Giorgi Pipia | Soundcloud | Instagram | Resident Advisor
There’s a unique energy pulsing through Tbilisi’s Left Bank club, and few DJs in the city channel that current quite like Giorgi Pipia. Having become a hub for Tbilisi’s young artists, aspiring DJs, and local producers, Pipia has been a resident of the club since its earliest days, and grown very much as DJ within the space. From warming up for Lena Willikens and Lee Gamble to closing after Pariah, his sets are marked by a careful intuition shaped by the ongoing challenge of offering something fresh and different to the Tbilisi crowds. We highlighted Left Bank’s strong identity as a platform for the local electronic music community in a 2023 interview with its founder Gacha Bakradze, and Pipia embodies that ethos fully. This can be especially evident on his shows for Rinse FM France, where he curates an ever-evolving mix of guests, featuring Georgian DJs such as DJ Astrobee, Esi and Memotech to more International DJs such as Oliver Hafenbauer, buttechno and Dj wiggles.
Pipia closes out season two of our Truancy Sessions mix series in style with a set recorded live at Left Bank. Capturing the relaxed vibe of friends chilling, drinking beer, and hanging out during the recording, the mix reflects the energy he brings to his club sets. The tracklist is rich, featuring a host of tracks from the likes of Neinzer, Baby Ford, Globex, HVL, Volodymyr Gnatenko, Sepehr, C.K, DJ Spence, Gideon Jackson, Marie K and more.
Can you take us back to your first experiences with electronic music? What was it like growing up in Georgia and what were some of your formative experiences with both music and dance-music? “Let me start from the very beginning – from the first time I had any real connection with music. It all began with Gorillaz. I was around 12 years old when I first listened to their Demon Days album, and that moment pulled me deep into a musical whirlwind. I started searching for other albums, and slowly, new artists made their way into my world.
I remember randomly coming across “One More Time” by Daft Punk – and I had it on loop for about a week. That led me to discover more of their tracks. This was also a time in Georgia when the internet wasn’t easily accessible for most people. I used to go to certain places just to be able to listen to music and dig for new artists and bands.
Along the way, I discovered artists who had a profound impact on me. One duo in particular was Everything But The Girl, especially their legendary album Walking Wounded.
At some point, I got my hands on an Apple iPod Classic, and it became my personal archive – I was constantly collecting music.
I should also mention that besides electronic music, Damon Albarn and his incredibly diverse style influenced me deeply. That sense of versatility shaped my approach to DJing as well. I always try to be diverse in my selections – and I think it’s something that really comes through in my sets.”
Can you tell us about three albums that a) define you getting into electronic music in general, b) maybe a midway album when you were fully invested in DJing and and c) a recent album that you’ve especially enjoyed? And what made these albums so special at the time. “As I mentioned earlier, Walking Wounded by Everything But The Girl was one of the key albums that helped guide me into the world of electronic music.
For this question, I want to highlight a few artists who have had a deep and lasting influence on my overall musical taste. One of them is Dean Blunt – an artist I never get tired of listening to, and honestly, I don’t think I ever will. His album Black Metal in particular holds a special place for me 🫠
More recently, one release that really left an impression on me is Blue Desert by Jack J, out on Mood Hut. I highly recommend giving it a listen – preferably with a glass of wine in hand, especially if you’re into dream pop.”
Can you tell us a little bit about the parties you first started attending when you first got into dancing music? Who were some of the DJs you were going to see? I imagine there must have been lots of amazing locals, possibly in Tbilisi? “As soon as I turned 18 – this was back in 2014 – I started going to parties. At the time, the club scene in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi, hadn’t fully taken shape yet. There were only two main clubs: Mtkvarze and Gallery. Bassiani opened a bit later, and that was followed by the emergence of several other venues.
That period was very formative for me – I was just getting into DJing, discovering different genres, and being exposed to a wide range of artists and groups. I used to go to Mtkvarze quite often, and when Bassiani opened, I started partying there as well. Festivals also played a big role in my musical journey.
I remember being really into the sets of Motor City Drum Ensemble (Danilo Plessow) – and when he came to play at the 4GB Festival, I had an amazing time and even managed to take a memorable photo with him. I also vividly remember Terekke’s visit to Bassiani – he played alongside Huerco S. That was an unforgettable night.
I’ll never forget Vladimir Ivkovic’s set at Mtkvarze, or Tolouse Low Trax’s live show at the same venue. I’ve experienced so many memorable sets in Tbilisi over the years. Oh – and I can’t forget Hunee’s incredible set at the 4GB Festival either.
