Articles - Interviews

“There are force 12 hurricane strength storms (like last year), spiky plants scratching your ankles, red stinging jellyfish in the sea, mountain rocks yet no trees or shelter other than your tent . . . Then you’ve got to cope with wet pants up to your knickers, rain lashing you hard in the face side-ways and the fact that you’ve got no idea when the next meal is really gonna’ be served or if indeed there's going to be enough food left for you when it’s your turn.

Then there’s no running water or showers on the island at all (not even a tap) and you've got the choice between going to the toilet in a crack in the rocks or a wooden shithouse filled to the brim, with no lights . . . and yet you can't think of a better place to be. What do I think of Secret Island Festival? IT'S BRILLIANT . . .!” Berlin based Skrufff DJ Fidelity Kastrow


Jonty Skrufff: How did this year’s event compare to when you were at SIN before?

Fidelity Kastrow: “It’s only my second time at SIN, but for me the lights and decor really stood out this year. All the little details told a story and I felt it added enormously to the vibe on the island and gave a sort of urban-broken-souls-in-search-of-meaning identity to the party.”

Skrufff: All the DJs always play for free: what is it about SIN that makes you want to be involved?

Fidelity Kastrow: “The vibe, the people, the parallel universe experience and the euphoria of surviving in the wild whilst celebrating that you are alive. On the island I feel truly ALIVE and it makes me want to contribute, give something back to the community that has welcomed into their microcosmos. I feel grateful that I can be part of it and do my thing, which happens to be DJing. Just as all other crew members contribute doing their thing and all together we create this little DIY Utopia: a mini-society where the people that go to the festival create their own nation and then live in what is mostly anarchy. A totally happy and peaceful one. Situated (and pretty much stuck) on a completely deserted and untouched island in Sweden and the weather (and pretty much everything else) is unpredictable.”

Everyone I met seemed friendly and interested to chat whether about camping tricks and survival gear or which DJs we liked. On the main part of the island you’re accompanied by the many wicked DJ- and live-sets, amplified by the echo of the surrounding rocks and mountains, which are further fine-tuned by the water echo around. And everybody moves to that same beat, whereever they are or whatever they’re doing ;  brushing teeth next to the tent, Tai-Chi-ing on the top of the mountain, dreaming by the beach . . . It's one of those places where I want to hug strangers and thank them for this wonderful world. It's one of those places where I want to share every one of my drinks with someone...a place where when someone accidentally walks off with my lighter, I bless them. SIN has that certain magic that puts my worries and problems into perspective and let's the everyday bullshit fade away.”

If someone speaks jibberish I kindly listen to the nonsense and could do for hours, nothing seems annoying . . . well ok, as long as I've got dry clothes on.”

Skrufff: What makes SIN different from other festivals?

Fidelity Kastrow: “There are no police, no security, no VIP, no backstage, no proper toilets, no showers, no running water, no shelter apart from your own tent, no getting away even if you wanted to...it's all a self-regulating we-are-one mass of happy people stuck on a deserted island, skipping, rolling, dancing, hoola-hooping, bouncing and stumbling around. Bonds are formed with caterpillars and tent neighbours, new arrivals and crew members. It's totally guerrilla. I feel like a freedom fighter...immersed fully in nature, whipped by the elements and surrounded by like-minded people unwilling to conform to societies limitations. In fact, I think I'm turning into an outdoor freak, next year I'm thinking of trying to catch my own fish to eat. I'm loving the preparation of searching for outdoor and survival gadgets, all ready to survive another hurricane in a tent.”

Skrufff: How much of a problem is the weather; how do you handle storms and being soaked (without getting fed up?)

Fidelity Kastrow: “In a strange way the unpredictable weather is one of the best bits. Of course, when I’m completely soaked trying to set up a tent in a storm, I hate every minute of it and curse vehemently promising I’ll never do this again but once finished changed into my dry pyjamas...I sit triumphant inside my dancing tent and go YEAH! This is the best thing EVER.”

Skrufff: What would you change about SIN?

Fidelity Kastrow: “Not much really. I think as it grows in numbers, some sort of security might possibly be something to think about. I’m thinking along the lines of a volunteer based neighbourhood watch, with some advice from professionals about how to deal with people showing antisocial behaviour, if it becomes necessary at all, which perhaps at some point it might. I guess it could be a new chellange for the Sweutschland nation as it grows in numbers: How do we deal with party-poopers without becoming party-poopers ourselves?”

Skrufff: What advice would you offer someone who's never been before?

Fidelity Kastrow: “Keep your undies, pyjamas, a set of changing clothes and a going-home-kit in a re-sealable plastic bag, bring a big-ish collapsible water container and a small bowl so you can wash a bit and cook some emergency food. That’s on top of your usual festival packing stack including the likes of a rainproof coat, wellies, baby-wipes, loo-paper in a plastic bag, sunblock and insect repellent. Oh, and a camera to capture some of the magic to savour for later.”


Jonty Skrufff (http://skrufff.com): Follow Jonty on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/djjontyskrufff