Two DJs, One Table: The Beginner vs The Veteran. | Ep 61

Speaker A: All right, so we are live. Today's one is really interesting, special. We have actually two DJs on board in here. Two DJs. We have Mary. We have Mary, um, who I just met. Adnamos, Mykonos. Actually, right now, today, we are in a beautiful Mykonos, as you can see in our background. So I'm going to Namos a lot. I like the place. I'm going there since, you know, I was really young, so I have lots of memories. But, um, sometimes also, you know, I'm going to Namos Village. I'm just staying, uh, at the coffee shop. I'm working there. I'm going early mornings, um, you know, with my laptop, so buy some areas playing there. And, um, since also one of the things that I'm doing on the phone, we'll see of the list, as you are aware. Uh, so we are into the hospitality tech. So we are in touch with lots, uh, of, you know, people in the industry, DJs, singers, uh, you know, promoters, waitress, you name it. So, you know, it's. We, uh, are really getting in touch with these people. So it can also always help us to learn more so we can give back more to the industry and upgrade our services. So that's why I asked her, please, to join me in a podcast today. And funny enough, one of my really, really good friend Rus, AKA Amore, um, he just happened to be around us today. And, um, as you know, my podcasts are raw. Um, I don't edit, so we just record and go live. So as I, at the time, the moment that I was just sitting up, you know, the phone, uh, you know, the holder, my laptop and all that, Bruce was talking, uh, to Mari in the background, um, because Ruz has lots of experience in DJing. He loves it, and he actually has played in lots of great events worldwide, from Cancun to Scorpios to Dubai, Frankfurt. So, so many great parties and great beaches. And I know him for more than 10 years now. Wow, time flies. So what I know also he helped many, many, many young DJs to thrive. I know many local DJs, um, from Mykonos, um, especially that, um, Bruce was right now, today, because of Rus, they're playing in, uh, you know, in, uh, Dubai, in Korea, in, you know, some of the toughest places. So in the background, Ruth was talking to Mary, and as. As I was setting up, you know, my things, I was like, dude, stay.

Speaker B: Please say you're actually asking the right questions.

Speaker A: So, Mary, thank you so much for your time.

Speaker C: Thank you for Having me.

Speaker A: Thank you so much for your time. Mary, please, just really briefly tell to our audience who you are. Where are you from, how old are you and what you're doing right now? Obviously, I know you're DJing at nor.

Speaker C: Yes. So I'm 23. I'm hiding that in a few days I'm going to be 24. So let's say. Yeah, so let's say 23. Um, I'm from Crete, half from Sweet. I'm, um, half from Wales. Wow.

Speaker B: Uh, that's a. That's a rare mix.

Speaker C: Yes, I know. Such a weird one. And I look Ukrainian. So weird. So, M. I play in Thessaloniki mostly. I do events. I used to be a hostess because with studying I had to, you know, provide for myself as well. And, um, one day I was. Well, I wanted to be a DJ since I was 15, but it didn't like, I. I didn't have the right people next to me to do it. So.

Speaker B: M. When did you start?

Speaker A: First time.

Speaker B: Like, why, why did you. Why did you like it? Like, become a dj? Was it just, uh, it was passion. The wives on social media, everybody becoming a dj. Why, like, passion for music? Like, what?

Speaker C: First of all, it was passion for music. I didn't think I would ever make money from it, but I said, let's do it. It's a risk, but let's do it. So I quit all of my jobs. I did nothing.

Speaker B: What were you doing?

Speaker C: Uh, I was a hostess before that, just to provide for myself. Not something I wanted to do in long term, but it was something that doesn't match my character a lot. So randomly. One day I was going to the gym, and right opposite from my gym there's a club. And I knew the owner. It was like 2 o' clock in the afternoon. Um, and my friend was passing by and he said to me, oh, we were doing a renovation. Do you want to check it out? And I had 20 minutes of my time. So I said, yeah, why not? I walked in and he said to me, do you want to come work here at night as a hostess? I said, there's no way. I'm not doing this. Um, and then I saw the CDJs and he was also a DJ. So I told him, if you want to give me some time, teach me how to do it. And whenever you think I'm ready, make me play. Like, let me play in the club.

