DJ: Ilmars Slapins

NABA

I have a degree in philosophy, but worked as a DJ since I was sixteen. For 15 years I am writing for a monthly magazine Rigas Laiks (www.rigaslaiks.lv), done many interviews with great musicians (Arvo Part, Steve Reich, Dino Saluzzi, Jean Michel Jarre and others), I have a regular column in the magazine to review new CDs ("Rigas Laiks listens") and supporting radio program (monthly in Radio Klasika , Latvian Radio 3). Since 2002 I have a weekly show in a non-commercial radio NABA (www.radionaba.lv, 93.1 FM), which is a collaboration between Latvijas Radio (actually it is the fifth channel of the Latvian public broadcaster and EBU member) and Latvian University, which supports the equipment and content. My program was called "The green flag" and was devoted to the music of Islam, Arab and Indian world music as well as fusion artists like Rabih Abou Khalil, Anuar Brahem or Natacha Atlas. Since last year I started a new broader concept and my program is called "The found sounds" (weekly at Wednesdays, 21:00) - mixing different found sounds with spoken word and world music. In 2003 I received awards from national broadcasting authority (NRTP) - as the best radio DJ and the best radio program.