DJ Xani: From Fence-Jumping to Ultra, Split Among Top 5 Party Destinations
Young Split DJ Drago Antunović realized his childhood dream last year with a performance at Ultra Europe, and now he's releasing his debut single, "Fall Apart."
Young Split DJ Drago Antunović realized his childhood dream last year with a performance at Ultra Europe, and now he's releasing his debut single, "Fall Apart."
Croatia's electronic music scene has a new original name. Split DJ Drago Antunović, who performs under the stage name DJ Xani, released his debut single "Fall Apart" on Friday. The 27-year-old performed at the Ultra Europe festival in Split last year, having started his musical journey as a teenager by jumping the fence at that very festival, as reported by DalmacijaDanas.
DJ Xani entered the world of electronic music in 2014, when he was just 15 years old. As he told DalmacijaDanas, the decisive factors were his parents' pressure to find a job as soon as possible and inspiration from global stars. "My parents told me I had to find a job as soon as possible, as I suppose every parent tells their child at that age. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I had finished music school and knew I saw myself in music. At the time, my biggest inspiration was Martin Garrix, so I decided to give it a shot," he said.
His first equipment came from his grandmother, followed by painstaking practice. "I literally learned from two knobs. I practiced and practiced, and then the very next summer I got my first gigs in Split's cafés and clubs. That's how it all started," he recalled. Today, his resume includes performances in Dublin, Norway, on cruise ships, and at the renowned Noa Beach Club on Zrće.
Although he has performed across Europe, his favorite career moment happened right in Croatia. "I was very privileged to have the opportunity to play in many places. Still, I'd say my favorite performance was at Noa Beach Club on Zrće. At the time, it was among the top ten clubs in the world. You play after the headliner in front of two thousand people and have to keep the energy up. That's the moment you feel you've made it," he shared.
Particularly emotional was his performance at the Ultra Europe festival, which he got the chance to do thanks to his friend Dado, who was in charge of booking DJs for the Radio Stage and UMF Stage. "When Ultra first came to Split, I was 15 and jumping the fence because I didn't have money for a ticket. I just wanted to hear Martin Garrix. It's incredible that a few years later I found myself on the same stage. That was my 'full circle' moment: from a kid jumping the fence to a DJ performing at Ultra. I'll remember that feeling for the rest of my life," he emphasized.
Performing across Europe taught him how much musical tastes vary from country to country. "It's still best to play at home. But I've learned that Germans are the hardest to get dancing. If there's no techno or their kind of music, it's tough to get them moving. Brits have songs that always work, and in Split, there's an interesting mix of Italians, French, English, and locals. It's important to read the crowd and adapt," he explained.
He describes his style as open format, refusing to limit himself to just house or techno. "I don't want to limit myself to just house or techno. I like to play R&B, hip-hop, and pop too, because I want as many tools as possible to get the crowd moving. If there are more girls on the floor, they might react better to Rihanna or Sean Paul, while guys will more often ask for house and tech house," he said.
His debut single "Fall Apart" came about after returning from Berlin, where he studied music production. "I came back to Split and felt nostalgia. After cold Berlin, I heard the crickets again and felt that summer was coming. That very feeling was the inspiration for the song," Drago revealed. Although many equate DJing with production, he stresses they are two completely different worlds. "As a DJ, I play and mix other people's songs. Production is something entirely different. You have to have an idea, inspiration, and create a song from scratch. I usually start with a vocal that has emotion and build the whole story around it."
Despite some nerves, DJ Xani is optimistic. "Of course there's a bit of stage fright, but there's no reason to be afraid. If this song doesn't succeed, I'll make a new one. Eventually, one will find its way to the audience," he said. He's also aware of how demanding the music industry is: "All successful DJs have five to ten years of serious work behind them before they release a song that grabs attention."
The competition on the electronic scene today is incomparably greater than a decade ago. "Back in the day, there were a few DJs in Split; now there are dozens. That's why it's much harder to succeed today," he said. Still, he believes there's room for the talented and persistent. "You have to be original, humble, and brave. Most people will give you a chance rather than turn you away. At 16, I knocked on the doors of Central, introduced myself, and got the gig. If I hadn't asked, I never would have played there."
His advice to young people considering a DJ career is not to expect quick money. "For the first five years, you probably won't earn seriously. If you're getting into this for money or fame, I don't think that's the right reason. Everything has to come from a love of music."
Although he has traveled across Europe, Drago is convinced his hometown is at the very top. "For me, Split is still the most beautiful. We have Diocletian's Palace, top-notch clubs, and a great atmosphere. Ultra isn't here by chance. The organizers know very well why they've been in Split for fifteen years now," he concluded. He doesn't rule out further development of the scene: "Maybe one day another big festival at Poljud wouldn't be a bad idea. But even now, I think Split is among the top five European cities for nightlife and electronic music."
He sees Croatia's electronic scene as extremely potent, highlighting the success of his peers. "Croatia is a small country, but we have Matroda, San Pacho, Lost Sky, and many more DJs performing worldwide. That shows it's possible to succeed," said DJ Xani, whose single "Fall Apart" has been available on all streaming platforms since Friday.
