Meet Dk.tsk, a multi-faceted creative musical collective and label by Hranush Arakelyan and Hovsep Aghjian dedicated to uncovering local talents, helping them to express and be discovered locally and internationally. Dk.tsk is one of the projects that took part in the Artbox Incubator program, receiving Artbox seed funding upon successfully completing the program and presenting a compelling business plan package. Read on to learn about Dk.tsk’s background and the plans and the vision that the team has for the project.


 

What was the inspiration behind Dk.Tsk?

DK.TSK has its presence in Armenia as an electronic music collective since 2019,
on a mission to bridge the gaps that truly matter in the electronic music scene.

Our collective, including a school, label, festival, studio, and podcasts, all designed to deliver a new perspective and initiate meaningful interactions within our community.
At the core, we ask ourselves, “What do artists and audiences truly need? How can we present electronic music as an art and deliver it to the world in a non-commercial, self-expressive manner?”

These questions fuel our passion to make electronic music accessible, unveiling its non-commercial essence and boundless creative approaches. It inspired us to establish the School of Music Production in 2019, empowering individuals with tools like Ableton Live, digital and analog synths, and the ability to craft live performances.

What’s the state of electronic music in Armenia and what opportunities do you see in this field?

While numerous Armenian DJs are gaining international recognition, live music production, 
Which involves composing musical pieces as well as live performances, is still in the nascent phases of its development.

As a specialized collective focused on this particular domain, our vision is to provide a significant boost to music production in Armenia from an artistic perspective. We aspire to create an environment where music enthusiasts and DJs can readily explore the art of composing their own tracks ,live performances and have more freedom for individual artistic expression.

 

Recently you had an event featuring different artists, musicians, and international guests. Could you tell us a bit about the event?

We undertook an alternative concept by organizing a curated club night in collaboration with The Office, a local club and co-working space. Our aim was to create a vibrant fusion of live music, DJ performances, and audiovisual exhibition.

It was exciting to host special guests Albert van Abbe from the Netherlands, a visionary force in the electronic music realm, renowned for his impressive audiovisual art installations and live sets, and EZY from Copenhagen, a prominent figure and electrifying energy in the realm of trance techno and underground raves. The evening started with Albert’s audiovisual exhibition in The Office’s Wintergarden, followed by an intimate Q&A session with a select group of artists, discussing the depths of creative expression and the journey of an artist in the commercial and non commercial environments.

As the night unfolded, we seamlessly transitioned into electrifying live performances and DJ sets with two stages that carried on until the morning. It provided us with valuable knowledge and experience within organizing and curating. We are grateful for this experience and looking for new opportunities to initiate events for artistic exploration and creative collaborations.

What plans do you have for the future?

After completing the acoustic treatment of our studio space, our next endeavor will involve launching a series of video podcasts that showcase live music jams and the intricate process of crafting sounds.

This music podcast will be the first of its kind in Armenia, focusing specifically on live sets. Previously, we had a series dedicated solely to DJs. The purpose of this series is to inspire and motivate our audience to delve into music production, offering insights into composing and performing. Following the podcast series, we have plans to conduct workshops that cover various topics, including composing original tracks, designing custom sounds for live sets, and preparing performances.
Through these initiatives, we aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to create their own music and elevate their live performances.
 

What were your main takeaways from the Artbox Incubator program and what would you advise up and coming creative entrepreneurs?

The Artbox program provided us with a solid foundation to strategically plan the necessary steps for making a significant impact on the live electronic music scene in Armenia. It also opened up numerous perspectives on effective business management and budgeting approaches.

While many aspects of our journey are still taking shape and our timelines and checkpoints may adjust, our core vision and mission, developed during the program, remain steadfast and continue to guide us in the right direction. We  highly encourage all creative entrepreneurs to stay true to their vision and mission, keeping them at the forefront of their minds, as everything else can be shaped around this central focus point.