Born in Kiev, Alinka has a unique power on the decks and in the studio. A world traveler, Chicago, Detroit and other European cities that are a staple in electronic music influence her sound and style. Alinka’s “Control Transmission” marks her return to Damian Lazarus’s Crosstown Rebels. Her last appearance on the label was in 2016 featuring a collaboration with Shaun J. Wright. Her latest release demonstrates her versatile sound that is inspired by her experience in scenes across the world.
This release is about human curiosity and imagination, accessing different parts of ourselves and the world through exploration. The journey to find something beyond our everyday perceived reality and limitations.
Alinka on “Control Transmission”
“Control Transmission” begins with robust 909 drums as the claps resound with force. The bass, a razor-sharp, distorted and filtered charge is introduced commanding attention, further electro inspired samples and effects are layered in this powerful track. Her other track “Day Zero” captures the spirit of the Mayan jungles with synths that propel with energy, ebbing and flowing with mystical chords that give a nod to the famous festival spearheaded by the label head Damian Lazarus.
The now Berlin-based DJ and producer shares more about her latest records, growing up in Chicago and how music has always been a form of healing and creative release.
I think it was a definite shock to the system, but in a way, I feel like you need a shock to the system to create change and growth
Alinka’s outlook on COVID
Hi thanks for taking the time to chat with 6AM. How are you? How long have you been in Berlin now?
Hey, thank you for having me! I’m doing ok, still learning to navigate around everything that’s happening but learning a lot so I’m grateful. I’ve been in Berlin four and a half years now.
2020 has really made all of us look in the mirror. On a personal level, what do you make of everything going on?
I think it was a definite shock to the system, but in a way, I feel like you need a shock to the system to create change and growth. I know, like many artists before this, I wasted too much energy feeling anxious or comparing myself and feeling like life is moving too quickly to stop and enjoy it. I’ve learned it’s vital to be present and be grateful for each moment because nothing is promised to us. This was an important lesson that changed my life in 2012, but I think it’s easy to get caught up in the matrix and forget.
A positive piece of news and a major win for equal treatment. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled for gay and transgender rights in the workplace protecting from discrimination. Even though you’re not Stateside anymore, do you have any comments amidst everything going on?
I am very happy about this news of course. I can’t believe it took this long or that it was even up for debate, but obviously the end result is what matters. There is still a long way to go in the world obviously, but I’m happy they’re taking steps to address these issues.
Has music and your craft made this time a little easier? Do you find it a form of release?
A bit of both. I went through a stage where I put a lot of pressure on myself to be productive all the time. I wrote a lot of music, but a lot of it felt forced which isn’t me or how I like to work. I got to a point now where I only write when I feel like it and that feels much better. I also wrote a lot of lyrics, poems and started making animated videos. Finding other ways to be creative and pass the time.
Music has always been very therapeutic for me. I know it became more emotional during this time because everything feels monumental. I had a few weeks where my whole life and career were flashing before my eyes and every time I sat down to write or record a mix it was very emotional. There was lots of crying, but I think it’s all been very necessary. It’s like a snake shedding its skin.
I think Chicago will always be one of my favorite places in the world. It’s beautiful and very real. You hear it in the music and you feel it when you meet people from there.
Alinka Reflects on the City that Birthed House Music
We share something in common: Chicago! You moved there in the late 80s –birth years of house music—how was it like for you growing up?
When we got there it was super surreal since we came from the USSR. I don’t remember even hearing any music other than some illegal tapes my parents had before we came to America. So we went from a very limited world to the U.S. which is massive in every sense. I think Chicago will always be one of my favorite places in the world. It’s beautiful and very real. You hear it in the music and you feel it when you meet people from there. It’s just a very special place, it’s very inspiring.
I started hearing house music on the radio in my early teenage years when I was making mixtapes in my room. I didn’t know it would shape my whole life. It was a magical time there. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Looking back, what most inspired you when living there?
The people. The talent pool in Chicago is just insane. I started playing records, going to Gramaphone weekly, and going out in the city to hear the local legends. I always tried to absorb as much as I could and learn from them. I think having those mentors to inspire me is the reason I’m still here. They really shaped me and taught me invaluable lessons.
I think it’s also the work ethic and knowing how hard you have to work to get to a level you’re accepted there. You always play to a room full of DJs or heads in Chicago and they know the music inside out. Sometimes it feels like they’re all just standing there waiting for you to fuck up, so you go home and you practice until you don’t fuck up, and then eventually you get a nod of approval if you’ve earned it.
Believe in yourself, and find people that lift you up and make you believe anything is possible. You’re not guaranteed a tomorrow, do everything you want to today. Don’t stop dreaming.
Advice from the Alinka of the Now to Alinka of the Past
You’re playing in an upcoming live stream as part La Fleur’s virtual stage Power Plant for a virtual festival. Have you been participating in many live streams? Any reactions to them or are you nervous about the “crowd-less” dynamics?
This is actually a virtual festival inside the Minecraft game so not quite a live stream as we are all avatars inside the game. I haven’t done any live streams for personal reasons. I’m not against them at all, if people like doing them more power to them. I’m especially happy for the ones raising money for charity.
For me personally, I don’t like the focus to be on myself when I’m DJing. I find this really difficult so being there with no crowd and all the focus on me seems very painful. I can’t say if this is how I will always feel, but I think these first months it’s made more sense for me to avoid them and record mixes instead. I’m very excited about the virtual festival though, I’ve never done one before so I’m very happy La Fleur asked me to be part of the Power Plant stage, and the lineup is amazing!
Photo courtesy of Yacoub Chakarji
These tracks are about that human curiosity and using our imagination to access different parts of ourselves and the universe, and the journey to find something beyond our everyday limitations.
Alinka Shares Meaning Behind Her Latest Records
Tell us about your releases “Control Transmission” and “Day Zero.” What’s in them and their titles, and why the Crosstown Rebels label?
Well, Crosstown Rebels for many reasons. It’s a legendary label run by Damian Lazarus who I very much respect and admire. They’ve released some incredible music all these years, and they continue to push boundaries creatively which is vital for me in the labels I want to work with. I worked on these tracks in the fall which was a time of a lot of self-discovery for me. I was a sponge creatively finding inspiration from art, films and everything around me because I finally had the time and space in my life to do it.
These tracks are about that human curiosity and using our imagination to access different parts of ourselves and the universe, and the journey to find something beyond our everyday limitations.
I don’t really know what tomorrow holds, but I hope we remember why we got into this thing and bring back some of that feeling and love to whatever comes next.
COVID-19, A Musical Reset to Bring Back the Depth in Music
Any advice you’d give to your younger self?
Believe in yourself, and find people that lift you up and make you believe anything is possible. You’re not guaranteed a tomorrow, do everything you want to today. Don’t stop dreaming.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I hope, as an industry, we come out of this better, more aware and grow from all of this. Not just [going] back to business as usual. I don’t think it was very sustainable the way things were heading before all this. I don’t really know what tomorrow holds, but I hope we remember why we got into this thing and bring back some of that feeling and love to whatever comes next.
