Locals: JUNIOR B Interview
Who are you? How old are you?
I’m Brian Vella, born on 17th October 1979.
How many months/ years have you been Djing / producing?
I started my music journey back in 1995.
Mention an artist that inspired you to become a DJ/producer?
Many too mention, but Dave Clarke, Jeff Mills, Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins, Derrick May amongst many others.
Is there a local artist that you look up to and love to see play at events?
Many too mention, but I have a soft spot for those who have a talent but keep their foot on the ground.
What skills do you think DJs need to be successful?
Having a lot of likes or followers on social media for me doesn’t make you successful. For me a successful DJ is an artist with quality mixing technique, capable of choosing the right sounds to build up a set, but not only, having the right attitude towards others and without forgetting from where one has started. The right attitude is a must also.
How do you stay up to date with the latest music trends?
Today there’s different social media platforms that help you keep yourself up to date. Absolutely different scenario from years ago, when we used to follow magazines, calling record shops abroad to listen to new productions and alot of travelling to buy new vinyls. Same as productions, back in the days having a studio to produce was very expensive, nowadays softwares makes it much more possible to produce music. Life is much easier today to update yourself with music!
What would you say is the most rewarding part of being a DJ?
What differences do you see between the past and present scene as an artist who has been DJing from generation to generation?
Oh gosh big differences. Definitely I disagree with those saying that in the past everything was perfect and today there’s nothing good or vice versa. What is for sure is that back in the past everything was new, simple and raw, while today it is more based on business. Both scenarios have their positive and negative aspects. What the local scene is lacking right now is a lack of unity, which personally really makes me angry. Music should never ever divide!
As an artist who has witnessed the evolution of techno music, what are your favorite aspects of the genre?
A very important aspect is that techno sound keeps evolving, this makes the genre stay alive and accepted from one generation to another. Same as language, if it doesn’t evolve, then it will die.
What are the elements that have kept you motivated as an artist that has been DJing for many years?
DJing is a passion that I can’t live without. For a period of time I stopped DJing because I am suffering from hearing loss and Tinnitus as for many years I was exposed to loud noise. I know that I am doing more damage to my ears, but until now I can’t imagine myself without expressing myself through music. As long as I continue to enjoy it, I will keep doing it. It’s nice to give back as well after having received over the years.
