Insolate: “Full Disclosure, is a reflection of who I am today”

Insolate, the artistic moniker of Sunčica, has emerged as a defining force in the Croatian techno landscape, bringing over two decades of experience as both an acclaimed DJ and innovative producer.

Photo credit: Insolate – Official

As the creative mind behind the Out of Place label and the dynamic HUSH! and TRAUM events, she continues to shape the electronic music scene with her distinctive vision.

Her upcoming sophomore album ‘Full Disclosure’, following the success of 2019’s ‘Order Is Chaos’, represents a deeply personal journey that has already garnered support from Rødhåd, Stephanie Sykes, and Nastia.

Since her debut in 1997, she has graced the decks of venues like Berghain, Rex, and Tomorrowland, while her productions have earned backing from industry titans Laurent Garnier and Ben Klock, appearing on influential labels such as Mote-Evolver and BPitch.

In this candid conversation, Sunčica opens up about her creative process, the state of club culture, and her mission to bring transparency back to electronic music through her aptly titled new album.

EG: Hi, Sunčica! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now? How did you kickstart the year?

Sunčica: Thank you so much for having me! I kicked off the year with a studio lockdown, finally finding the time to complete many projects I had started. I also focused more on my label, Out of Place, and made some layout changes for both the label and HUSH! events. At the same time, I was preparing everything for the album launch, and now I can’t wait to hit the road at the beginning of March!

EG: Exciting! Congratulations on the announcement of your upcoming sophomore studio LP, ‘Full Disclosure’! You must be really looking forward to having this one out. What are some of your initial thoughts post-announcement?

Sunčica: I’m incredibly happy and proud of how this album came together. I followed my heart in selecting the tracks, carefully curating them over more than a year. The feedback so far has been amazing. My goal was to create a sense of vastness while making sure both house and techno DJs could connect with the album. Judging by the incredible support from techno legends like Dave Clarke, Nastia, and Rødhåd, as well as artists like Radio Slave, Carista, and Gerd, I believe I’ve achieved that.

EG: So, when will ‘Full Disclosure’ be available? Why did you decide to have this one out via your own Out of Place Records?

Sunčica: Since I believe an album should be deeply personal, what could be more fitting than releasing it on my own label? I did the same with my first album and its remixed edition, so it felt completely natural to do it again for this one.

EG: In which ways have you grown as an artist since the release of 2019’s ‘Order Is Chaos’?

Sunčica: My debut album, ‘Order is Chaos’, was a deeply personal journey. Released in 2019 on my own Out of Place, it marked a significant milestone in my career, reflecting my evolution over the 20-year journey in music at that time.

My new album, ‘Full Disclosure’, is a reflection of who I am today. It represents the music I love to play, featuring high-energy bangers alongside functional tracks, while experimenting with chords, vocals and melodies. As the title suggests, it is about openness, transparency, and revealing the full truth of who I am as an artist.

“Full Disclosure is about openness, transparency, and revealing the full truth of who I am as an artist”

EG: ‘Full Disclosure’ is a rather suggestive name, isn’t it? What can your fans expect to find this time around? Is there a narrative connecting all the tracks together?

Sunčica: Yes, ‘Full Disclosure’ is definitely a suggestive name! For me, it represents openness and transparency. This album is deeply personal, reflecting my current state of mind, influences, and the energy that drives my sound. While there isn’t a strict narrative, there is a strong cohesion between the tracks, weaving togerither different moods and atmospheres.

EG: And what was the process of creating ‘Full Disclosure’ like? Did you have a clear horizon in mind before you got started?

Sunčica: I started with a completely blank canvas, allowing myself the freedom to create without overthinking. Over the course of nearly a year and a half, I listened to the tracks countless times, making adjustments – sometimes small tweaks, sometimes major changes – until everything felt just right. The last track I created for the album was ‘The Proof’, a collaboration with Croatian guitarist and my partner, PEP. What makes it even more special is that this is his first step into the world of techno. I’m beyond excited about the result – we created an absolute banger, and at that moment, I knew the album was finally complete.

EG: Now, speaking about the state of the scene… do you think there’s a lack of ‘full disclosure’, in terms of transparency, surrounding it?

Sunčica: I feel like the scene has become very gimmicky – it often needs to be shocking and provocative just to capture people’s attention. The same goes for music; there’s a lot of focus on shock value. But I’m glad there are still DJs out there who aren’t afraid to present music in its purest form. That’s also what ‘Full Disclosure’ is about – cutting through the noise and staying true to artistic expression without unnecessary theatrics. In the end, music should speak for itself.

EG: What do you see as the biggest challenge for the music industry in the next few years, and how do you think artists can adapt?

Sunčica: Currently, the biggest problem is the closure of so many clubs, which is weakening the scene. Since COVID, both we and the wider European scene have experienced a noticeable decline in club attendance and venue availability. The landscape has shifted – rather than thriving in smaller, dedicated club spaces, the scene has increasingly gravitated toward large-scale events and mega festivals, leaving traditional club culture in a more fragile state.

Both artists and partygoers need to educate themselves about the history and significance of clubs and the music played in them. We need to make club culture appealing again by reshaping people’s perception – bigger isn’t necessarily better, and it’s time to refocus on the music rather than just the visuals.

“Bigger isn’t necessarily better, and it’s time to refocus on the music rather than just the visuals”

EG: Finally, what’s next for Insolate? What new milestones are you looking forward to in 2025? Where can your fans catch you next?

Sunčica: This March, I’m back on the decks, touring across the EU with stops in Luxembourg, Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase my new album, along with upcoming releases on BRVTAL, Suara, Dokument Rec, Mantra, and others.

I’m also organizing a few special album promotion events where you can listen to the album, meet and greet, mingle, and explore a small exhibition highlighting my 27-year career.

In mid-March, I’ll be composing music for the prestigious Fashion.hr show, collaborating with the incredibly talented designer Helen Kelen, who previously created my look for Boiler Room.

April and May will bring two exciting live streams – one for LOONE and another for HOR. It’s been a while since my last stream, so I’m really looking forward to it. Toward the end of the year, I’m hoping to return to the USA and Colombia.

The next few months will be packed with diverse and exciting projects – I can’t wait!

EG: Thank you so much for your time, Sunčica! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!

Sunčica: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure talking with you!

Insolate’s ‘Full Disclosure’ is now available on Out Of Place. Stream and download here.

Follow Insolate: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook