Simina Grigoriu: I love my career. I love my fans. But family comes first.

Today we had pleasure to talk with charming Simina Grigoriu!

Romanian-born, Toronto-bred Simina Grigoriu has been steadily racking up accolades during her decade-long career. Starting off as a DJ, she quickly made the transition as a producer and kicked off her own label Kuukou, a home for techno forward productions, where she calls all the shots. In this time she's also transplanted to Berlin, a place she now calls home and the major source of her creative inspiration, a source as diverse as her influences.

We talked to the techno diva about her early years in the industry, new releases incl. Mission District EP released on OFF Recordings and remix for M87 - Juheun and many more things.

Read it now!
— Hello Simina! First of all, thank you for talking to us! How are you?
— I'm well, thank you! I've recently started playing out again and it feels great.
— Please, tell us more about your path in the industry. How did you start DJing and producing?
— I was in my 20's and had some friends who were techno promoters in Toronto. I was interested in the craft, not just the sound, so I saved up 2 grand, bought myself a X:ONE 92 and borrowed a couple of turntables and players from my buddies. I spent all my free time outside of university (and later, my corporate job in advertising) playing records and learning Ableton. I had some small, random shows in Toronto but it wasn't until I moved to Berlin in 2008 that I started doing this fully and professionally. The rest is history.
— Year by year your profile is getting stronger in electronic music scene. How do you feel about becoming an "influencer"?
— I despise the term "influencer" and find nothing cool or sexy about it. What I can say is this: I know people are watching and some of those people are young and look up to me. I also have two children and a family to think about so what goes up on the grid is somewhat curated as to not offend or bash anyone. Ten years ago I didn't give a fuck what people thought but today I have to consider that my actions (even via an instagram post) could and might influence others. I try to stay respectful (even if I feel like screaming my alternative political opinions out to the world) as I know sometimes people take things to heart and that I am responsible (somehow) for what someone else might do. Maybe it's a Mom thing—the mindfulness, I mean. I never used to be mindful. I was the most selfish person in the world before having children. I'm still trying to find that balance between belting out my opinions and considering the consequences of doing as such.
— Are you already back to having gigs? How does your touring schedule look like?
— Yes! I had a break after giving birth to our baby, Victoria Rosalie in February and now that the world is open again, I'm super happy to travel again. I don't go on long tours and if I have to travel, I keep it short (late flight out, early flight back) so I can spend as much time as possible with my family. I've also paid my dues and am now picking my shows. Years ago, I would play absolutely any club or festival. Today, I do the pros and cons. I love my career. I love my fans. But family comes first.
— Your new remix for Juheun's "M87" is coming in October on Set About. What can you tell about the release?
— I can say it's a pleasure working with Set About again and I have only respect for Juheun's work. Finding remixers to "fit" your vision is not easy and I'm honoured he's chosen me for this one. His music is awesome and I'm going to be requesting for some tracks for Kuukou, for sure.
— What else is in store for Simina Grigoriu in the upcoming future?
— I've got a few more records coming out this year including a releases on OFF, Complexed Records as well as my own imprint, Kuukou Records. I also have the third and final volume of my "Techno Monkey Remixed" featuring Hollen, Skober and DESNA. Tours are coming in slowly but there are still so many restrictions and I don't have the luxury of quarantining "on vacation" for a week somewhere as our oldest is in school and I can't pull her away for such a thing. So I go where I can and I'm happy to do it.

Thank you!!!