Sotirios Kole / Ralf Jay
Can you introduce yourself to our audience? My name is Ralf Jay, and I’m an Albanian-Greek DJ and music producer based in Athens. I’ve been active in the electronic music scene since 2009, growing up behind the decks and gradually shaping my sound through years of club culture and real dance floor experience. My style moves between Afro House, Melodic House & Techno, and Tech House, always focused on groove, emotion, and energy. I draw inspiration from different scenes and cultures, blending organic elements with modern electronic production. Over the years, I’ve performed in more than 150 venues across Greece and abroad, including clubs, beach venues, hotel residencies, private villas, and international events. Those experiences shaped not just my sound, but my approach as an artist—reading the crowd, building journeys, and creating moments rather than just playing tracks. For me, electronic music is about connection: between rhythm and emotion, and between the DJ and the people on the floor.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music? What inspired me was my aunt, who is a soprano singer. From a very young age, she introduced me to music and taught me solfège and piano, which gave me a strong musical foundation. Electronic music pulled me in because of its freedom and energy. I was fascinated by how rhythm, texture, and emotion could move a room without needing words. Early on, club culture and the feeling of controlling the atmosphere from behind the decks really hooked me. Over time, exploring different electronic styles helped me shape my own sound and pushed me to pursue music as a lifelong path.
How would you describe your style and sound? I’d describe my sound as groove-driven and emotional, rooted in Afro House, Melodic House & Techno, and Tech House. What sets me apart is my musical foundation and my focus on storytelling—building sets and productions that evolve naturally, with organic elements, strong rhythms, and a clear connection to the dance floor rather than following trends.
Tell us about your latest release, “Away.” Away is an atmospheric track rather than a peak-time club record. The main inspiration came from Mykonos sunsets. While watching the sun go down, I started hearing the vocals that ended up in Away, and from that moment everything else followed naturally. The track came together almost on its own, shaped by that peaceful, emotional moment and the feeling of being present and slightly… away. I want listeners to feel calm and present. While listening to the track during a sunset, I want people to feel drawn toward that point where the sea meets the sun—a unique moment where colors explode across the horizon and time feels suspended.
Can you walk us through the creative process? The idea was born in Mykonos. I started working on it there, but during the summer the pace is intense and time is limited. I later returned to it in winter, when things slow down and I have more space to focus. That period of complete quiet helped me finish the track with clarity and intention. Keeping the images and emotions of Mykonos in my mind, I completed the project with the idea of bringing it back to the island and playing it the following summer.
How does this release differ from your previous work? With this release, I wasn’t focused on whether the track would work as a peak-time record. The goal was simply to express a part of myself. Away is about honesty and emotion rather than function—capturing a personal moment and turning it into sound.
What role do events, collaborations, or labels play in shaping your career? Events, collaborations, and labels play a key role in shaping my career. My collaboration with Cafe De Anatolia feels like a real step forward for me—a moment where I moved to a higher level artistically. It gave my music the right platform and confirmed that I’m evolving in the direction I want to go.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists? My advice is to be yourself above everything else. Don’t change your character depending on the environment you’re in. When you stay true to who you are, you understand your strengths better, and that allows real growth. Constant work is essential; if you keep trying and giving the best version of yourself, success will come. It’s only a matter of time.
What can your fans expect next? After my performances in the French Alps, a full season in Mykonos is coming up—my tenth season on the island. In 2026, I’m planning to release around five to six new tracks, with four of them already finished. There’s a lot on the way, and everything connects back to movement and honest expression.
Release: Ralf Jay & Cafe De Anatolia – Away (released via Cafe De Anatolia Rec.) 11.12.2025