Unlocking
DJ Sunset
What inspired you to enter the music space?
I was inspired to enter the music space ever since I was a child. My grandpa would whistle and sing all day, every day, and I think genetically it was passed down to me because although I would only visit him in Mexico two or three times a year, I too am constantly singing and whistling. My mom is also a great singer, but she only shows it off on the rare occasion at family parties. In high school I played bass in a band, covering Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, Pepper and all sorts of reggae ska punk rock. When I went to college in Santa Barbara, I joined a new band where I was the bassist and lead singer. After graduation the band split, so I took on the guitar and started playing solo in my room, until I met my now friend and business partner Abraham, who introduced me to house music.
Talk us through your production process?
I produce just as if I am in a band. I lay down the bass line, add the melody, chords, drums, nice synths and pianos. Then I'll have a friend play the guitar over it, or have a friend sing or rap over it, and it makes for such great music. I am super into collaborating and making the songs sound as original as possible.
What brought you to San Diego?
I am originally from San Diego, but I left for college to Santa Barbara and that is where I began to DJ and started my festival production company, FestVibes. I knew I had to come back to San Diego because it was bigger, and had more opportunities and bigger crowds.
With so many newly opened venues and recently started events, the San Diego dance scene is growing rapidly. What are your observations and thoughts on the scene and community here?
I am truly loving all the new venues and events happening in San Diego, especially in the house scene. Now there is house music everywhere and events being held in all sorts of amazing places, really highlighting the beauty of this city.
You're the founder of event collective FestVibes and Skyfest Music Festival, and are involved with Hood Politics. Tell us about that?
Yes, I am one of the founders of FestVibes and Skyfest as well as on the Hood Politics record label. FestVibes is a festival production company and we've done over 100 events since we began in 2016. Skyfest is a skydiving, art and music festival. It's everything you would expect from a music festival, but attendees have the opportunity to skydive while attending the event.
What has been your favorite venue to play in San Diego?
My favorite venue to play was at Kosmic Gardenz, a festival we threw at a ranch in Jamul that overlooked all of San Diego. As for clubs, Bloom nightclub is my favorite place to play, they have amazing sound in there.
I want to help people all over the world enjoy their life more and spread positive messages of self love, caring and joy.
When you're going out dancing in San Diego on a night off from producing and DJing, where will we find you?
Honestly, there really isn't a weekend I have off. If I'm not playing a show at a club or festival, we set up a silent disco on the beach in front of Water Bar in Pacific Beach. As soon as the clubs close, we are the after party.
Who are your 'ones to watch' from the San Diego scene?
DJ Susan and the entire Hood Politics crew are crushing it. My friends Maximo and Burko are crushing it too, and the entire FestVibes crew should be on everyone's radar: Moonlight, Branthedon and Nandito.
What are your future plans, and what should we look out for from you?
My future plans are to travel the world DJing in as many countries as possible and have an annual festival in San Diego that I come back to. I want to help people all over the world enjoy their life more and spread positive messages of self love, caring and joy.
If you could play anywhere, at any venue in the world tonight, where would it be?
Some crazy arena in Brazil with my boys Breaking Beattz. Brazilian tech house is really taking over and I want to be a part of it.
In what ways can the San Diego dance community support you or collaborate with you?
The San Diego community can support me by following @festvibes.io on Instagram and attending our festivals and events.
DJ Sunset