The founder of Radio.D59B on the first CD he ever bought, positive vibrations, and the similarities between Berlin and Belgrade’s music scenes.
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How did you get into music and what were some of the first tracks or artists you remember listening to?
I started buying music in the late ’90s from street vendors who sold CDs and used records in front of Belgrade’s student cultural center, the SKC. One of the first CDs I bought was São Paulo Confessions by Mitar Subotic, also known as Suba. It is still one of my favorite albums.
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When did you discover that music could be a career path?
Music is my passion but from the beginning I knew that it would never become my main career. What’s most important to me is being surrounded by like-minded people and to create spaces where everyone can share ideas.
“I picked eleven chill tracks to create cozy vibes and help make it really pleasant to be at home while you make yourself a nice cup of coffee, listen to the mixtape, and know that everything’s going to be ok.”
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You founded Radio.D59B in 2018. What was the motivation behind starting the station?
Radio.D59B is a family project founded in 2018 by yours truly, my younger sister Aleksandra, and my two older brothers Petko and Oliver. We wanted to create a platform to promote DJs and artists who don’t have a lot of exposure in the mainstream media. Our plan for the future is to expand and promote artists from all kinds of music genres.
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It’s based between Belgrade and Berlin. What are the differences and similarities between the music scenes in each of these cities?
There are many similarities, particularly in the energy and spirit of the DJs, artists, and audiences in both cities. Sure there are some obvious differences present, but from my experience working with both D59B Belgrade and D59B Berlin, the essence is mostly the same.
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How has the global pandemic impacted the radio station’s activities?
In some ways COVID-19 has negatively impacted the way Radio D59B has operated this year. However, I have found that most of our resident artists have used their free time to put in extra work and push their musical careers even further. As a result our radio programming has grown in volume, translating into more love and positive vibrations that we are able to send out to our listeners.
“Our radio programming has grown in volume, translating into more love and positive vibrations that we are able to send out to our listeners.”
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How has the global pandemic impacted the radio station’s activities?
In some ways COVID-19 has negatively impacted the way Radio D59B has operated this year. However, I have found that most of our resident artists have used their free time to put in extra work and push their musical careers even further. As a result our radio programming has grown in volume, translating into more love and positive vibrations that we are able to send out to our listeners.
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How did you pick the tracks for your FvF mixtape?
Because we are all stuck inside at the moment, I picked eleven chill tracks to create cozy vibes and help make it really pleasant to be at home while you make yourself a nice cup of coffee, listen to the mixtape, and know that everything’s going to be ok.
Along with his brothers and sisters, Andrija Eric founded Radio.D59B in 2018. Based between Berlin and Belgrade, the online music platform endeavours to promote quality music created by established and non-professional musicians alike. This interview was produced as part of our Mixtape series, in which international creatives curate playlists of music that inspires them. Head over to the Mixtape section to find out more.
