How did you find your calling as a DJ?

I believe my passion for music was discovered while watching international and local artistes during my childhood. It has always been lingering in my mind to become a musician. I started off at the DJ academy learning the basics of mixing and I would like to thank Chathura for the amazing support. I was appreciated a lot by my friends and their enormous encouragement has made me who I am today and what I am delivering to the crowd. And I should say that TNL onstage paved the way for me to show my talents but then I started my career moving in to the underground music scene and it was the turning point in my music industry. Apart from playing gigs I started learning producing there and there will be some fresh Alexxo music on the way.

Tell me about your first gig.

The very first gig I played was AREA in mirissa which was hosted by Zonik Entertainment and unlike the others I should say my start was not perfect at all. That is where I realized I have so much to learn and I could do a lot better in my music career. So I started exploring more about the music digging deep into the house music.

How do you know that your mixes will please audiences?

It was super exciting at very first playing a bunch of tracks for a crowd but then I started realizing this is not actually what an underground DJ should deliver as it has to be more a  journey kind of music whilst doing experiments and finding the depth of the music. I started making my sets wonderful and I see how people enjoy the vibe during the sets and how it connects each other. I believe music can convey millions of feelings in our heart without even trying and I consider music ito be an important aspect of my life. Music can change the world because it can change people.

How far do you think you have progressed?

It's been two years since I started my career as a DJ. I think I’m still at the very beginning of my music career and  my passion for connecting with people through music has blessed me  with skills  that would reach out to crowds through explosive sounds almost as if I could tap into the vibration of music. And it's no wonder that I make my crowd happy as much as I can and that is the reason where I stand today and I have a long way to go.

What is the fundamental thing to get a proper mix? 

It’s not always about the flow of your mix but how you have tried to put together your story inside that. Every mix I make I have tried my best to build up a journey till the end of it. In a way I must tell that it's a challenge for a DJ to keep up the flow intense with the crowd fulfilling their desires to the fullest and it’s all about what he learnt and experienced so far and learning new techniques and skills in the ocean of music.

Who are your influences in music?

My favourite artists are Laidback Luke, Roger Sanchez , Nick Curly and James Zabiela. It's always breathtaking to see what they do with the decks and the creativity of their performance is capable enough for anyone to have goosebumps who loves their music. I should never forget to mention the local DJs like Shiyam, Asvajit, Muku and Tim Tim. The skills they have got in the decks and as professional DJs, the good work they have done for the Sri Lankan music industry is amazing.

Your thoughts on every kid picking up a console and calling themselves a DJ?

I believe those who love music will never call themselves a DJ until they realize what is music and start with a proper understanding about the purpose of being a disc jockey. They have to choose carefully what they want to be, either a mobile DJ or club DJ and should start from the very basics. Then nothing can go wrong according to my opinion. For their naive young minds they believe that anyone can cut a figure in society as a DJ but still you need to choose the path where you want to be and there's no doubt about it.

Who would you consider notable DJs in Sri Lanka?

I don’t think I could stop naming as there are many considerable professional DJs in Sri Lanka and they have come a long way and have done so much for the industry. With their skills of performing, their talents have made them who they are today. But my personal favourites would be Shiyam, Asvajit, Muku ,Tim Tim, Upul, Sunara, Geve and many more.

By Reihan Stephen