Felix Aguado is a gifted musician and DJ, identified to his followers and followers as DJ Piojo. He’s been on the scene now for a few years and is rapidly racking up a useful checklist of gigs and exhibits to his identify. He’s skilled each ups and downs all through his profession, which began when he was simply 15 years of age. He’s come a good distance since these days as an 8-year-old, taking part in round along with his Dad’s music system.
Felix was capable of spare a while and reply a couple of questions we had about his profession, early influences and his ideas on the long run.
Felix, when did you begin DJing – and what or who have been your early passions and influences?
I began at an early age once I was 8 years outdated, taking part in with my Dad’s music system, which had an equaliser with amplifiers. He had this huge cabinet filled with tapes and music collections of all genres, which he would cycle via and play at dwelling. I keep in mind at household events I’d play with these tapes and I’d play some songs for them. It got here to some extent the place I needed to play music on a regular basis.
I received severely invested in it and began ripping my favorite songs from the radio station on cassette tapes. Each evening I’d placed on my Walkman and hearken to them earlier than sleeping. At that age, I didn’t know what a DJ was or did. All I knew was there was this totally different emotion, a ardour that I had not felt earlier than once I performed music.
At what age did you begin to combine like a DJ and get your first gigs?
After I was 15, I got here throughout ‘Atomix Mp3’ a software program, which emulated DJ gear. This sparked my , and I began researching about what a DJ was and what they did. To place it merely, there wasn’t a lot data on the web about DJing’ again in 2003.
After making a few mixes and sharing it with my associates, I did 2 mixes for a expertise present at my highschool. It was a giant deal for me to listen to my combine on huge audio system in entrance of my associates and different college students, though no one knew it was my combine. On the similar time, I requested my Dad if he may purchase me some DJ gear and he agreed.
Per week after I received my DJ gear, my buddy was having his celebration at his dad or mum’s home. This was my first alternative to make use of my gear. I keep in mind not even having audio system, so I needed to borrow my Dad’s.
I used to be nervous, my arms have been shaking, and there have been far more folks than I had pictured in my thoughts. My associates have been dancing, and the music was superior – a dream debut for any DJ. Every part was going so easily till one of many audio system blew out halfway through the occasion. I didn’t know what to do. Fortunately and paradoxically, the police confirmed up, thereby ending the occasion and saving me.
The next days, my associates began spreading the phrase, and I began DJing for different family and friends members. The checklist and attain began to develop exponentially, transferring onto ‘Quinceaneras’, candy 16s, and finally weddings below my DJ Piojo firm.
How did you get the artist identify Piojo?
Lots of people joke about my DJ identify as a result of “Piojo” in Spanish means “Louse”. Why would I select to be represented below a reputation like that they ask?
After I was younger, I used to be affected by how others noticed me. I used to be finally approached by somebody at a celebration, and he defined as a result of “I used to be in all places”. Just a few months later, once I began engaged on a radio station, I met Daddy Yankee, a Reggaeton Legend. He requested me what my identify was and once I informed him “DJ Piojo” he stated, “Oh, you’re the DJ that’s in all places”. From then on, I knew I had chosen the fitting identify and at all times adopted my instincts, even when most individuals don’t see it that approach but.
What do you personally think about to be the incisive moments in your creative profession?
After forming my DJ firm and staying busy doing weddings, company occasions and personal events, I needed to increase my model to an even bigger platform the place I may showcase my mixing expertise and present my ardour for music.
I had heard of a DJ contest amongst a whole lot of DJ’s on the #1 radio station in my space in Washington DC. I made a decision to present my greatest shot and ship a mixture. I keep in mind practising for hours for my quarter-hour set. I needed to verify each tune had a goal, and I needed to verify each transition would have the fitting power like I used to do once I was 8 taking part in music on my Walkman earlier than going to sleep.
Due to the assistance of my shut associates, household and to CBS Radio firm who believed in my expertise, I received the competition and landed a job on the radio station as a mixture present DJ.
How do you keep updated with the most recent music traits?
Very first thing I do once I get up is stream music on my telephone. I am going through totally different apps daily and go away it on taking part in on the background whereas I prepare.
As soon as I’m within the automobile, I placed on Spotify and stream music via discovery mode taking part in within the background. After I hear a tune that I begin feeling, I flip the amount up, and I write the identify of that tune on a chunk of paper or on my telephone notes whichever is extra handy on the time. I devour lots of music each day. Typically I ask associates to share their playlist as nicely and hearken to them whereas working or commuting. I exploit social media frequently; I observe artists and see what they’re as much as, I discuss to those that observe me and DJ’s domestically and internationally and ask them what they’re into these days.
Worldwide music charts are additionally useful to see if a brand new underground style is popping out that we don’t hear it domestically.
What are presently your principal challenges as a DJ? What’s it about DJing, in comparison with, say, producing your personal music, that makes it enticing for you?
I would like to have the ability to showcase my mixing expertise and entertain folks. Again within the early 2000s as everyone knows, the web wasn’t as huge as it’s now. I’d make mixtapes on CDs and share them with associates and individuals who preferred my mixes. Sharing mixes had at all times opened up doorways at totally different golf equipment and potential purchasers. On this digital period, most individuals don’t have a medium the place to play CDs. Most new automobiles don’t also have a CD participant anymore, however all of them received a cellphone. I typically share mixes on-line on my social media, however document labels declare their copyright and take my mixes down.
I believe having the ability to manipulate music with my turntables and having the ability to play my songs in a mixture together with different nice songs makes it extra rewarding to me.
What methods do you utilize to interact listeners?
Each time I get on my turntables, I’ve to determine what would be the proper ambiance for the occasion. Managing the fitting power on the right occasions can be essential for holding them entertained. Though you may’t at all times make everybody glad, I attempt to look over a crowd and concentrate on totally different teams of individuals and use them as spots of power. I determine once I need folks to cease dancing and when to deliver them again up. All of this comes comfy when you find yourself nicely ready earlier than the occasion. After every occasion, I at all times document my units and hand them out on a USB to those that come as much as me and like my work. I even have lots of my mixes on www.djpiojo.com that updates with my newest creations.
What do you normally begin with when getting ready for a set?
I at all times consider who my listener is first. I ensure that to seek out what their demographic is, vary of ages, time of the occasion and sort of occasion. In my view, a very good set has to let you know a narrative, like taking you on a journey to let unfastened and have a very good time. I stability my tracks with present traits and the nice basic throwbacks to shock them.
What would you say is essentially the most rewarding a part of being a DJ?
Having the chance to precise myself via music, and taking somebody on a musical journey makes all my apply hours price it. That feeling whenever you realise everyone seems to be having a good time and for a couple of hours you’re chargeable for it, by no means will get outdated. Djing has allowed me to fulfill new unbelievable folks, celebrities, see locations and absorb new experiences.
Thanks Felix in your time!
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