Umek

Umek, the stage name of Uroš Umek, is a DJ and dance music composer from Ljubljana, Slovenia. Born in 1976, he begins DJing in 1993 and is active in electronic music from the early 1990s. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of electronic music in Slovenia and works across techno, minimal, minimal techno, electro, electronica and tech house.

Labels and releases

Umek owns several techno labels. In 1999 he founds Consumer Recreation and Recycled Loops; he co-runs Consumer Recreation with Valentino Kanzyani. Recycled Loops later forms the sublabel Earresistible Musick in 2001. In 2007 he founds the techno label 1605. He also releases music on Astrodisco.

DJ style and recognition

He gains notice around 2001 among European techno listeners for fast mixing and energetic DJ sets. He is known for performing with four turntables at the same time and for producing a large number of EPs and anthems. His single Posing As Me in 2006 becomes a major hit in Slovenia.

Collaborations and projects

In 2007 he works on the video-supported project Carbon Occasions with Croatian singer and lyricist Anđa Marić. The following year he organises an event called Dan Elektronike, or Electronica Day, on his birthday, 16 May.

Chart performance

Umek is ranked 29th in DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs list for 2007. He then remains in the Top 100 DJs chart in the following years through 2015.

Other act

He is also associated with Los Tujlios.