feeder jukebox #30 selected by Substak

Based in Athens, Kostas Staikos aka Substak started mixing and producing electronic music in 2011, not out of a quest for fame, but as a means “to escape from everyday life”. Throughout time, he explored genres like ambient, drone, dub, minimal and techno, transcending conventional boundaries and focusing on the pure language of sound. His introspective music invites listeners into a space where rhythms and mood gently collide into pulsations that delve into the balance between escapism and confrontation, guiding anyone deep into the hidden folds of emotions, memory and time.

Over time, Substak has released numerous EPs, LPs and podcasts, each having its own identity and atmosphere. Among the labels and netlabels he collaborated with, we find Soundsphere, Pertin-nce, Dublucid, Tronik Records, Sinapsis Recs, Daydreamers, Crossfade Sounds, Minikron, Techenie, Nomadism, Secret Domain, Seesaw, HDR Limit, Polysphere, Kopoc Netlabel, Ecoul SND, Piranha Siberia, Interplanetare Lab, Melotonin and Hello Strange, to name only a few.

“For me, ambient music is less about a destination and more about the journey. It’s the space between notes where the real story unfolds, inviting the listener to create their own narrative. In a world that’s often loud and chaotic, it offers a quiet place. It’s a reminder that beauty can be found in stillness, and that sometimes, the most profound experiences are the most subtle.” – Substak

feeder jukebox #30 selected by Substak unfolds as an immersive and organic drift through ambient and downtempo music, with each track flowing into the next like tides weaving their silent patterns across an endless sea, whispering to distant shorelines. The selection starts with a signature piece before weaving in tracks from artists like Y Space, In Vitro, Cousin Silas, Lab’s Cloud and DeepNorth.

feeder.ro: Hello, Kostas! It’s great to have you as part of our jukebox series. Could you share how you first got involved with ambient/drone music and what motivated you to explore this style?

Substak: Hello and thank you for inviting me. It’s a real pleasure to be part of feeder’s jukebox series. My journey into ambient and drone was a gradual one, starting with exploring the experimental side of electronic music. What motivates me most about working with those genres is the ability to communicate a feeling or a mood without relying on a traditional melody or beat. It’s a very pure form of expression and I find a lot of freedom in that.

f: What instruments and software do you use and how do you choose the right ones for your work? Do you have any personal favourites?

Substak: I work in Ableton Live, which I find incredibly flexible for sound design. I’m not a fan of VSTs or plugins. I usually work with filters, delay and frequency shifters.

f: You’ve been very active lately, with several acclaimed releases on international labels and netlabels. How do you view the electronic music movement – especially the ambient scene – and how do you connect with it?

Substak: I think the electronic music movement, especially the ambient scene, is in a very exciting and vibrant place right now. The internet and the rise of netlabels have made it possible for artists all over the world to connect and share their work. This has created a truly global and diverse community. I connect with it by constantly listening to new music from other artists, especially on platforms like Bandcamp and by being active in online communities.

I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible labels and each collaboration has been a way for me to become a more integrated part of this global network.

I see my work as a conversation within this community, adding my voice to the ongoing exploration of sound and texture that so many others are also a part of.

f: Do you believe that certain frequencies can influence the human mind, body and soul? How do you incorporate this idea into your music?

Substak: Absolutely. I firmly believe that sound is a powerful tool for influencing our mental and emotional states. It’s a central idea in my music. I don’t approach it from a purely scientific standpoint, but rather from an intuitive and creative one. For example, I often use sustained low-frequency drones to create a sense of physical presence and grounding, a feeling that resonates deep in the body. Conversely, I might use higher-frequency textures and subtle shifts in pitch to evoke a sense of spaciousness or even a bit of tension.

I’m always thinking about the emotional and psychological journey I want to take the listener on.

My goal isn’t just to make music that sounds good, but to create an immersive experience that can help someone find a moment of calm, contemplation, or introspection. The frequencies and the textures are the building blocks of that experience.

f: What are your plans for the future?

Substak: I’m always working on new music, and I have a few projects and collaborations that I’m really excited about. The dream is to continue to evolve as an artist and to keep pushing the boundaries of my own sound. For now, the focus is on creating new sounds and sharing them with the world.

Tracklist:

1. Substak – Wander
2. Y Space – Mirage
3. Krystian Shek feat. Peter Coy – When The Rain Has Fallen
4. In Vitro – La invencion de los tiempos
5. Giovanni Dorio – Transumanza
6. Cousin Silas – Song of Summer
7. Natural Life Essence – Orbus Train
8. Lab’s Cloud – Drifting Iceberg
9. Sanjib – Microalgae
10. DeepNorth – Eta Cancri

Substak on soundcloud / facebook / instagram / bandcamp
feeder sound on soundcloud / youtube / feeder.ro

Words by AndreiB

About feeder sound

feeder sound is a showcase of local and international talent alike, comprised of DJ sets and fresh tunes meticulously curated in a sound collection that promotes mutual recognition and cultural exchange between musicians worldwide. Visit the project’s pages, feeder sound, EP reviews and exclusive premiere to find out more about the current and future activities.