#MusicInTheAir Podcast hosts this week :
ALBER ENSSO

The artist protagonist of this week’s MusicInTheAir is Albert Kurshudyan, known as Alber Ensso, an Armenian music producer and DJ. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, he lived here his whole life, until he arrived in Dubai a year ago.

Alber Ensso started his career in the capital city of Armenia, Yerevan, back in 2016. However, he started his musical journey when he was 15 years old. “I’m already in this workspace around 8 years,” he says. – When I was 15 years old for the first time in Lebanon, I saw many great Artists and fell in love with this musical culture. And when I came back to Armenia I started learning each and everything possible for understanding this art”.

The musical genres that have influenced and still influence him the most are Organic House, Progressive House, Melodic house and Techno. His musical style today is Organic House, Afro house and in fact he tried many other genres too, until he found his style. He says: “From the past there are many differences from now as I evolved into my natural style and found my own wave. I came from Armenia where I lived 21 years and it did influence on my style, because it does bring a new sense into the music for example popular music instruments in Armenia like Duduk or Qanon, etc.”. Outside of his job, he listens to everything, starting from Rap and ending with Jazz. But above all, being a DJ, he prefers to listen to electronic music”.

Currently Alber performs at different events and festivals throughout the world, and during his career years he played in Yerevan, Moscow, Tbilisi, Lebanon and Dubai, and shared the stage with many international artists, such as Boris Brejcha, Space Motion, Miss Monique, Alex Niggeman, Tebra, Zuma Dionys, Robert Babicz.

Speaking of releases and labels, he has been working with Vaga Records and Fantastique Sound.

The most recent track he released was a month ago and its name is “Cyberpunk”. He has many upcoming releases in collaboration with Vaga records and Cafe De Anatolia.

Right now, he is producing and managing his label ‘VagaRec’. The new projects will be coming in 2023, with the participation to many big events and festivals. He says: “My musical plans for the near future are to have many releases, albums, sets and to introduce my music to the world”.

In 2021 Alber made a decision to move to Dubai. He is resident DJ at one of the most popular bars of Dubai, Vaga Dubai. He tells: “My and Vaga Dubai’s collaboration started early 2022. We have two projects a Restaurant and a Nonsense Bar. Vaga Restaurant is Armenian/Arabic restaurant in Dubai’s heart, Bluewaters. Nonsense Bar is a Speakeasy concept from past to future. In the restaurant the music style is DownTempo with Armenian and Arabic instruments, while in Nonsense Bar it’s Organic House, Afro House and Melodic Techno”.

But not only: he is also the co-founder of Vaga Music Label, of which he says: “About a month ago we released our first album “The Legend” which is Organic House/DownTempo, in which there are many talented artists, like Zuma Dionis, Socko, Alex Twin, etc. The mission of Vaga Music is to have the best artists with tracks that will take them to another world, world of VAGABond.”

Your artists / DJs / producers of reference?

Socko, Darko De Jan, Zuma Dionis, Ephlum, Space Motion, Donz, Sarkis Mikael,etc.

What were your most recent projects and what projects are you part of?

“Cyberpunk”, Special Set for Formula 1, Deep House LA.

How was your summer and autumn? Do you have dj sets or festivals planned at the moment for the present and the future?

The summer was productive, with full of events, but it will not surpass my Autumn which had many great events which I’m happy to be part of, for example Formula 1, Vaga Label nights, upcoming Kaynouna Festival in Dubai.

What do you think of the current music scene of the country where you live? What do you think are the differences with Europe and the rest of the world?

The current music scene in Dubai is more developed than before, nowadays you can hear Electronic Music in many places. The difference is not a lot between Europe and Dubai I would say, as in both places are happening huge events and festivals.

What evolution do you think electronic music is experiencing on the international scene?

In the last few years Electronic Music has become universal and loved.

What can you tell us musically about your Podcast for Villahangar?

I chose Afro House for Villahangar, and I’m very happy with this collaboration and I’m thankful to have this wonderful opportunity with Villahangar Records.