Speaker B: So you had no experience, the DJ set?

Speaker C: Nothing. Nothing. Um, I just had, like, I really loved music. That was it.

Speaker B: How did you learn to play with the bottoms. So, ah, at first software or watch it on YouTube or just.

Speaker C: Oh, no, no, no. He showed me some things, like, basic stuff so I could just play in the club at first, I'm not gonna lie. It was. Do you mind using.

Speaker B: You are free to say whatever.

Speaker C: I didn't ask before. I didn't ask before.

Speaker B: It's just a rap podcast. Feel free to do whatever you want to do.

Speaker C: Yes. So I was really bad at it, but I would play with sync and, you know.

Speaker A: You know?

Speaker C: Yeah, but I think it's really important to know how to beat match and M. It's the most important thing. That's the basic thing. So I thought maybe I'll, um, take it more seriously. And then I started doing lessons and, um, I met some amazing people. And yeah, that's how I started.

Speaker B: All right, now let me actually. How did you start becoming a teacher?

Speaker D: That's a very long story, Ali. I don't think you want to go there.

Speaker B: Give it to us.

Speaker A: I'm sure it's interesting.

Speaker D: Um, you know, I was actually studying in Germany, and, uh, I was also trying to provide for myself. And I started as a DJ, um, passionately with 15. I think I saved, uh, a lot of money. And at that time was turntables. There was no CDJs, so I could buy one turntable and then one mixer. And it took me like six months to get the whole set. And then I started to play. I started just to play with a friend of mine, Roman. And yeah, uh, we start to play,

Speaker B: and then since we have only two microphones, I'm gonna steal this from you

Speaker D: and it's time, so.

Speaker B: And also back then, they were not, like, these days, like software, apps, whatever. Learn how to play, YouTube, whatever. Just watch and copy paste.

Speaker D: And, uh, no, it was like, do it by yourself. Yeah, it was really like, just go to events, watch DJs, see what they do. But the basics is like beat matching. And, you know, when you play with, uh.

Speaker B: Was it just a passion for music or you wanted, like, you, like, the fame?

Speaker D: There was no fame.

Speaker B: Be the leader of the party, you know, like.

Speaker D: No, I always was interested in music and, uh, technology in that sense.

Speaker B: Did you ever think to make money out of it or you didn't even thought of that?

Speaker D: No, I never thought of that. It was always, for me, a passion was. I mean, like, the first times that I got hired, I made money. Yeah. But, um, you know, and then after I did all my DJ stuff, I was playing, and then, um, I was pretty young and I Was studying. So one day I invited my dad to a gig of mine and then he came. And then, um, after he spoke to me was like, look, you have to focus on your studies, blah, blah. So I thought, yeah, he's right. And I stopped, I stopped. Cut. My 40th birthday, I was passing a store, uh, it was like a DJ equipment store. I looked at it, I was like, shit, should I do it again? Yes. So I went in there and got like, for myself, a equipment and set. And I started again, started again. And I was just playing for myself, doing remixes, uploading to Soundcloud, and, uh, then slowly the community grew. And at that time was in Dubai and it was before all this crazy hype party, you know, Dubai was still like, yeah. And then, uh, I got my first kick in Cancun, so I had to fly from Dubai to Cancun. And then from that point onwards, uh,

Speaker B: that's a big trip.

Speaker D: Yeah, it was a very big trip.

Speaker B: Before.

Speaker C: Before your first gig?

Speaker B: Oh,

Speaker D: I mean, I, I, I think my first gig came very fast. At that time was like after two, three months. Yeah, yeah, was my first gig. But it was like, you know, that time was like smaller communities.

