You are all regulars on EC, how is it special to play in the walls of the castle compared to other venues?
- Alex Chronic: It was the first edition of Electric Castle and I remember it like it was yesterday. It was daylight and festival goers haven’t arrived yet, so I had a few hours to spare. I wondered alone inside the castle and it was amazing, the size and weight of the walls was overwhelming. The castle is special in its own way and playing there is like nothing else you’ve experienced. It’s not only the castle, it’s the people, the way this festival is managed and organized, when all these things come together there’s a special vibe in the air you can’t get somewhere else.
- Dudawles: It’s just a special vibe, really hard to explain in words. The energy that people have at this festival is unique and therefore the performer has a unique experience as well.
- Madliquid: This feeling is definitely unique, playing in a baroque castle, enjoying the amazing vibe that comes from the people.

Since in most part of Romania 4/4 dominates, what is bass music / drum and bass / break scene is like in Cluj? Which genres dominate? How has it changed over the years? 
 - Alex Chronic: I can honestly say now that things have evolved. When I first arrived in Cluj the electronic music scene was all about breaks and drum and bass, events were about this. Nowadays it’s a mix of everything, you can go to an event and hear house, bass, breaks and d’n’b in the same night. It’s good that it’s diverse and it gives people the chance to come together and that’s what matters! 
- Dudawles: I think we really need to thank the promoters in Romania for having the courage to promote these music genres in the last few years, because that often meant having a 50%, or maybe 30% club capacity because people did not know what to expect. Nowadays the reaction to good names in breaks and especially drum & bass is really good and probably one of the most popular music genres at EC is drum and bass.
- Madliquid: I think drum&bass is still a big and forever evolving genre in Romania, the public is very eager to listen to new artists and embrace properly each wave of new producers.

In our last year’s interview with the Ruffinaments, the guys pointed out the festival’s impact on the local community. How do you see that? 
- Alex Chronic: What the EC team accomplished in the last 4 years is big! It put Cluj-Napoca and Bontida on the map of a very short list of Romanian locations to visit in the summer. You can see the effects and impact of this when EC is near, in the city, on your social network and so on. I still read every year after the festival has ended how people from Bontida are so happy to have us there and how much they strive to do even better next year (roads, accommodation etc). It’s starting to be a tradition!  
- Dudawles: It is significant for sure, because EC does things differently. From the way it looks, to the feeling itself, it really invites you to be part of it. People from all over the country, but also a significant amount of foreigners come to the festival, and that definitely has an impact on the local community.
- Madliquid: Yes, the festival had a big impact on the local community because people felt that their cultural needs were taken care of and they expect growth every year. A lot of people were influenced by Electric Castle in order to have a different approach towards the idea of having fun.

The festival spends a portion of the income on the renovation of the Castle. What is attitude towards social responsibility? Would you play for less money if you know that the organizers spend money on projects like this? 
- Alex Chronic: Definitely! I think this is a big part of growing as a festival, as an idea and as people. We, as a collectivecountry (and I don’t mean the EC team, they are perfect) are not quite there yet, there’s a lot we need to learn on this subject, we need guidance, but we are trying and have not gave up just yet! As the EC slogan goes: ‘History is the soul of a nation and it must be protected!’
- Dudawles: I don’t really believe that artists should make compromises like these. Ok, fine, I support the cause, I think it’s great, and maybe if a festival wouldn’t sell tickets or sell them at a very symbolic price to donate, I would give it a thought, but this is a small part of Electric Castle, it’s one of their statements. I think if you book an artist for his performance and sell tickets for that, you should be able to pay him the right fee.
- Madliquid: I think that Banffy Castle is a special and unique venue for a music festival and I am somewhat proud that throughout the efforts of the artists, the crew managed to spend some money on renovation.

What are the three artists you would recommend from this year’s line up?
- Alex Chronic: Lately I’ve been playing a more colored sound than past years and I like it! 
Here’s my 3 picks from this year’s lineup: Skrillex, Slow Magic, Icicle
- Dudawles: De Staat, Marky and Dudawles of course.
- Madliquid: I think you should definitely hear Sigur Ros playing, Enter Shikari are up for a big show and Skrillex will bring down the house. Of course, please check the drum&bass movement represented by Camo&Krooked, Marky, Loadstar and many more..

In Argentina the government banned all big music events, such as festivals, after some people took some bad pills and died. What’s your take on this? Is it going to prevent people from taking drugs?
- Alex Chronic: No way! When did banning stuff ever worked? Festivals are an opportunity for people to come together and have fun, for many it’s the only way they get to see a favorite band or DJ they like. My honest opinion on this it’s that the drug issue should be treated differently. Most of us don’t even know what the risks are when poppin’ a pill. It’s up to us to be more responsible, at least with our group of friends, media outlets should have more orientated shows about what are the risks and what can happen. It’s a sensitive matter, I agree but banning festivals will only frustrate people. 
- Dudawles: I think it’s gonna make things worse actually. Rather than trying to improve security measures, you just take extreme decisions. They will just go to other countries and behave in the same way.
- Madliquid: Uhm, this is a delicate situation and I do not know the exact political or social situation in Argentina. I don’t think that bad drugs are related to music festivals, it’s just a place where some people see an up and coming market and want to exploit it.

Do you follow the Euro 2016? If yes, where do you expect your supported team?
- Alex Chronic: Ooo, that’s weird! While writing this, Hungary just won 2-0 with Austria so congrats are in place! My girlfriend’s dad just called (Hungarian) and told me like 3 times that Hungary won. We can’t say the same about our team. Everybody had high hopes I guess, and it’s the first competition we qualify in years. I’m cheering for the boys and I do hope we win tomorrow against Switzerland otherwise we can call it a day and I can call my father in law.
- Dudawles: I actually do follow the Euro and have predicted France as a championship winner. I think Romania will pass the group stage but probably lose in the first elimination stage.
- Madliquid: Yes, I follow Euro 2016, this interview is written after the day that the national team lost the qualifications. To put it simple, I don’t think football is our strong game at the moment, to be honest.

If you would like to go to the festival click on our Critcal Mass article for the competition.
 

For the Hungarian version, please click here.

Prevoius Electric Castle articles in English

Critical mass - review of previous years and overview of 2016

Only good vibes this year, festival preview and interview with Andy Vancza for 2015

Ruff in the garage business, Ruffinaments interview

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