DJ Tibor Holoda (Ex U Club/Club Bourgois/Spojka/Wilsonic B`lava SK)
Tibor Holoda (aka DJ Tibor Holoda) is highly regarded throughout Europe as Slovakia’s foremost DJ. He is the most significant and respected artist and individual from Slovak electronic music culture both at home, and abroad. Tibor’s high demand brings him to clubs, festivals and cultural events from Prague to Budapest and everywhere in between. Every weekend, Tibor jets around the continent bringing his ecclectic mix of house and techno to his fans. He has performed at a variety of high profile venues throughout the world, in Paris, Vienna, Barcelona and Toronto just to name a few. Tibor’s DJ career spans over a decade. His technical precision and his ability to flawlessly rock any crowd, reflects his long and respectable history behind the decks. He has performed alongside almost every international DJ that has graced the stage of Eastern Europe. With the recent introduction of Final Scratch into his sets, and with his extensive DJ and producer contacts throughout the world, many high profile producers have given Tibor a plethora of unreleased material and rarities for him to play in his sets. A majority of the music Tibor plays won’t see vinyl for months or will remain unreleased.
U.Club
Always ahead of his time, Tibor was the first DJ to introduced techno and house music to Slovakia in the first place. Tibor is the founder of the legendary „bunker under the castle“, U.Club. Alongside DJ-partner DJ Dalo (Tresor, Pure Plastic, Olga + Jozef), Tibor and Dalo maintained their residency at Uclub for five years, remarkably influencing the evolutionary process of the young Slovak club culture. DJ Toky (Tresor, Numb) joined the duo five years later. They packed Uclub with enthusiastic fans every weekend for it’s ten year lifespan. Uclub is historically regarded as the roots of Eastern European techno and many DJ’s and producers list the club as one of their favourite venues in the world. U.Club has hosted the „creme de la creme“ of international DJs. Introducing Slovakia to such esteemed Dj’s and acts as Neil Landstrumm (1995) or Jeff Mills (1996), Andrew Wetherall, David Holmes, Regis, James Ruskin and Mark Broom among the many others. Unfortunately, Uclub closed it’s doors in January when the crew decided to redirect their attention towards music production.
Subtech Booking
In 1998, the crew alongside Dalo’s brother Brano, established the Subtech booking agency. The agency was founded on the premise that a viable infrastructure exist to properly represent Slovak producers and DJ‘s. The agency has been instrumental in the development of Slovak electronic music culture with strong ties in Spain, England, Canada, Austria and Germany.
Radio
Tibor was also one of the first to bring alternative radio to Slovakia in 1993. Radio was essential in delivering unheard music to a country with a shattered economy. Most citizens of Slovakia could not afford to buy records or travel to concerts out of the country. Bratislava was widely known as the Detroit of Europe and the fragmented early years of post-communist Slovakia needed a starting point. Radio Ragtime was it. The famous program ran from 1993 to1998. Radio Ragtime was the main voice of the alternative music scene in Slovakia and had a huge impact on the domestic electronic music culture. Currently Tibor programs a weekly radio show on Slovak National Radio (RFM : 89.3 fm) together with his long time friend and an ex-Radio Ragtime colleague Daniel Balaz.
Wilsonic Festival
Tibor also manages and curates the world reknowned Wilsonic Festival which he organizes with his friend, writer and publicist, Michal Hvorecky. Founded in 2000, Wilsonic’s primary mandate was to introduce Slovakia to new and innovative electronic music culture from around the world. Past artists include : Funkstoerung, Ricardo Villalobos, Thomas Brinkmann, Luciano, Jeff Milligan, Jake Mandell, Safety Scissors, Trueby Trio, B.Fleischmann, Lali Puna, Dona Reginna, Keith Teniswood, Herrmann & Kleine, Crane AK, Max Tundra and Gus Gus among many other local acts. Wilsonic’s primary objective however, is to open Slovak music culture to the rest of the world, showcasing local artists with their international counterparts, establishing dialog between Slovakia and the globe.
On top of Tibor’s impressive list of pursuits (He’s also a graphic designer) he is now poised to present his original compositions to the world. After years of studio dwelling, Tibor feels that he has finally honed and devolped his sound. Releases and remixes are slated for a few highly respected international record labels (top secret for now) so be on the lookout at your local record shop.