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DJL does The World

Reported by HarderFaster / Submitted 12-11-08 11:21

After a whirlwind tour of The UK and China, Johannesburg’s DJL is now back in South Africa and is ready to rock it again! Resident at ESP nightclub, he’s now ready to launch some new projects and so now was the perfect time for HarderFaster SA to get the lowdown on this SA legend in the making!



How long have you been playing in the SA market?

Four and half fun and fulfilling years.

What was your motivation to start DJing?

It all started with my enjoyment for dancing. I loved meeting very diverse and amazing people. I developed a love for the music and a fascination for those DJs that had the ability to create the right mood for us to enjoy on the dance floor. The combination of these elements: the people, the energy, the mood and my fascination for the DJ skills sparked my interest in Djing. The rest has been a series of interesting happenings.

DJ Sassy Sam taught me the basics although I did have some musical background. Within a month I was entered by my friends, together with all my nerves, into a DJ competition. I was really enjoying what I was doing and ended up in the finals!

It is difficult to pin point exactly what my motivation is as it is a combination of many things. But definitely it includes the love and enjoyment of the journey, which has created many happy memories, has enriched my life with many awesome people and given me opportunity to play in foreign countries and experience their cultures.

You have just returned from playing in China and the UK, can you tell us where you played and about the experience?

I played at Trance On Thames in the UK, organized by Pathfinder of Spangulation. It is a day festival that has gained in popularity. It is different from other events that I have played in Europe. There were many people from different walks of life and age. The most enjoyable aspect for me was seeing many people relentlessly having loads of fun for hours in a setting which was breathtaking, particularly as the sun went down! The place came alive, the London Eye, Big Ben, boats lit up and the darkness of the night was the canvas. It was picture perfect. The ultimate was seeing kids, 8 or 9 year old dancing with their hands in the air. Something came out in them which was instinctive. Just amazing.

What differentiates the UK partygoers from the SA partygoers in your own experience?

It is difficult to say. I think the difference is not necessarily in the clubbers themselves. I think it is more in the organization of the events. The quality of the sound, the production and the theme of the party adds to the experience. This results in clubbers looking forward to the event and you will see them dressing up, contributing to the event and the fun. Its all about energy. I am not saying that this does not happen in South Africa at all, but there seems to be a greater attention to these details by the organizers.



From your Block8 set in China, what was so unique there and would you like to play there again?

All my perceptions and preconceived ideas that I may have had about China flew out the window. It is a modern society with great values. The people have beautiful energy and really want to please. I guess having the press and Chinese TV was a unique experience. Not so much for them being there but more for the way in which they translate there English. It was really funny. The clubbing culture is growing in a big way but the most unique thing is that clubbers don’t have set minds with regards to genres of music. It is electronic dance music, whether it is electro, house or trance. They are there to party to good music with an open mind. This allowed me to express myself with great variation, touching many genres in my four hour set. I’d definitely do it again. They were impressed with our style and want to see more South Africans there.

You have begun to produce and have released Musictravel with Adam White from the UK, which hit number five on the DCM world charts, How did that make you feel about producing?

It is one of those amazing things that are so unbelievable that I have no words. Only gratitude for the opportunity that Adam White gave me but also our local artists such as Eric M and James G which were also featured on the ESP Music Travel EP.

It was the most recommended EP on Audiojelly and which also hit the DMC Charts at number 29. South African history in the making being the first artists to hit the DMC world dance charts. I feel thankful and hopeful that this will pave the way for more artists from South Africa to achieve even greater things.

Do you have any new productions in the near future?

Yes. We are working on a new track, Africa Sunrise. This track pushes the dance boundaries, I think, as it brings African elements, the electro and trance sounds all into one track.

Who would you like to produce with in the future?

I am happy working with Adam White, he is an amazing person and has given a lot to the music industry, as well as our local talents such as Eric M, James G and Taurus Almight. I am open to many possibilities but I would like to see more South African producers utilizing the Emalodic platform of Adam White so that they can be introduced to the same opportunities that I have had.



What else do you have planned for your DJing career?

It is a dream of mine to bring Africa to the world. There is so much that we have to offer and the world markets appreciate African sound qualities. It’s a dream at the moment but I can see big African dance events combining African and electronic sounds to create something unique.

What would you consider to be the most unique trait a DJ/producer should have?

What I value in life no matter what one does, essentially, is to realize ones real passions and opportunities, but to open these to others. This will make the industry bigger and create more opportunities for all, including ones self. Keeping everything to yourself, talent, ideas, opportunities, ultimately restricts your growth, musically and as a person. We live in a collective consciousness. If we only thought of ourselves we would not exist. We exist thanks to others and the opportunities they bring to us. Therefore, in one word: “reciprocation”.

Where and when can we expect to see you play and what do you have lined up?

Over the next month I will stay put in South Africa. I have taken a little break but you will be able to see me at ESP on the 22nd of November and 16th December with some new surprises from my overseas experience.


Check out the upcoming listings for ESP nightclub events with DJL and some other local stars.

Photos courtesy of DJL. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
Comments:

From: STACE on 25th Nov 2008 13:26.59
Can't believe i've only just seen this! Alessandro, you legend. Heartbeat

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