Happa

Name, where are you from?
Heya, my name is Samir Alikhanizadeh and I’m from the wonderful Leeds but currently living in busy London town!

Describe your style in three words?
Wannabe Hi-tech Hiker!

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Ooo that’s very hard to choose mainly because I can’t remember haha, so I’m gonna go with the first one that popped into my head which was a Perc Trax night at Corsica about 4 years ago. Giant Swan live and Helena Hauff were probably the highlights for this 10+ hour night of pummeling techno and silly fun with me mates. 

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
I would probably say Basic Channel/Rhythm & Sound because they're dance music Gods... and on the opposite end of the spectrum, I’d choose Caroline Polachek because she’s a Pop Pirate Queen!

Which subcultures have influenced you?
An obvious one is the Rave scene. From the sonic and melodic element of the music itself to the rebellious, f*#k you attitude! Although I don’t actually have a very f*#k you attitude lol. I generally love looking back throughout all of dance music history, to be honest! Also deep down (as well as a hiker) I wanna be a sk8r boi.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Maybe with one of my Iranian ancestors from a thousand years ago. Their life would be so completely different to mine but they still might actually wanna chill because I can be like “Hey we’re related!”

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Griessmuehle in Berlin was one fo the first that popped into my head. It’s a physically wicked space but also maintains a lovely, loose energy! But to be honest, one of the most special places for me to play is Wire in Leeds, as it’s the club I used to go to the most with my mates back home and I have so many fond, sweaty memories there.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Well, an album I’ve had on rotation a lot for the second half of this year - Aura Type Orange by Brother May - has a surprisingly low view-count considering it’s bloody amazing! Lyrically very refreshing and backed with amazing prod by Mica Levi/Coby Sey. What’s not to love!?