1/ So First Off - Tell Us your Name, City and Country and what you currently do for a living?
Nikola Batinic - Music to Playlist Curator
What is good everybody! My name is Nikola and I am from San Jose, California. Currently, I am a full-time undergrad student at Sonoma State University studying Economics. I will be graduating in May 2020. I am also a server and catering assistant for a few different wineries and event companies within the Bay Area and help my dad at his auto repair shop whenever I get the chance. My hobbies include making music with my friends, hiking, and going to concerts.
2/ Is This Something You Always Wanted To Do? What Do You Enjoy About It?
I have always had a passion for music and have been expanding my musical horizons ever since I started to grasp what the internet was and the opportunities that came with it. I enjoy listening to new music and being a curator gives me an excuse to spend a disturbing amount of time on SoundCloud every day... It is pretty unhealthy but it fulfills my soul.
3/ Tell Us About Your First Musical Memory - Why Do You Think You Remember It?
I used to watch a show called CMC (California Music Channel) when I was in elementary/middle school and they used to show really dope music videos. Don't Matter by Akon, The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani, Cupid's Chokehold by Gym Class Heroes, Crank That by Soulja Boy were some classics I remember hearing for the first time. Chuy Gomez hosted the show.
4/ Who Did You Make Your First Mixtape / Playlist For - What Was The Result - Did They Dig It?
I never really made mixtapes for people... I just always got put on the aux chord because people loved what I played. They enjoy my selection but my music gets really weird sometimes and I switch genres up pretty quickly. I'll go from playing an R&B vibe to heavy riddim (bassy, repetitive dubstep). I love putting people onto new artists and if I'm really feeling a track my energy will transfer to them. I get really hyper when a good slap comes on in the car (I call amazing songs 'slaps'), and it gets rid of all my stress. I also make mixes and songs in GarageBand.
My music tastes are reflected in my Soundcloud reposts. Take a listen: https://soundcloud.com/music2addicted2
5/ What Made You Go Online And Search About Music Curation?
I was watching a youtube video about some chick who listened and curated Spotify playlists for a living and I started searching for similar gigs. I landed here. Crazy to think that I have been with Musicto for over a year... It helps when you are doing something you love. I also wanted to practice my writing skills and make a sort of online portfolio for myself.
6/ Tell us about the name of your Playlist - where did that come from?
My playlist is called Music To Get Addicted To and it came from the fact that music is my #1 addiction. I listen in the shower, car, bed, when I go on hikes, when I am hanging out with friends, and countless other places. The music is also just addictive in my own opinion. You have to really enjoy the new wave and sounds that are coming out to groove to the music. I listen for addictive flows, voices, sounds, bass lines, and songs that give me goosebumps.
7/ What does a track have to have to make it onto your list, is there something special that you look for?
It has to have a lot of replay value and it has to be a song that is addictive. Period.
8/ What can an artist do in their track submission to your list to ensure that you'll listen to their track?
Drop a link to your Soundcloud or use the following words in your submission: R&B, Hip-Hop, RnBass, Bass, House, Trap, Vibe, SadTrap.
9/ We know - these change all the time - but as of this week - what are your all time top 5 favorite tracks.
Coming Down (Mixtape Version) - The Weeknd
Good Friends Club (feat. 916frosty) - Angst
CHIME - NT_KAIZOKU
Dare - The Gorillaz
20 min - Lil Uzi Vert
These are honestly just the first 5 that came to mind (minus Coming Down), but they are pretty accurate. If I was to die after playing 5 songs these are probably the ones I would choose.
10/ And finally - which Music to Curator should we interview next?
Mert Turan from Music To Take Over The Night.