Sonus Interview with local legend Felver

Following last month’s interview feature with Sonus Festivals After Movie Director, we got inspired to hear more about Croatia where the festival is held. This brought us to reaching out to Felver, one of the Sonus resident DJ’s who’s been Zagreb based for 26 years. Croatia has fast become Europe’s number one festival clubbing destination and every year the country which has a population of just 4.1 million his visited by over 16 million tourists, many who visiting for their unique festivals that are set in absolutely stunning locations such as Pag Island, where you’ll find Sonus.
From boat parties to club takeovers, beach raves to all day kicks ons, there’s a party for everyone and Sonus has been representing and leading the way for the global tech house scene for 6 years. Enough from us, here’s what local legend Felver has to say…
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Felver. Marijan Felver. Nice of you to have called in, much appreciated. I’ve been a Zagreb-based DJ for the past 26 years, trying to spearhead music throughout Croatia to the best of my ability. True, being a DJ is my primary calling, but I’ve tried to have my career evolved by working as a radio musical editor and a program manager for many clubs. Another thing I take very seriously is promotion, as it puts me in touch with people in whose work I’m interested. I think of it as an audience-to-audience connection, by putting their-to-mine audience together. 
Where are you originally from?
Natural breed of Zagreb!
Croatian tourism has exploded in the past few years. Do you feel this has been a good thing for the local music scene?
Over the past twenty years, the Croatian electronic scene has changed at so many levels. New blossoms and critical points, the whole nine yards. I would think that the most important change has to do with the size of the scene. Nowadays, it’s a way bigger, more dynamic and much more developed. This may be thanked to the hard work of local DJs and a multitude of summer festivals across the Croatian coast in the last ten years or so.
Croatia has a huge festival scene from Soundwave in Tisno, Ultra in Split, Sonus in Zrce to Outlook in Pula. Which is your favourite?
Well I either performed at or visited each of these places. A performer or a visitor, I always had a wonderful time. Sonus linked in with me from its very beginning, and while Istria is one of my all-time favourites, I must say that my heart goes with Zrće and Pag on this one.  
After a big night out do you go for some Čevape or a Burek?
 Always secretly on my menu, but I save it for not so big occasions. I keep it for the more ordinary times. You know, when you’re not so much impressed with other things that would otherwise distract you from Ćevapi and Burek. 
What would you say is a must-see destination in Croatia?
Croatia is a very diverse country, a true beauty. Not a big country, but with scores of things to see, even if you just talk about Zagreb and its vicinity. The coast and the island, more than a thousand of them for that matter, would the be point to start your journey. The indented coast would just take much more to sail around, but it’s not such a bad thing, right? The continental part, it’s a wonder. So, it is very difficult, clumsy on my part for that matter, to name a few interesting places. But, let’s do it… the wines of Ilok, plains of Slavonia, hills of Zagorje, my Zagreb, Istria’s magic, Kornati with its sail, the wonderful Split, the landlocked lakes, the mountains if you feel like it…, just take a pick.
How do you compare it to Ibiza?
Never been to Ibiza, only heard it was fun. Will make my way to it as soon as I get a chance. It must be quite the same sentiment as over here, but there should be difference, otherwise I would not want to go. 
There are a few underground destinations the Beats Travellers love to party at, such as Kocka in Split. What is your favourite underground rave spot?
The Stereotip Sundays’, the Masters and the Funk in Zagreb. 
There are other locations in the Balkans that also throw great parties and festival such as Serbia but it’s quite clear Croatia is the place that has risen on the map. Why do you think this is?
The Croatian coast makes one of the biggest stages to organise clubbing and festival-type events. A thousand islands to choose from, and it’s been quite a spur for the hoist of interest. The Belgrade scene, the traditional zing to Sarajevo dynamics, Slovenia’s Ljubljana, all the great places. Croatia follows an upward trend because of a persistently had work by all of us. And it pays off. 
What is the best party you have played at over the years? And is there a favourite club of yours that people should not miss on their time in Croatia?
There are so many people and clubs, so much groove brought about by each and every one of them. Almost impossible to single out one of them, it depends on the day of the week. And every day brings its own surprise. The best thing for me is to be on the lookout and get surprised. If not, well tomorrow’s another day
If you have one day off at a festival. What would you be doing? Heading to the beaches, trekking up mountains or something else? What’s would you recommend we get up to?
Quite honestly, I don’t really care what and where, people of my choice would be my pick. If I had the people I loved around me, I can sit at a treetop or in a five-star hotel. It’s all about who makes your juices running. It’s about the atmosphere and the energy. So, I can climb the mountains or be at beaches, or at home, as long as I’m happy with what turned to be the best party I threw yesterday. 
If you had 24 hours to travel to around Croatia what’s your top 3? i.e. must eat, must see, must do, must meet…
 All four criteria met with these one:
At Draško’s in Zagreb, but you need me for this one as you can’t get in without a referee.
Come and say at Sonus Festival 2018.
Interview by Matt Hairsnape Director of Beats Travel – www.beats-travel.com