Speaker C: Like, I think it was more difficult to, you know, be approached by people because there was no social media, nothing.

Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, social media helps a lot also. I think, like, also a lot of people, they use it for like, you

Speaker A: know,

Speaker D: I mean, it's, it's, it's what we have today. You know, this is, this is how you can show yourself, how you can like, get, um, you know, a little bit traction out there. Right? Um, however, I think, I think young artists like you, they should really focus also on learning how to produce music. Okay, this is like, because if you're a dj, you're doing one step and then if you want to go to the Champions League, you need to produce.

Speaker C: I think to be a good dj, you have to produce. And if you want to produce to make money as well, you need to be a dj. So it goes both ways.

Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, like, if you produce and you have like a good banger, uh, out there, um, automatically you get better conditions for your gigs and, you know, they book you worthwhile.

Speaker B: So. Question from a non DJ guy. So I've been always saying that, you know, I see all these parties and stuff like that, and then I see the OG times, you know, when it was just beginning, so the DJs were just making the sounds, you know, So I see the new DJs. All I'm saying, like Bro, what are they doing? It's just a USB stick. They put it in, it just autoplay. Anybody could do that. Am I right or not? That's what I see as a guy who is not a dj and, um, never played with the DJ and, um, not willing to. So I prefer to listen to the music and have fun. But. So what is it? I mean, all I see, they put the USB stick to the machine and it just plays all. What is it? Just controlling the vibe. See, like, what the crowd wants and play the next song. Because I don't see they actually do something like a remix and creating their own music. So am I right or not?

Speaker C: Um, I have very strong opinions on, um, how it used to be and how it is now. So everything in life, you know, since, like, technology came in, maybe it's different. And it used to be more difficult to be a dj. Now we have a lot of quantity rather than quality because of social media as well. But I'll talk about that later. I, um, think it's more important to know how to mix. Even though we just have a USB stick, we need to do a lot of research to find good music. Because everyone is playing the same, all

Speaker B: the music are the same, right?

Speaker D: I mean, generally, you have always, like, this summer, uh, like bangers, you know, everybody wants to hear. Right. So depending where you play, um, as a dj, you have to also get the people, you know, to go up. Right? So I think. I think it's. It's not just a USB stick. Ali, um, she's absolutely right. You have to put a lot of time in researching music. Right. So if you. If you. For example, for me, if I want to play a set of 3, 4 hours, I definitely listen at least 12 to 13 hours to music that I then filter, filter, filter, filter, breakdown, breakdown, breakdown. And then I have my set. Right? Yeah. So this is. If you plan yourself, otherwise, you have that too.

Speaker C: I do it.

Speaker B: Wow.

Speaker D: So that. That's the one thing then. Secondly, if you're a DJ and, um, you have responsibility.

Speaker B: Hold on. They're listening to the music and selecting. That should be the easy part. No, I mean, even you're taking shower, driving, doing something, or.

Speaker D: It's not like that.

Speaker B: Oh, okay.

Speaker D: I mean, like, um, yes, you're listening like this also casually. But when I listen, I listen, like, proper. I put my headsets on.

Speaker B: Oh, you're on the. On the set, actually.

Speaker D: And then on the set or on the laptop.

Speaker B: Okay, okay. Streams and kind of like actual work. Not.

Speaker D: No, it is, it is. Honestly, it is work. It is like that's why you have to have the passion for it, you know, you have to invest a lot of time in it. Right. And then there is also not always success. Right. There's like always up and down in that segment, I think. Um, but um, this is the one thing that takes a lot of time and then generally you're responsible for the party. So people come and they want to have a good time and you have to get them to that level. To get them to that level, you have to read the crowd. You cannot just come in and play whatever you want. You know, it's like you have a selection, you know what kind of music you want to play. Usually when you have a name, at a certain point people come for your music. Okay. But until that point you have to play the music that is played in that club.

