Pirka: A Visionary Label from North Macedonia

Pirka, the visionary label from North Macedonia, was founded in 2020. While the region is not traditionally recognised as a hub for electronic music talent, it’s quickly become a beacon for innovative and inspiring music under the guidance of its founders, Blagoj Rambabov, Dejan Talevski & Ivan Dautovski.. With a deep-rooted passion for creative expression, Blagoj envisioned Pirka as a platform where music, art, and visual elements come together in harmony, extending far beyond just music releases. In just a few years, it’s safe to say they’ve achieved this.

Blagoj & Dejan’s long-held dream of opening a music label came to life with the support of close friends Dejan and Ivan, shaping Pirka into a unique artistic venture. The label is more than a music outlet; it represents various art forms brought to life through carefully curated events that blend audiovisual elements with North Macedonia’s beautiful landscapes and urban venues. Pirka’s goal is to create a tightly-knit collective of artists, offering both emerging and established talents a space to connect with audiences, push creative boundaries, and explore new forms of artistic expression.

Over the past four years, Pirka has brought together notable artists such as Varhat, Maline Genie, Janeret, Michael James, Franco Cinelli, Jorge Savoreti, Mikhu, and Vincent Casanova. The label has released 30 digital projects, 5 vinyl releases, 2 vinyl edit releases, 4 free edit compilations, and over 35 podcasts, featuring contributions from more than 90 artists.

Indeed, Pirka's mission goes beyond music, creating inclusive, artistic experiences where musicians, visual artists, and performers can collaborate in stunning settings, blending nature, art, and sound in unique ways.

As Pirka continues to grow, it remains committed to bridging the gap between electronic music and creative expression. With a steadily expanding roster and a dedicated community, Pirka is redefining what a music label can be, symbolising the transformative power of art and music. 

Coming up on the label - and proof again of the label’s dedication to cutting-edge music - is Constratti’s The Shapeshifter EP. The 30th release from the label, it features four enticing, dancefloor-focused cuts from the fledgling Romanian. Opener ‘Whatcha Gonna Do’ is all about the neat acid lines, but it’s ‘The Shapeshifter’ (premiered below) that really took our breath away. A deep, ethereal cut that’s loaded with wonder (but also filled with suspense aplenty), it's the high point on a record that’s never lacking in magical moments. 

On the flip, ‘Silk Road’ is a jacking, bumping cut that shows another side to the producer’s arsenal, before the zippy sounds of ‘Pluviophilia’ close out the release in esteemed fashion. 

An all-round fitting example of what makes the label tick, Constratti’s The Shapeshifter EP celebrates the label’s 30th release in some style. 

Listen to our premiere of Constratti's ‘The Shapeshifter’ below 

Keep up with Pirka on Soundcloud, Instagram and Facebook