From abandoning the priesthood to hosting his first events in an ex-communist prison in Romania, Salas is something of an enigma on our scene. A persistent presence in Jaeger’s DJ booth over the last few years, you’ll often find him doing a stint at Helt Texas. Deep, minimal and progressive his mixes reflects something of that homegrown Romanian minimal sound without adopting it completely.
In this edition of the Jaeger Mix, he channels it towards mysterious and sometimes eerie regions, with stoic progressive grooves underpinning wistful textures. Elements flit through earshot through miasmic ambiences, in the wake of determined bass lines.
While Salas has been a fixture in our DJ booth these past years, we know very little of the DJ an his background, with the Jaeger Mix giving us the opportunity to go beyond the cursory greeting.
We were told he left a education in theology to pursue his passion as a DJ, and in Oslo his connections run deep through the scene. We finally find out more about this mysterious figure as he joins the alumni at the Jaeger Mix, to talk about his early beginnings and more as we listen back to his recorded mix.
Hey Salas, welcome to the Jaeger Mix. It seems like this one was a long time coming, and you were eager to join the lineup. Why was it important to lay this mix down?
It was really important for me to contribute to the legacy of a place like Jaeger. So many talented and influential artists have played the Jaeger Mix, and I’ve always wanted to be part of that story.
Tell us a bit more about your history with music and how you arrived at this point.
I’ve been DJing for over 25 years, and it’s always been my passion. I started in my hometown of Husi, Romania, playing teenage parties every Saturday from 4 to 8 PM—mostly dance music back then. As I grew older, I was drawn to progressive house, heavily influenced by the timeless sets of John Digweed. Eventually, I shifted completely toward electronic music and got involved in several projects in Bucharest. That experience laid the foundation for what I do now with Get Lost and Pont here in Oslo, which has been home for the past three years.
What’s your earliest memory of a piece of music?
I vividly remember being 7 years old, sitting in my uncle’s music shop while he made custom mixtape cassettes. One track that really stuck with me was Dr. Alban’s It’s My Life. It just hit differently—and honestly, it’s still a banger!
I’ve been told (although couldn’t verify) that you were on your way to being an ordained priest when you left to become a DJ. Is that true?
Yes, that’s true. I was studying to become a priest at the Orthodox Theological School in my hometown. But by the time I turned 18, I felt a stronger calling in DJ-ing. I went to Athens before the Olympic Games, worked for seven months to save up for my first DJ gear, and when I returned, I opened the first electronic music club in the entire county—in an ex – communist prison, of all places. It was called Fantasy. Wild times!
What was it about DJing that resonated with you at the start?
I’ve always loved how music brings people together. Early on, I realized I had a natural feel for reading a crowd and guiding them through a journey with the music I played. The more I did it, the more I fell in love. It’s still one of the things that brings me the most joy.
Your Jaeger Mix is full of melodic moments underpinned by deep- and tech house structures. How would you describe your sound as a DJ?
I’d describe my sound as melodic and groovy. I love tracks that carry emotion but still make you move. I play across many sub-genres—deep tech, deep house, minimal, and even progressive house—anything that fits the mood I’m building. I like to keep things eclectic while making sure it all flows naturally as a journey.
You are no stranger to Jaeger. You’ve been playing here three times this month alone, and we often see you on the dance floor too. Has it influenced anything about your DJ style or approach?
Definitely. Since moving to Oslo, I’ve connected with some incredible artists here—Ole HK, Normann, Kike Bc, Nordiks, Manu Rochina and many others—who brought me back into the ro-minimal sound (or micro house, as we call it back home). Thursday nights at Jaeger, where I’ve been fortunate to play regularly, have definitely reintroduced that vibe into my sets. I’m really grateful to be part of this community.
In terms of preparing for the Jaeger Mix, was there any specific idea or concept that formed the basis of your set?
I wanted the mix to reflect where I’m at musically. Minimal house has been a big focus for me over the last couple of years, so I wanted this set to be a good representation of what you might hear from me live. It’s rooted in groove but built with intention.
Are you somebody that prepares much of your set or improvises?
For me, more than half of the work happens at home. I spend a lot of time digging for new music and organizing my playlists in a way that helps tell a cohesive story. I don’t plan the set itself, though—I always adapt to the energy of the room in the moment.
How much input was there from the dance floor on the night during your Jaeger Mix?
I was really happy and grateful to see so many friends come out for the Jaeger Mix. The dancefloor filled up early, and I started with a slower groove to ease us in. Once things clicked, the energy was amazing. I got a lot of great feedback after the set, and it’s definitely a night I’ll remember for a long time.
Besides playing Jaeger, what else is on the horizon for Salas that you’d like to share?
As you know, I’m part of Get Lost and Pont concepts, and my friend and partner Kenneth (Gullfisken) and I have some exciting events coming up—though we’re keeping the details under wraps for now. One thing I can share is that on September 26th, for my 40th birthday, we’re throwing another edition of Pont featuring a special international guest. It’s going to be a proper celebration!