Speaker A: Right?

Speaker D: People are coming for the club. So um, yeah. And then this is, this is a lot of work, all of this. And then you get the people to go with you and you want to have the emotions, you know, you want to have the people going crazy, you know, like.

Speaker B: So you are saying people like me who think that, oh, this DJ is not doing anything at ah, the party, just the usb, just playing same music I listened last night at Zuma or at uh, Scorpio or uh, at Meraki, whatever, you know. Um, so you are saying that's not how it looks actually in the background. Like the guy put so much time just on the laptop with the headset, listening, editing, selecting, basically select his music list for tonight and still also when the party going on, he has to read the vibe, get the vibe so he doesn't want to kill the party.

Speaker D: You know, like when you, I think it happened to you a lot of times when you're in a restaurant, you know, you had one or two drinks and then you hear the music and then slowly it goes like you start to move slowly.

Speaker B: Yeah.

Speaker D: You know, so that's the build up, that's what the DJ is doing.

Speaker C: So I think it's really important to build up an atmosphere when you're playing. Yeah. Uh, to build up a nice atmosphere because any guy that can beat match can just put a song after the other one.

Speaker A: One. Yeah, but that's my argue.

Speaker C: Yeah, but I bet, I bet you've been out a lot of times, seen a lot of DJs but sometimes it could have been different. The feeling that you had after you left and the music that you listen to. And um, some people try different stuff, some people do all the same. So I think it's really important to just fix a vibe for the people. It's not only just picking music.

Speaker B: And you know, let me, let me ask my question differently. Since most of the musics are the same, right?

Speaker D: I mean, I wouldn't agree with. There are some, there are some tracks, there are some hits, bangers that you have to play because everybody wants to be here.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Especially, you know, summertime locations like Mykonos. They're always this, the summer heats that wherever they are playing it and some other. So what's the difference? Why some DJs like, um, Rampa or, uh. And me who made you stuff like that. They like, go to the moon and becoming millionaires and fame and becoming the world citizen and everything is like, all doors open for them and free and other DJs like, same music, same style, nobody, no one even heard of them. And is it just pure marketing? Is it like. What do you think? Please, you go ahead.

Speaker D: Um, no, I don't think it's like. So the guys from KY Music, these are three individual DJs that are really successful and, um, successful producers. For a long time they didn't just like show up, you know, they worked really hard to get where they are. Um, yeah. So you, and then, and then, you know, you, you have people, of course, you have so many clubs in the world, you have so many restaurants. You need a lot of DJs, right? Is the same in football. You have the first league, the second, third, you know, it's the same thing.

Speaker A: So.

Speaker D: And then if you work hard and you go up, up, up, up, up, and then you become first. But here it's not about training, it's about producing. Uh, this is the only way as a dj, I think that, um, that you can become or go to these levels or. Now recently we see also a lot of beautiful, um, ladies, you know.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker D: Um, some of them very good. The other ones using. I'm sorry, but the other one using more their body and you know, like, um, it's more attraction on that rather than. Yeah, rather than playing. No, no, they also play, but they're, they're, they're, their focus is on their body. And I think this is also some, some venues are like this and it's,

Speaker C: some are booked because of being attractive rather than play. The point is if you're attractive and they book you as soon as you go, you have to deliver the right set. And if anything goes wrong to be able to solve a problem like meaning with the, uh, cables and everything that's the point. But even about, you know, kind of music. Yeah. They were in the back background a lot of years before we even knew who they were. And they were doing the wrong thing. And um, unfortunately to be. It's more about being viral now rather than talent. So if you become viral, you have to become commercial because this is what the people like. And um, because of social media, this is what the algorithm will pick. What is more viral and even like about, you know, labels and stuff. They used to pick talent, now they pick virality over talent. I know, yeah, yeah, I agree.

Speaker D: Look at your Instagram first.

