The accomplished artist Celas Mazzola, who goes by the pseudonym Jickow, works in multifaceted roles as a DJ, producer, art director, and booking agent manager in the electronic music scene. The dedicated Frenchman recently established his own record label called Olympe which serves as a homage to his hometown in Marseille and will function as a platform for only his own tracks. Nòstra Dòna De La Gàrdia is part of his debut EP that was recently released in January and refers to Marseille’s Notre-Dame de la Garde.

His productions and DJ sets are rooted in melodic house, techno, and progressive house, and often have a melancholic and nostalgic feel to them. From a strictly electronic music perspective, some of his dream collaborators would be Aquarius Heaven, Oxia, Miss Monique, Criss Source, and Lauren Mia. “These artists are known for their innovative and experimental approach to electronic music and I admire their unique sounds and styles they bring to the genre. I believe that working with any one of them would be a valuable learning experience and a great opportunity to push my own boundaries as a musician.” Another one he would love to collaborate with from a different genre is Jul, a French rapper and producer in Marseille who is currently one of the best-selling rap artists in France. “I am impressed by the way he incorporates melodic elements into his productions, and I believe a collaboration with him would be a great opportunity for me to explore new sounds and styles.” In addition to music, Jickow also has a background in cybersecurity, writing, and public speaking.

The perseverant character wishes to have his music speak to a wider audience and to perform more, however, he is not interested in “breaking into” the music industry and living from it, for the performer will continue to play and share his productions as long as it brings him pleasure. “Every time a person takes the time to listen to one of my tracks, whether it be known or unknown, it deeply touches me and gives me joy that I’ve reached my goal. We live in a society where there is an abundance of musical content and where music is consumed in a disposable way. For me, it’s more important to have people have my tracks in their top Spotify songs than to have fancy DJs say it’s a ‘super release’ but will never pay attention to it again once downloaded.”

Growing up in the north district of Marseille and having roots in both Corsica and Poland has had a significant impact on his identity and who he is today, for it’s shaped his perspective on food, family, and tradition. From his Corsican/Italian heritage, he’s inherited “a deep appreciation for good food, adapted to the Mediterranean way of life, and discovered the importance of family and tradition” compared to his Polish background where he’s acquired “a rich cultural heritage, the strength of community, and ability to overcome adversity.” Marseille has given him an exclusive outlook of the world, one that is shaped by struggles and triumphs, and has taught him “to appreciate the beauty and richness of diversity and to always strive to make a positive impact in the world.”

Now based in the incredibly diverse city of Brussels, he loves how the city’s vibrant nightlife is home to a wide range of musicians from varied backgrounds that bring a unique fusion of styles and influences to the local music scene. However, the music scene in Brussels is currently facing some challenging moments such as the recent closure of the iconic club, Fuse, where there was a decision made by the local government to limit the club’s sound and operating hours due to a complaint from a single neighbor. Nevertheless, he relays how “the entire music community is hopeful that the city hall will reconsider this decision, but it could have a devastating impact on the local music scene.”

In the past, Jickow shares his struggles with addictions and how it had a detrimental impact on his personal life, but by committing to sobriety, he’s been able to reconnect with his true self. “Being sober for over 400 days has given me clarity, renewed energy, and dedication, and it’s also allowed me to make positive changes in my life and be more present in my relationships like being a father. Overall, it has been a transformative and empowering experience that has improved my overall well-being and quality of life.” Some of his professional and personal goals for the upcoming year include successfully launching two new projects and reducing his workload to spend more time with his family and son. Be on the lookout for his next EP out in April and support the admirable artist now on Instagram and Beatport.