Part 1

Name: DJ Deeon
Nationality: American
Occupation: DJ, Producer
Current Event: DJ Deeon will play Appelsap Festival 2018, 11th August 2018 in Amsterdam’s Flevopark. Tickets available at http://appelsap.net
Recommendations: My upcoming album 999 and do funk and myself new album collaboration and tour coming very soon!

Website / Contact: DJ Deeon has a soundcloud page and a facebook account with updates, music and background information.

When did you start DJing - and what or who were your early passions and influences? What is about music and/or sound that drew you to it?

Started in 1980, Kraftwerk, italo dance music, and the hot mix 5 of Chicago. were my influences. Grew up on rob and soul music, found that electronic music was way more interesting at the time

For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and the transition towards your own voice? What is the relationship between copying, learning and your own creativity?

Emulation was everything at first but I found that easy. But in such a way that I decided to put my own touches to it, my voice, my rhythms, all that.

What were some of the main challenges and goals when starting out as a DJ and how have they changed over time?

The technology. Took me quite some time to become computer savvy. I fought it as long as I could lol

What is it about DJing, compared to, say, producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you?

As I said before the tech nowadays allows you to produce and DJ from the same program such as Ableton. The possibilities are endless

How would you define the job and describe the influence of the DJ?

The quickest way to introduce and get opinions of tunes to the masses.

How are the experience and the music transformed through your work?

Describing my joyful experiences in a strip club. And I came to find that women enjoy these clubs just as much as men 

What was your first set-up as DJ like?

2 Technic and a Gemini mixer.

How and for what reasons has your set-up evolved over the years and what are currently some of the most important pieces of gear for you?

Tired of dragging heavy records, the evolution of wave and mp3 files changed everything. CDJ and controllers are the most important to me.

How do you make use of technology?

Creating, sharing, and producing music.

In terms of the feedback mechanism between technology and creativity, what do humans excel at, what do machines excel at?

Humans excel at the creation, machines excel at the execution.

Could you take us through a day in your life, from a possible morning routine through to your work?

During the day, I sleep.

Do you have a fixed schedule?

No I don’t.

How do life and creativity feed back into each other - do you separate them or instead try to make them blend seamlessly?

That’s the hard part. It’s a feeling, a mood. And when I’m not motivated I do nothing.

Let's say you have a gig coming up tonight. What does your approach look like – from selecting the material and preparing for, opening and then building a set?

I have a folder of tunes that l personally like, and I don’t prepare for a set. I just do and play what I feel like

What are some of the considerations that go into deciding which track to play next?

None.

What makes two tracks a good fit?

Tempo and notes.

How far do you tend to plan ahead during a set?

Never.

Would you say you see DJing as improvisation?

I didn’t.

As composition in the moment?

No.

As something entirely different from these terms? 

Very different.

How would you describe the relationship between your choices and goals as a DJ and the expectations, desires and feedback of the audience?

I cannot.

How does this relationship manifest itself during a performance and how do you concretely tap into it? 

No words.

Especially thanks to the storage facilities of digital media, DJ sets could potentially go on forever. Other than closing time, what marks the end of a DJ performance for you?

A very happy crowd!

What are the most satisfying conclusions to a set?

Applause and screaming!

Art can be a purpose in its own right, but it can also directly feed back into everyday life, take on a social and political role and lead to more engagement. Can you describe your approach to art and being an artist?

My job is to help you forget your troubles and dance the pain away, get away from the bullshit and negativity of life for a while.