Speaker C: Yes. It's first what you show and then what you do.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker D: At the end it's, it's a business. Right. So the, the, the venue owner, he wants to attract people. And um, if you are a person that attracts a lot of people, you had some good, uh, music production, you produce good music, and then it's of course for them easier to fill the place. So that's why the, and then the look also. And if you're a no name, they look, they look, oh, uh, how many followers that. And then ultimately in the, in the DJ business, like this, that DJs interconnectly help each other. So that means like, for example, I get booked in, I don't know, Turkey, for example.

Speaker A: Right.

Speaker D: I go play and then I have the DJ there to get a gig where I live, you know, so this is how it goes. And then this goes bigger and bigger,

Speaker B: you know, like, aren't you guys, uh, aren't you guys afraid of AI, like getting your places, uh, playing instead of you? Like, imagine AI DJ set, a robot like Tesla robot playing. And understand the wives better than any human can realize.

Speaker A: Every.

Speaker B: Everybody dance. Every, every people dancing. Like their body moves. Yeah. Their heartbeats, read their mind, everything, like killing it. What do you think?

Speaker D: I, I don't think. I think the human touch is very important for this. Right. I mean, like, look, a DJ speaks through his music. And the music that he's choosing, um, is based on his character, and his character is based on his life. And his life is like what, whatever experiences he had, you know, like all this combined and the creativity that he has in he's choosing music like this. I don't think you can give it to the machine right now, but I absolutely think that there will be definitely, like venues that um, they will have an AI computer that will play for them.

Speaker C: I think AI is kind of, it's a strong opinion, but it's ruining the industry because now I Think it cannot replace music. As soon as I hear a song, like with AI vocals and stuff like that, I can hear it as a dj. I don't know how the rest of the people work and if they can tell the difference, but I can tell the difference. And I also believe it's really important for music to have the human touch, as you said, because maybe in a few years it's better. Maybe in a few years it can even replace me as a DJ who was a producer. But I think right now it's just ruining everything.

Speaker D: It is helping people. I think also, you know, like, um, for example, um, producing music. Like there's so many websites now that help you with, you know, creating music. Uh, it's, it's, it is a, it is a help for those people that can produce because, you know, you can get a lot of ideas. That's a problem if producers, you know, they don't have ideas and that's it. And then it's not the right thing. It's not the right thing. And then they need to work. So you can get like the standard stuff that you need to do for a production. You get it done by AI and then you give your own touch to it. That helps you to produce much more and you know, to release much more.

Speaker C: No, I'm. Don't get me wrong, I'm full on M AI. But uh, when it comes to music, I think if you're not able to write and you just do it through that, there's no reason to do it. You know, um, even like Ghost Tracks, a lot of people are doing this. Some people, because have become really successful and they just don't have the time. Time to produce, which I get and I don't really, I don't disagree. But I think if you cannot do it yourself, there's no point of doing it.

Speaker B: Look, what's harder? What's harder? Getting good or getting noticed? Like, uh, becoming good in what you're doing? Like playing as a dj, music, let's say, if someone starts right now, is it hard? Like, what's harder? Like making the good music or. Actually, no, it's easy to. Making the good music. You have everything, libraries, whatever is actually getting noticed.

Speaker A: It's hard.

Speaker B: What do you think? Which one is hard?

Speaker C: I think both are hard. Like, but if you're, you know, working on your music and you started because you have a music touch or a music earth, um, I think that will work out anyways. But getting noticed because there's marketing, there's everything that is involved I think if you don't try to become viral as well, no one will notice you for your music. So I think the image is also a very important part of being a

Speaker A: DJ and producer Notice is harder or

Speaker B: um, getting the good music out there. Do you think there are many, many good DJs that unfortunately, because of maybe bad marketing or they were not lucky enough, they didn't get famous other than like great crazy tracks no one even heard of.

Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, you have a lot. Massively.

