Jerm
DJ | Producer | Promoter
‘Are there any clubs where I can enjoy some heavy dark/industrial techno with an underground vibe?’ Looking online for techno in Athens before the pandemic would have led you to discover some interesting threads on Reddit, with plenty of questions like the one above from user u/GWRGKH wondering where to find banging techno in the historic city.
Greek producer and DJ Jerm is a reliable person to ask about techno in Athens. Slam described him as ‘a key player of the Greek techno scene’ and judging by his curation of CoMA events (for which he is a co-founder and resident DJ), Yiannis aka Jerm knows a few things about techno, considering his presence on the Greek circuit as a raver since the late 90's and later on, as a promoter.
Having learnt his craft via residencies at Temple Athens, Six D.O.G.S and Astron Bar, and added international bookings in Tresor and Rote Sonne to his agenda over the years, Jerm has met multiple producers, promoters and DJs who have been involved in Jerm’s trajectory along the way. Heading up the Analogue record label, Jerm uses the imprint to release his own music and tracks by artists he supports, counting Sunil Sharpe, Endlec, KWARTZ and more. As a producer, his sound leans towards harder side of 909 spectrum, and releases on Soma, Blue Hour and HEX reflect the same thundering aesthetic Jerm channels from the DJ booth.
As the clubs remain shut in Ἀθήνα, Jerm shares a memory from a pre-pandemic CoMA party and the crazy story behind it. He also gives an insight into current life in Athens, how he is managing to get through this stagnant time, and more…
Photo: Alexander Petsavas
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it? What was the music vibe at the time?
I chose this one ‘cause it was such a powerful moment (and night overall) for me, regarding emotions, energy and fulfilment.
Besides DJing and producing, I’m also promoter at the CoMA and Analogue events here in Athens. The CoMA nights are off-club, bigger scale events with the whole production in our hands, and this photo was taken while I was playing at the very first one.
The story behind it that makes it even more special, is that two days before the event, I Hate Models, who was one of the two guests along with Dax J, suffered a very serious ear infection that made it impossible for him to travel to Greece. So, as you understand with a very good pre-sale already taken place, we had in such short notice to fill in the slot with an artist that would also tear up the place. Stress was off the roof, mails and phones were on fire and after a very, very quick arrangement, one of our top two favourite artists and one of the best out there, Blawan, was confirmed. The place was packed, the vibe and all the sets were unreal, and was (and still is) with no exaggeration, one of the best techno nights in Athens in years.
It reminded me of wild big room events from the 2000-2004-era! Everyone that came, the guests and ourselves, are still daydreaming it.
How have you been over the last few months and what is life currently like in Athens?
I have to be honest. It’s difficult. The main word that describes my state since last March, is patience. We are going through very weird, dark and challenging times here in Athens ‘cause of the pandemic situation. Huge changes socially and economically (to the worst) are taking place, police brutality is currently on the highest level, people are divided regarding politics and mental exhaustion from all these and the lockdowns are getting bigger day by day. I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but we have a long way ahead of us ‘til things start to ease up. We have to be strong mentally and physically to survive this.
For those who don't know about the techno scene here in Athens, is there a solid audience for this particular genre? Where did techno parties take place before Covid?
Yes, I believe there is. Not for a great amount of techno events on the same day, but the audience is getting bigger year by year.
Regarding techno parties, for me, Temple Athens and Astron Bar are the paces to be. Temple Athens is our base for the Analogue club nights. Dark and nasty as it should be, with heavy sound and quite flexible time-wise, exactly what you need for a proper techno night. Astron Bar is a small, black, dark place too, which is actually a legendary spot since late 90s for electronic music and especially techno. I am resident at both places and I enjoy to-the-max playing there. Can’t wait to get behind their decks again. So, for someone visiting Athens, these two are a must as their whole season programme is always very good.
For the CoMA events, we try to find proper gig spaces in the centre of Athens that will fit our style and requirements. So, we usually change the place every now and then.
What about the Greek islands, is there a techno scene of any kind in these locations?
I can’t say there is an organised techno scene in the Greek islands, no. Some techno events take place in Cavo Paradiso (Mykonos) but with mainstream artists, not our style. 20 years ago the season line-up was pretty good though, but nowadays EDM has invaded the island for good.
In terms of your own career as a DJ and producer, what have you been working on since most of the clubs shut in March?
Since March there is actually no DJing. Besides a few exceptions during summertime here in Athens. I think this will be the case until next mid-summer (best case scenario) or next October or November. I miss it like hell!
Production wise, 2020 was very good with releases on Soma, Analogue, Blue Hour, Hex and Diffuse Reality. Next one is on an amazing V/A sometime during the first quarter of 2021 and currently working on new stuff, preparing my next EP. Quite slow though as I struggle a bit with motivation and studio energy this period.
As a promoter and artist, how do you feel about the future at the moment?
As a promoter, I really can’t tell. I’m currently on the reschedule process on all my dates, personal and the projects. No one knows how the pandemic situation will evolve, what we will be allowed to do, the capacity limits and if we will get back to the old normal or we will have to accept and adopt to a ‘new normal’. We’ll have to wait and see.
As an artist, I think I will have to stick to my plans despite the uncertainty of things and this one year pause, and hopefully good things will start happening.
What has been a source of calm for you throughout 2020 so far?
If you take into consideration that almost the whole year we are under the pandemic situation and there were actually no events, which is what makes me 100% happy, my main source of calm and happiness are my close friends and music. These two things are the most basic elements for me this period.
Listen to Jerm’s Slam mix here and follow him below: