This post is also available in: Nederlands (Dutch)
This edition of MY FIRST GIG features American DJ/producer Joel DeMarzo, a veteran of the dance scene. “Those first gigs at house parties in Santa Ana were usually among guests with sagging pants, gangstas, and slick machos. The ladies were always ‘dressed to impress.’”
“My first real gig was at a house party in Santa Ana, California. I was there with my friends Rob Fonza, Rueben Alacantra, and Bill Van. We were still in high school, so I think we were about sixteen or seventeen years old. I don’t remember whose house it was. What I do remember is that we played ‘oldies’ along with hip hop, disco, low rider tunes, and classic rock. I’ve played for various types of audiences. Those first gigs at house parties in Santa Ana were usually among guests with sagging pants, gangstas, and slick machos. The ladies were always ‘dressed to impress.’”
Wild Parties
“These house parties were among the wildest ever. My first solo gig, however, came many years and many adventures later. After countless house parties, I finally managed to organize a night where I played alone. I did this with a few local guys from Westminster. I played house and trance for a nice local crowd. I was 24 years old then.”
Vulnerable
“Was I nervous? To this day, I get nervous before a performance. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing for ten or a thousand people. I always find it nerve-wracking to stand before a crowd and share myself with them. When you’re DJing, you’re very vulnerable, and anything can go wrong. Ultimately, I think my nervousness means my heart is still in it and that I’m not playing on autopilot. What matters is sharing your emotions with the dance floor.”
Playing by Feel
“In the vinyl days, I somewhat prepared my sets. I had to decide which records to bring to a gig, of course. What I end up playing depends on the crowd. I always bring a variety of sounds because every crowd is different. In this digital age, I can practically play any genre and go a hundred different directions, depending on who’s on the dance floor. I don’t prepare anything because I play by feel and wait to see where the crowd wants to go. Much also depends on the DJ who played before me. If they created a cool vibe, I might continue building on that.”
Family
“Many friends and like-minded people were present at those first gigs. We all shared a passion for music. By now, my whole family has attended my performances, from my father to my children. They all love music and join as often as possible.”
Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan
“I never really had a mentor, not in the traditional sense. No one taught me how to beatmatch or program a set. But I grew up in a musical family. My father and uncles all play guitar or another instrument. I was greatly influenced by the greats Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan. I loved how Larry could captivate a crowd and get people to go wild. He was a genius at working the crowd!”
Immature
“My family had no idea I was skipping school to DJ at house parties. Or that we even performed at night. At least not at first.” (laughs) “At the time, I didn’t think about impressing anyone. I just loved being in the moment and playing music that people would remember. I think the girls were impressed, but my then-girlfriend wasn’t really into it. She thought we were immature.” (laughs)
Ecstatic
“Honestly, I don’t remember how that first gig went. Knowing myself, I probably criticized my set when we packed up. Usually, I’m pretty satisfied with the events I play. As long as I see heads bobbing and people making memories, I’m ecstatic. I always make some mistakes. I think in over twenty years of DJing, I’ve never played a perfect set. It’s not about not making mistakes, but you try new things, and they don’t always work out.”
New Challenges
“I learn from my mistakes every day. Plus, every event brings new challenges. During my last mini-tour, for example, we had problems with sound, equipment, and even travel. The travel issues were my own fault. I think mistakes are fantastic experiences that make you a better artist and performer. The trick is to overcome these moments and always deliver the best experience for the dancers and party crowd.”
Adventures
“I’ve been lucky with how my career has developed so far. I’ve played in many different countries, cities, and states, and more adventures are on the horizon. I’ve also had the privilege of playing with some of the world’s best dance artists: Joe Smooth, Mark Farina, DJ Harvey, DJ Dan, Doc Link, DJ Romain, Stacy Kidd, Tony Powell, J Paul Ghetto, Angelo Ferreri, Jason Hodges, Mike Lachman, and many others.”
“For the past five years, I’ve been promoting the True House is a Feeling parties in Amsterdam and Los Angeles. The label and brand are steadily growing. I’ve also released records on Krome Boulevard, Modulate Goes Digital, Global House Music, Selekta Recordings, and have upcoming releases on Psycho Social Club, True House LA, and other labels. As for the future, I look forward to bringing the ‘sounds of the underground’ to you and contributing to the soundtrack of our lives. And remember: dance like no one is watching!”
This interview with Joel DeMarzo was originally published in June 2019 on This Is Our House.
Who is Joel DeMarzo?
As the founder of one of Los Angeles’ most solid and forward thinking underground labels, Joel DeMarzo has created a culture of classic sounds with a happy twist. The man behind True House LA has more than two decades of top flight DJ experience and considers himself first and foremost a messenger of sound. That sound has a foundation in the greatest house music of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Joel DeMarzo’s arsenal of classics and hard to find records creates memories for dance floors all over the world, while his taste for the eclectic track means the crowd is treated to a surprise or two at every performance.
Seeking to provide global audiences with unmatchable entertainment both on the dance floor and on wax, Joel DeMarzo has played alongside and gained the respect of artists such as Doc Link, DJ Dan, Doc Martin, Mark Farina, Demuir, Stacy Kidd. Scott K and J Paul Ghetto. Joel DeMarzo’s production work is known to be both fresh and unique – thick with heavy bass lines soaked in a happy feel designed to get feet moving and bodies shakin’.
Influenced by everything from old school funk, disco, K Billy’s Super Sounds of the 70’s, and the Marley family, to Derrick Carter and the Inland Knights, Joel DeMarzo has performed at Gem Fest, Amsterdam Dance Event, True House is a Feeling, Speaker Freaker, Back 2 Basics and other great events around the world, as Joel DeMarzo continues his mission to ensure music remains of central importance in our lives.