Speaker B: So you're saying getting notices, but might

Speaker D: be hard, I think, because like, uh, you know, like the taste you develop with music and then um, you know, the people, the people like it or, and, and then, you know, you go up the ladder. Um, however, this is in your, in your spectrum to do it right. You can go and spend time and learn and you know, be better and better. But um, getting noticed, that needs I think also a lot of vitamin B. You know, look, if you would go

Speaker B: back to your day one.

Speaker D: Yeah.

Speaker B: Uh, just start becoming the dj, right. What would you do? Friendly or what? Tell us a couple of mistakes you did in your journey that you think like, if I wouldn't do them, like, maybe I would even be more famous today or playing more great parties or uh, you know, what, what, what do you think? Like, can you, can you name three crazy mistakes you did in this journey?

Speaker D: Yes. First was that I started too late. That was the biggest mistake, I think.

Speaker B: Why did you start too late?

Speaker D: Yeah, no, I was, I was um, working, I was building up my career. You know, I was creating wealth. And uh, at some point I was like, okay to start it. I had then time to do it.

Speaker B: And you are, and you were already a father, you already had kids, right?

Speaker D: Yes. Yes.

Speaker B: Okay.

Speaker D: Yeah.

Speaker A: Mhm.

Speaker B: So that's mistake number one. Two more. If there are any.

Speaker D: I mean, definitely there are mistakes. But if you say like, would you do it the same way or not? I had, uh, I had an amazing journey. I mean I had so many beautiful experiences.

Speaker B: No, no, you played in like great events. You played in some of the hottest events and you, uh, know parties around. There were some of the most exotic locations, you know, like Scorpios, Mykonos. You played Cancun. Uh, you played, uh, from Dubai to here and there. I mean, yeah, I mean I've been in some of the parties, so we really had a great time. I can't tell that. So I'm a big fan of your music. One thing I like about you that I've been saying to everyone, when he goes behind the set. It's. He gives. I mean, he's. The way he moves. He moved. The. Maybe the way he danced, the way he. I can tell, uh, he play for himself. As, As a guy. No, really, as a guy, as a fan, I could tell he doesn't. Look, don't get me wrong, of course he cares about the crowd. Uh, but he loves it so much. He enjoys it so much that he just like having fun dancing with his own music. And he knows if he likes it, if he enjoys, if he dance. Those people that also, they are his type. Coming for his music, obviously, they're gonna have. So that's one of the things that I notice in you, that you're doing it, like, amazingly, and I really love it. Like, when you go behind the dj, you're kind of like, yes. You know, like, uh, okay.

Speaker C: But you have to bring the vibe to the people as well, so it's really important to have that. So if he was, like, with his eyes locked on CDJs, uh, would you have had the same. Like, he wouldn't give you the vibe to also, like, have a nice time. So it's really important to, when you do it, enjoy it.

Speaker B: You know, actually, one big question that we should. I should have asked this, like, at, uh, the beginning of the podcast. What kind of music do you play?

Speaker C: I play classic house. Um, I play tech house and disco house. Disco house is quite good right now.

Speaker D: Yeah, you should focus on that.

Speaker B: Yes, this is actually one of my questions because when I was sitting up, I was hearing you guys were talking and you were like, I'm highly suggesting you to go to disco. Could you elaborate on that, please? And why this coming? Just the wife. You see what's coming? Because I'm actually in the past. I don't know why. What happened? You know, I used to listen. Listen to RMB and hip hop. You know that, right? And then you made me to switch to house and take no and what, whatever, and your type, so.

Speaker C: And then the biggest blessing of your life.

Speaker B: Yeah. And then. And then I love you, actually. And then, um, lately, like the past one year or maybe. No, the past two years. Yeah, the past two, two and a half years. When I'm working at the office, I have my. If you see my, uh, my playlist on Spotify, it's just disco, you know, like fresh and stuff like that. You know, um, daddy cool, things like that. What happened? Is it like, sometimes I'm like, are we programmed? Like it was by the. By the governments, like at the, like, 2025th you all start loving disco again or is it just us going back to the old fashioned? What's going on? Like why do you think this is happening?

