Over three years he played in many clubs in France and Belgium, reaching the turntables of famous and trendy places like Aux Grands Enfants, La Voile Bleue, La Villa Rouge and Heat Club. He shared the decks with international DJs like Kungs, Dombresky, Nico de Andrea, Chuck Wonderland, DJ Magnum, Nicolas Monier, DJ Sub Zero, David Vendetta.
He is also a house music producer/remixer and beatmaker for hip-hop bands. Recently he signed a track named “Rockn’Rolla” with VSO on POLYDOR Label (UNIVERSAL FRANCE).
In 2017 he decided to move into Dubaï to start his new international DJ career. Resident DJ in one of the most famous and respected venues ZUMA DUBAI, he keeps pushing and developing his own style with live sampling/percussion.
We were lucky enough to get the chance to talk to John about his life in music and we got to know him on a more personal level.
Tell us about your earliest musical memory?
My father used to be a DJ so I grew up with plenty of discs at home. He made me discover pretty much every music genre.
I also remember myself at the back of the car, alone in my mind, listening and discovering different feelings through the music
At what point in your life did you have that moment where you said to yourself, “This is it. This is the type of music I want to create?”
I actually keep building my own style of music. It takes a very long time to build it but 2 years ago I joined ZUMA Dubai as resident DJ. It’s a fantastic venue in Dubai allowing DJs to outperform themselves. This is where I find myself loving powerful, deep afro and melodic house tracks.
Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:
It’s actually a French artist, doing folk-rock music. Yodelice “Tree of life” and “Cardioid”. Very deep escape, melancholic with an outstanding atmosphere.
What key pieces of gear/software are you using to define your sound?
I mainly use Logic Pro X with Native Instruments Vst. I’m a very big fan of MONARK and ROLAND Series to find powerful synth and Arps. I also more recently use OUTPUT VSTs to build more complex atmospheres.
What inspires you outside of music? What do you turn to when the creative well runs a little low?
Outside of music, I mainly play video games or and do go-karting. It allows me to stop overthinking about music and makes my creativity come back. I also try to get out of routine by producing some tracks in other genres like hip-hop.
What is your opinion on the ever-spreading sub-genre vine? Are there too many? Do you think there’s perhaps a sub-genre that doesn’t get the attention it deserves?
My opinion of that is simple. Now we are all used to living with hashtags and that’s what sub-genre is. It just helps people to understand more quickly what the music is all about.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?
Definitely performing and interacting, I love to feel people’s energy, this is definitely my addiction. And if this happens on your own tracks it’s just the best feeling ever !!
As a music artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
Sadly yes, business is now the most important element of your success. I’m afraid of this social media addiction. I know so many talented DJs/Producer losing their residency only because they are not overactive on socials.
Any new or upcoming artists on your radar? Who shouldn’t the world sleep on?
Definitely my friends Moo & Jo and Frederick Stone, I’m a huge fan of their work, very hard workers!!
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
I’m still working to get my own touch. I have some tracks on the side, kind of dark and Ethnic inspirations, let see in the future!
Famous last words?
Stay humble work hard be kind
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