A Rhodesian mining vehicle and Garfield’s teddy bear; two things that share a name with Pookie – a member of the Nocturnal Groove family who has been DJing for nearly two decades after first breaking onto the scene in his native Serbia. With a mission to plaster a smile over the faces of those who come to see his sets, he’s now stepped up to mix the latest in the Nocturnal Grooves series. Here, we speak to him about the scene in Serbia, how he became involved with The Shapeshifters, and what exactly his name is all about…
How’s it going? Been up to anything interesting recently?
To be honest after all the years of my career, it’s never been better. The Nocturnal Grooves Vol.3 compilation is due out and l’m working on a remix for The Shapeshifters’ latest track ‘She Freaks’ which, for me, is definitely one of the biggest house tracks of 2010. Beside that, I’m preparing loads of new stuff for 2011.
Google the word ‘Pookie’ and you’ll find that it’s both Garfield’s teddy bear and a Rhodesian mining vehicle – which do you relate to more?
My full name is Igor Puljic and so Pookie comes out as a nickname from it. If you ask me to which one l relate more, it’s definitely the funny Teddy Bear that Garfield’s always having good times with!
Do you spend much time in your native Serbia? It’s not one of the first places which springs to mind when you think of house music…what’s the scene like there?
Since the beginning of my career l have probably played house music in every little corner of the region with a sound system. The situation in the club scene at the moment is kind of slow, but as with everything in life has its ups and downs. I’m pretty sure with Exit Festival, Belgrade Beer Fest and guys like Gramophonedzie who already put Serbia on the Music World Map, and loads of extremely talented kids around like Dave Floyd, it will grow up in the years to come.
What got you into music in the first place?
I grew up in a family where music always played an important role. Besides that, since l started going out in my teens, I always had some complaints about the DJs in the clubs l went too. Finally, in 1992 I decided start playing some eclectic sets that will entertain the crowd all night and make them leave the club with smile on their faces. Hope l succeed in this!
What’s it been like working with Simon and Max and the rest of the NG crew?
Meeting Simon, Lola & Max and becoming a part of the Nocturnal Groove family is probably the best thing that happened to me in my whole career. We met in Belgrade in 2004 when l booked them for their first Serbian gig. Since that time, l became a part of their small family where everybody really looks after each other with great respect and big love. They are responsible for most of my childhood dreams becoming true: playing at matter (London) earlier in 2010 & Global Gathering in summer 2009, as well as releasing tracks for Nocturnal Groove and Defected as well as many more things…
So the new compilation…what’s it all about?
My aim was to create a mix from the recent releases on Nocturnal Groove with the option to use some of the back catalogue stuff as well. With so many good tracks on the label from Roy Mclaren, Jason Chance, Miss Divine, Danism and many more in the past years it wasn’t an easy job. I really hope you will all like my selection.
Can you tell us about some of the highlights…
I am really proud to have Candi Staton – Musical Freedom (The Shapeshifters Re-Work) on this compilation, cause it’s one of the all time favorites.
Why should we go straight out and buy this compilation when it hits the digital shelves?
Nocturnal Groove is label that you should be watching out for in the forthcoming years. They are working with some great artists and releasing some excellent music at the moment. This new compilation shows their work at its best.
Nocturnal Grooves Vol.3 - mixed by Pookie is out 13th December - click to listen & pre-order
