict, it never dampened my passion for music. I suppose I needed something to briefly escape reality. :)

How did you discover electronic music?

When I was ten, I had a neighbour who lived one floor above me with an incredible sound system. It was so powerful that everything would shake from the music he played. Sensing my keen interest in music, he began giving me recorded cassettes filled with his favorite disco tunes. That ignited a passion within me, and I haven't stopped collecting tracks since. I adored all kinds of music, but when I discovered Kraftwerk on one of those cassettes, it felt like the music of the future, little did I know what I was getting into.

Your main music influences?

Kraftwerk, Front 242.

Your first approach to Djing?

This began when I was friends with a rap band and had the role of playing their instrumentals in the background during live concert performances. I was playing Drum n Bass and Hip hop. I fell in love with it and have not stopped since.

What about Alhena records and TMM records?

TMM Records was established in 2006 with the initial goal of releasing only my creations. However, it evolved into something much larger than I had envisioned. My aim was to distribute the music I love and produce, so that I could also play it in clubs and festivals. At that time, there were not many record labels, and none were present in my country. On the other side there is Alhena Records, our small baby dedicated to the most profound real underground techno. No compromise.

Top 3 venues/krews we should know in Kosovo?

Hapësira, Euphoria, Servis

Your best gig?

My most crazy gig took place in 2010 when I was booked to perform as Vegim and simultaneously under one of my new aliases at that time, which required wearing a gas mask. The first night, I performed as Vegim, and the following night, I was scheduled to play as Toxic Therapy, with gasmask on. Interestingly, the booker and promoter were unaware that Vegim and Toxic Therapy were the same person. The event was hosted in Spain and featured approximately 50 DJs over the course of two nights. After that, Toxic Therapy alias didn't last long. Breathing became difficult under the mask after ten minutes in a humid club; my glasses started to fog up, and everything else seemed to go very wrong.

The Dj who puts you crazy systematically?

Planetary Assault System

If you could teleport yourself for an hour, where would you choose to go?

Tokyo

Your top 5 new releases?
-Marc Faenger “Console” EP [Recorded Things]

-KØLPØS “Espíritus” EP [Loopaina Records]

-Roll Dann “Livro de Família” EP [Hayes]

-Kastil “K01” EP [Stale]

-P.A.ǝ.Z “Time & Space” [Alhena Records]

Your top 5 oldies?
-James Ruskin “Further Design” [Blueprint]

-Hardcell “Sweedish Steel” EP [Drumcode]

-Gaiden “Point Blank” (Speedy J Remix) [Music Man]

-Vincent de Wit, Bas Mooy “The Dreamers Exhaust Us” [Patterns]

-Olivier Giacomotto “Playground” [Lupp]

-Timo Maas / Thomas Schumacher “No Trance / Shelford Road” EP [BSL]

Vegim in 3 words?
Weird, Abstract, Hyper

Anything else?
Catch my latest release called Autostatic Ep out on TMM Records on stream below.

Interviewed by Sabrina Bouzidi