Sonus Festival Phase 2 Line Up Announced

Even more names added for Sonus Festival’s 6th edition, Archie Hamilton, Boris Brejcha, Craig Richards, Dr. Rubinstein, Ralf, The Martinez Brothers and many more to join
TIME WARP Presents: Sonus Festival
19th – 23rd August 2018
Pag Island, Croatia
Early birds + Tier 1: SOLD OUT
Tickets now from €179: www.sonus-festival.com/tickets
Following a mammoth fifth birthday last year, Sonus is back for its sixth outing in 2018. 5 days and nights of unrivalled partying between 19th – 23rd August set in the hedonistic paradise of Zrce Beach, Sonus Festival boasts its strongest lineup to date. Underground music lovers from around the globe will descend again on the Zrce Beach, Croatia for a one of a kind adventure combining impeccable beaches, world-class artists and unbeatable programming. Adding to the spectacular line up, Archie Hamilton, Boris Brejcha, Craig Richards, The Martinez Brothers and Rossko are some of the names making a welcome addition, including many Sonus Festival debuts. The line-up brings together a monumental list of acts from each corner of the globe, alongside legends of the
local Croatian circuit, making it the go-to house and techno party this summer. Standard tickets are available to buy from www.sonus-festival.com, from €179 – act fast as Early Bird and Tier 1 have already sold out!
With an incredible bill of international heavyweights, Sonus have pulled out all the stops for their most impressive bill to date – and the newest additions are massive. Across Aquarius, Kalypso and Papaya, there’ll be over 40 artists playing including many debuts, led by two exclusive live performances by Stephan Bodzin and Johannes Brecht. Fabric legend Craig Richards and FuseLondon-resident Rossko will bring their distinctive blend of techno and house, in addition to a highly anticipated first
appearance by Italian DJ icon Ralf. Digby, Italian DJ Skizzo and Romanian all-star Cezar add more groove to the lineup, whilst Dr. Rubinstein and Boris Brejcha bring uncompromised techno to the Adriatic coast.
Welcomed back to Sonus Festival stages with open arms, The Martinez Brothers as well as Swiss Nordstern-Resident Andrea Oliva. FuseLondon legend Archie Hamilton brings his expert selections to the dance, as favourite leading lady Cassy. The Croatian scene will be represented by none other than Mariano Mateljan, who is joined by an array of local heroes of the likes of Andrea Ljekaj, Felver, Marina Karamarko, Groovyman, Kristijan Molnar and Yesh.
All this on top of the already announced acts including Adam Beyer, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Maceo Plex, Marco Carola, Pan-Pot, Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Solomun, Sven Väth to techno ladies Amelie Lens, Charlotte de Witte, Nastia and more. Still to be announced are stage breakdowns, the infamously wild after hour parties, and legendary boat parties.
Year on year, Sonus partners up with the hottest clubbing institutes the world round for infamous showcases. After joining forces with Junction 2 and Movement in 2017, both brands are back for 2018.
Following memorable takeovers last year, 100% JC, FuseLondon, Keep on Dancing, Secret Society and Romanian summer festival Sunwaves will be back to add their own vibe. Newcomers to the network are
French electronic festival virtuosos, The Peacock Society, Belgium’s finest, Fuse, Redimension, and the Swiss Techno-Mecca Nordstern. Media partners Resident Advisor and XLR8R will again be the hosts for two parties – expect massive sets by the finest artist.
Cosmopop party promoters have established Sonus Festival as the go-to party for any house and techno aficionado, combining a jaw-dropping all star bill, unrivalled production, and infamous after parties, set along the glittering Adriatic coast. As the team behind Time Warp, “one of the most preeminent techno festivals”, there’s a strong close-knit feel. Together with the We Love Sound crew, the gang are known for bringing along the Cosmopop familia from their two decade journey for their perfect summer rave adventure. Rest assured you’re in safe hands with this one! From Hawtin closing (and crowdsurfing) in 2015 to Seth Troxler and Martinez Brother’s epic B2B in 2017, expect more special Sonus memories to be made at this years’ momentous event.
World renowned as the best place in the universe to experience a sun-soaked festival, Croatia is the perfect spot to combine a holiday and festival, from just €294. The sunkissed Zrce Beach is a dreamy combination of golden beaches, on-site clubs and beautiful waves fit for Sonus Festivals prolific boat parties. Pag Island is easily accessible from Zadar / Split / Zagreb, with flights from London and other European destinations at under €200. With many travel and accommodation options, whatever your budget, Sonus Festival has you covered. Head to www.sonus-festival.com for information, with official packages for hotels and tickets available via official travel partners Collegium, Festicket & Papaya Travel.
With the launch of its brand new social channel on VIBER, fans can get touch with likeminded spirits, share their passion for the festival and find out useful info online. Everyone can follow Sonus on Viber, either
through downloading the unique Sonus Stickers [https://vb.me/sonusstickers] or joining the official Sonus
Community [https://vb.me/sonus2018community]. With over 1 billion users, Viber is one of the leading communication platforms. Countless leading global brands and celebrities have their own Viber channels,
where fans can follow the freshest news and exclusive content. Some of the brands like Sonus, also have their bots, automated virtual assistants who can help you choose and share content, get useful information
like the festival line-up, answers to FAQ’s or even buy tickets which are already available on Sonus
Festival’s Chat Bot at Viber. You can subscribe here [https://vb.me/sonus2018chatbot].
Early birds and tier 1 tickets have already SOLD OUT, but second release tickets are now on sale at €179, via www.sonus-festival.com. With further artists, boat parties and more to be announced it’s set to be a vintage year. Do not sleep on your chance to dance with Sonus Festival as the hedonistic Zrce Beach reaches new levels of techno majesty.

TIME WARP Presents: Sonus Festival

19th – 23rd August 2018
Pag Island, Croatia
Early birds + tier 1: SOLD OUT
SECOND RELEASE TICKETS €159: www.sonus– festival.com