Some DJs are known for technical skills.
Others for exclusive records.
A select few become recognized for something deeper — their ability to connect different eras, scenes and musical cultures into a coherent story.
For more than two decades, Pepi Jogarde has been one of those figures.
On Friday, June 12, he returns to Funk Club Zagreb, bringing with him the musical curiosity, experience and unmistakable selection style that have made him one of Croatia’s most respected underground selectors.
Running from 22:00 until 02:00, the event offers audiences another opportunity to experience a DJ whose contribution to Croatian electronic music extends far beyond the booth.
Over the years, Pepi Jogarde has become a key figure within the country’s independent electronic music landscape. Through projects and programs such as Adriatic Coasting, Freilauf, forty and hohcajt, he has consistently championed music that exists outside predictable trends and commercial formulas.
His work has always been driven by exploration.
Rather than focusing exclusively on current releases or fashionable sounds, Pepi has spent years uncovering forgotten gems, overlooked records and timeless pieces of music capable of sounding just as relevant today as they did decades ago.
That approach has earned him a loyal following among listeners who appreciate DJs as selectors rather than entertainers.
In an era dominated by algorithms and instant access, the role of the curator has become increasingly important. Pepi belongs to a generation of artists who built their identity through years of digging, collecting and developing a deep relationship with music culture.
That experience remains evident in every set he plays.
With more than 25 years behind the decks, his performances are guided by intuition, knowledge and a genuine passion for discovery. Genres become secondary to feeling. The focus is not on fitting tracks into predefined categories but on creating a journey where every record contributes to a larger narrative.
As a result, no two Pepi Jogarde sets are ever quite the same.
Audiences might hear forgotten Balearic treasures, obscure house records, cosmic disco, leftfield electronics, downtempo explorations or unexpected dancefloor classics sitting comfortably alongside one another. What connects them is not genre but atmosphere.
That ability to move freely between styles has become one of his defining characteristics.
It also explains why he remains such an influential figure within Croatia’s electronic music community.
Throughout the years, Pepi has consistently supported alternative approaches to club culture, helping create spaces where music can be appreciated as both art and social experience. His projects have introduced countless listeners to records they might never have discovered otherwise while simultaneously strengthening connections between local and international scenes.
Funk Club provides the perfect setting for that philosophy. Intimate, community-driven and focused on musical quality, the venue has become a welcoming space for artists who prioritize substance over spectacle.
For an artist like Pepi, that environment matters.
His sets are designed to be experienced closely. The details, transitions and subtle shifts in mood become more meaningful when shared within a smaller room filled with attentive listeners.
Another appealing aspect of the event is its accessibility.
As the organizers emphasize, entry is completely free.
That openness reflects values that have always been important to both Funk Club and Pepi himself: making quality music experiences available to everyone, regardless of background or budget.
It is a simple invitation.
Come down to the club.
Listen carefully.
Dance if you feel like it.
Discover something unexpected.
For longtime followers, the night offers another opportunity to reconnect with one of Croatia’s most distinctive selectors.
For newcomers, it provides a perfect introduction to an artist whose influence reaches far beyond any single genre or scene.
On June 12, Pepi Jogarde returns to Funk Club Zagreb with a record bag full of stories waiting to be told.
And as always, the most interesting ones will probably be the ones nobody saw coming.