There are probably many more I’m forgetting right now, but those nights were truly special. And of course, I have to mention our local artists – who were always delivering at the highest level.”
When did you start DJing, and how has your approach evolved? What’s your process for discovering new music and curating your sets? “If I remember correctly, it was around 2019 – and it all happened completely by chance. I was making playlists on YouTube at home just for myself, and one of the bookers from a local venue stumbled upon them. He decided to invite me to play at one of his parties. I was both confused and excited – and to be honest, that set didn’t go too well from a technical standpoint. I had only used DJ equipment once before, so I didn’t stress too much about it. 😄
Over the years, of course, my approach evolved. I was constantly looking for new artists and listening to sets by my favorite DJs. My taste shifted over time too, and with it, the styles I played in my own sets. There was a period when I played only downtempo, but that eventually changed. Now, I can confidently say that my sets are quite diverse – which really comes through in my radio show on Rinse FM.
Nowadays, the process of discovering music has become much easier than it used to be. I’ve gained more experience, I know better what to play in different settings, and how to pick the right tracks for each moment.”
What can you tell us about being a resident at Left Bank? How did you get involved there and can you tell us about some of your most memorable nights both as a DJ and as a dancer in the crowd? “Left Bank has played a huge role in both my musical and personal life. Professionally, the space has taught me so much. Being a club resident is a completely different experience – it’s a place where you play once or twice a month consistently, which means you’re constantly challenged to offer something fresh and different to the crowd. It carries a lot of responsibility, but honestly, the process is incredibly rewarding and enjoyable.
I joined the Left Bank team very shortly after the club opened. Now, I’m not just a resident – I’m also part of the crew. I remember how every staff member was deeply involved in shaping the club from the beginning. We attended meetings, shared ideas and visions, and over time, the space took shape – and here we are now.
Before I officially became a resident, Gacha, one of the club’s co-founders, would often invite me to play. Then came the message where he offered me the residency – I still remember how happy I was reading it. I was already a regular at the club, and stepping into the role of a resident felt incredibly special.
There have been so many unforgettable nights – like warming up for Lena Willikens, closing after Pariah, and playing the opening set for Lee Gamble. There are also countless memorable sets, both solo and back-to-back.
As a listener, I was really moved by Elena Colomb’s visit – and Toma Kami’s dreamy DJ set was another highlight. Honestly, there are so many moments that meant a lot to me, I can’t even name them all.”
Could you talk about the evolution of your DJing over the years? Has your focus or approach to what you play and how you play shifted over the last decade? “As I’ve mentioned in previous answers, both my taste and approach have shifted over time throughout my career. I’ve explored a wide range of styles and genres, all of which I’ve tried to express through my DJ sets. I’ve always aimed to be versatile and to offer something fresh to the audience.
If you take a look at my selection, you’ll probably find at least one track from almost every genre.”
In what ways do your Tbilisi surroundings influence your music? How would you describe its contemporary electronic music scene? “To be honest, I’ve never really reflected much on the influence of the Tbilisi environment itself – but when it comes to the scene, the contemporary electronic landscape in Tbilisi is both evolving and dynamic.
Despite all the challenges – social, political, and economic – there are people here who are genuinely dedicated to this culture. A new wave of young artists has emerged, each bringing their own unique sound and perspective.”
Could you describe the process of creating this mix? Was there a specific message or feeling you wanted to convey? “I recorded this mix at Left Bank, in a really pleasant atmosphere – friends were chilling, drinking beer, and hanging out while the recording was happening.
As for the feeling behind it, I simply wanted to capture the energy I usually experience when playing during a club night. This mix reflects the kind of sound I’ve mostly been playing at club nights recently.”
Last, usual question from us, what was the last thing to put a big smile on your face and when was the last time you had a proper dance? “Just off the top of my head – I was recently listening to Mayonaise by The Smashing Pumpkins, and for some reason, it brought a big smile to my face.
The last time I truly danced from the heart was during my recent trip – I was playing a closing set in Batumi, our small and lovely seaside city, in a cozy little club. Out of nowhere, my friend jumped in and joined me behind the decks. We ended up playing synth-pop, new wave, and disco – it was such a joyful party. We were DJing and dancing at the same time.”
Artwork by Lolo
You can download Truancy Sessions S02 E08: Giorgi Pipia in 320 kbps on Patreon here. Your support helps cover all our costs and allows Truants to continue running as a non-profit and ad-free platform. Members will receive exclusive access to mixes, tracklists, and discounts off future merchandise. If money is tight however and you’re desperately after any ID, please leave us a comment over on the Soundcloud link and either us or Giorgi will get back to you :)
