Brunch with the most talented couples

One of those super-mega cute couples out there is the one Alin Dobrikan and Elena Ionescu make. They are two of my dearest friends, usually called The Dobrikans, and I liked them instantly, the first time I met them. He is a Dj, the kind of Dj who makes you dance all night long. She has magical fingers: she paints amazing T-shirts which only those who have a strong personality will wear. I want to introduce them to you:

I worked with Alin, we used to be a team and, after the project ended, we remained close friends. When we meet we always end up talking about our future plans, goals, spirituality, music and they always get interrupted by loud laughter. After we enjoyed our donuts and café lattes, we talked:

1. Alin, what do you do at the moment, professionally speaking?
These days I work both as a Dj and as music production specialist. As a Dj, I always try to do my best and, as a music producer, I am studying hard.
2. What do you feel when you are in front of the mixer?
Enthusiasm. I am always nervous, at times even anxious before the show. However, during the show I try to feel the vibe as well as possible so as to offer the party people what they expect. I am well aware of the fact that a Dj, while mixing, is the emotional leader of the crowd, which is why I, myself, try to make things sound as positive, energetic and dreamy as possible… I try to make my music tell a particular story during each event.

3. Which choice was the hardest to make?
Recently, while contacting labels to negotiate 2 eps, I received a reply from one of the labels I appreciate a lot (whose name I’d rather not mention) which said they wanted to sign one of the eps. However, the deal was that I would have had to sign with one of their lower labels which they would not advertise accordingly. It took me a while to decide. I passed, in the end.
4. How would you describe the music market nowadays?
At the moment, I believe we are experiencing some sort of a crisis. There are a lot of pubs/clubs closed or unauthorized, which is putting a lot of pressure on the music market and the artists, irrespective of their specialty. The event organizing agencies have less and less options in what the locations are concerned. However, things seem to get better these days…

5. Are music and spirituality related?
Music and spirituality are best friends, actually. Essentially, they share the same roots, they are both a sort of energy… a vibration. A good song will first touch you spiritually and then emotionally, the latter being able to even change your mood on the spur of the moment.

6. Have you ever fallen in love during one particular song? If yes, which one was it?
There are quite a few, but the most recent one is Royksopp – Sordid Affair (Maceo Plex Mix).

7. Tell me what’s more important in an artist – being a professional or having a cool attitude?
Both. I believe in balancing everything in your life. Thereof, if you’re a good artist and an annoying person, or an arrogant one, or a shy one, you will most likely fail at developing a lasting career in the field.

8. What should we invest most in?
I don’t believe there is a general recipe, one to apply to each and every one out there. I guess people focus on what’s most important in their lives, on what is compatible with their values. For me, the most important value is my career and most of my efforts are focused on that.

9. Do you see yourself doing this your whole life?
Yes. I wish to grow old doing what I do now. I wish to stay with my grandchildren and tell them what music was like on vinyl.

10. What’s on your ideals list?
I hope I will be as great as possible in this DJ universe. I hope I’ll have gigs all around the world and songs recorded at those labels I appreciate. My favorite star is Sven Vath, who makes me be even more determined to reach a point in my career in which I will be able to collaborate with him and his booking agency (Cocoon) on a project. I know, these are great dreams, yet not impossible. Let’s just let time, perseverance and opportunity decide.

I move to Elena, she is the kind of girl that is enchanting, well-mannered, funny and bright. She makes you fall for her at once, usually, after my friends meet her, they say she is one of those beautiful people. She is good at management, at being a girlfriend (sometimes I just stay there, admiring her femininity), at T-Shirts and is a never ending source of cool energy.

1. Of all the things we talked about today, which is the one you do every day?
I spend most of my time taking care of my little business, one which concerns permanent hair removal, which came from my passion for entrepreneurship. I like offering 100% of my passion and I do it dearly. At night, when the telephone stops ringing, I love painting and eating. I am kind of greedy.

2. Could you tell me what are your passions?
I associate passion with the thing which makes me most happy! I wish I could open a workshop. At the moment, I paint t-shirts. It relaxes me and I try to develop this project, step by step.

3. I know you painted t-shirts for numerous artists, among which there are Luciano Optick, Internullo, Pagal, Negru, Livia Andrei, etc. What do you feel when you see your product worn by other people?
Proud! It is my great pleasure to see people appreciate my work. I make them dearly! When I started making t-shirts, I said everyone must have at least one Triunghiul t-shirt! I like making it reflect the personality of the one wearing it.

4. Is there a magical place where you feel best? Or a moment?
A magical place… difficult to say… but I have lots and lots of magical moments which make me emanate pure happiness all around me.

5. What is it like to be the girlfriend of an artist?
Beautiful an exactly as I wished it to be! Artists are usually hard to get, but that does not mean it’s also impossible. We all are little bohemian artists, deep inside.

6. Do you think there is a secret ingredient in the couple?
There are as many as 3. Sincerity, trust and respect. And if you have the ability to reinvent yourself again and again and, thereof, not to let routine step in, then it’s perfect. However, the special ingredient is sexual attraction and being a good match.

7. Tell me which the most difficult moment in your career was.
It’s much to say it was difficult. But there are moments when problems come one after another and I think I cannot solve them, no matter what I do. Usually, there are problems related to the appliances, the software, which do not depend on me.

8. Which human defect do you hate most?
If someone is not reliable, dependable, then I do not pay attention to him/her. I don’t like consuming my energy with people who do not respect me.

9. Tell me the thing you could never get over.
Respect is very important for me. I could never get over something or someone who would temper with it.

10. Which is your source of motivation? What helps you recharge your batteries?
My source of motivation is knowing I wake up in the morning to work for myself, for my business. Knowing everything works and everything is put to order. I like going nice places, ride my bicycle, read and make people happy. And I also relax while going out shopping and finding nice places. These are the things which give me energy.