About Takis
SHIFTER’s Artist of the Month for April is DJ, producer and songwriter Takis. The Winnipeg native has performed on some of the most prestigious stages in dance music including EDC Mexico, Beyond Wonderland Monterrey, ISY Festival China, Ever After Music Festival Ontario, Marquee Las Vegas Nightclub, Marquee Dayclub, TAO Las Vegas, LAVO Las Vegas, Rehab Beach-club Las Vegas, LAVO New York, New Gas City Montreal, Stereo Live Houston, Time Nightclub OC and many more. Takis solo debut Wait for Me landed on Spotify’s Viral Daily & Weekly Chart in Netherlands (#35) and on Apple Music Dance Charts in 68 countries. His latest release “All Time” featuring 4x Juno award nominee Jamie Fine and LA based artist Brandyn Burnette is currently the #32 song at Top 40 radio in Canada during the week of 3/22/21.
Get to know SHIFTER’s Artist of the Month for April, Takis.
Artist Name: Takis
City/Country: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Social media/links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petertakis
Twitter: https://twitter.com/petertakis
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2UP3E5PuFYs6mRpeuXJUq4?si=wg13AS2vSsqDfpjdpnmNdA
Art form/creative discipline: DJ, producer, and songwriter
What has been your biggest creative/professional accomplishment so far?
I have a few that come to mind, most recently would have to be my new song “All Time.” It’s been played on radio stations in 25 countries. That even felt strange to type out! This is the first time I’ve made a song that seems to “matter” in countries around the world. I’m both proud and slightly confused at the same time. The second would have to be the biggest live show of my career. I had the honor of performing on the main stage at EDC Mexico a few years ago and that was the first and only time I paused and got emotional while performing. It’s embarrassing to admit but real tears hit me halfway through. I guess I never thought in a million years that I would touch a stage like that and I’ll never forget that one-hour set. Finally, on the business side, I’m really proud of the team I’ve built around me. My managers, fellow collaborators, and my creative team are legitimately my best friends. We can get through anything together and I’m starting to realize how rare it is to trust your team like this.
Who are your biggest creative inspirations?
I grew up on early mixtape Kid Cudi, J. Cole, and of course Kanye West. Eventually, 808s & Heartbreak was the first album to blow my mind, then when Kanye dropped MBDTF I was in heaven. As I matured and fell in love with electronic music I became obsessed with Rüfüs Du Sol, The Blaze, and Odesza. In terms of pop dance, I find Lost Frequencies, Loud Luxury and The Chainsmokers brilliant songwriters and inspiring pop artists.
Doing exactly what I’m doing today with the people I’m doing it with. Believe it or not. Making great songs is my first, second and third priority in life. Money hasn’t been a serious motivator in my life for some time now.
In 5 years I will be…
Hopefully, I’ll grow and improve as an artist and the listeners will decide where that takes me. It’s exciting to look ahead and I have some big goals but I’m usually just focused on one day or week at a time.
Something everyone should know about me is…
I’m an introvert and a pretty private person. Wrong career path, right? (laughing) The only time I truly feel comfortable opening up and being honest about my childhood experiences is when I’m writing songs. I kind of suck at interviews and get anxious sharing my life on social media. Thankfully, in the studio I feel at home.
If I could give one piece advice to my fellow creators it would be…
Be honest with yourself. Is this path something you don’t just want but need? I mean, I 10% want to be a musician but I 90% need to be a musician for my mental health and to feel like I’m living a meaningful and honest life. This path can be so challenging that wanting to create cool stuff probably isn’t enough, you have to be the type of person who needs to create these things.
Recent and upcoming projects:
My new single “All Time” feat. Jamie Fine and Brandyn Burnette is out now. I’m so proud of this song! And this summer my debut album Welcome Home will finally drop, where I share the first “chapter” of my story.
Click here to apply to be SHIFTER’s Artist of the Month.
Related article:
ARTIST OF THE MONTH // MARCH 2021 – TORONTO MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, DESARAE DEE