Speaker D: I uh, think that um, that disco music generally is. Is a very positive. Has a very positive vibe and very energetic, uh, is a very energetic music without being really digital. Right. So um, there are instruments used. I mean they are used everywhere. But real instruments, not only computer and uh, programs.

Speaker B: Is it also us human that we always like to go back to the old fashioned clothes, hairstyle.

Speaker D: You see like everybody now we are back. We are back in the 70s I would say right now as of fashion. And uh, the music is also catching up as I, I see more and more events that are more focusing uh, on disco and I see more and more tracks coming out and being released that are the disco type. I'm not saying it's going to be only disco, but it's going to be a mix between disco and house. Maybe house disco or.

Speaker C: I think music has a cycle. Like every now and then it's a commercial, then you go to different genres and house and then Afro house. Like two years ago we had Afro house. It came so strong, especially in Mykonos. Yeah. Uh, but now I think it's close. Yeah, Yeah, I think it's. I think it's switching up a bit. I think. Yeah, people are getting a little bit bored of two like commercial Afro house.

Speaker B: So hold on, hold on. With what you guys are saying and with uh, you know, we are going back to the old fashion and disco. I mean. Yeah, yeah. So do you think five years from now places like Scorpio Alamago would be dead or just switching their music vibes and putting the like Scorpio would put the disco ball in the middle of the thing and uh, you would see people with, you know, with the curly, curly big long hair, you know, on

Speaker D: their head and um, you uh, see the curly long hair already now

Speaker C: I think they just catch up with the vibe. So before Afro house was so big, they were playing house and you know, they switched up. I think it'll be every year something a little bit different. But it's a smooth like transition, transition to other genres. So I think.

Speaker D: No. But also venues to have their own signature.

Speaker A: Right.

Speaker D: So um, Scorpios is uh, has become uh, like a number one beach club worldwide. I would, I would suggest.

Speaker B: It's crazy what these guys did.

Speaker D: Yeah, uh, crazy. And we were the first day there.

Speaker B: Yeah, I mean we were one of the first guys, first day being there, getting to Know the founders, Mario and Thomas and their great lovely team. But it's crazy, man. I mean what they did, what I always say to everyone, they created their whole, a new religion in the industry. You know, people, I mean there are people that, let's say they say I believe in Jesus or uh, you know, Buddha or God or energy. And there are people that know, they say like I believe in Scorpios, you know, and when they go there, it's like they are going to the temples to pray to, to see the God, you know, it's crazy. Like everywhere you see, you go around the world like I was, you know, in the film festival can Formula one here, there, blah, blah, blah. When you talk to these party people, when you say like I live in Greece, I'm living in Mykonos during summer, first thing you hear Scorpio's best place on the planet.

Speaker D: Like what I, I think, I think it's because of the experience.

Speaker C: Yeah.

Speaker D: So this guy created nothing venue to, to go and party, you know, just going there, drink or whatever. They created an experience and that's why they're so successful. And people have very good time there because of that experience. And that's why whenever you talk to them, say Mykonos, uh, the associates Scorpios and the good vibes that they had there, the good experience that they had there. And of course it's going to be positive. Right. So uh, the formula works, but it's important to do the experience.

Speaker B: Do you think, do you think one of their key metrics to yourself? Because look, there are many great places, uh, you know, coming to the industry, opening up, you see new designs, new whatever. It's phenomenal. But do you think one of the, the main thing it was that uh, soho acquired them? Maybe if soho would never acquire them. This because it's really hard to say for the 15, 10, 15 years on top and you know, the quality, everything, you know, it's really hard. There are many places after one, two years they go down, they have to do rebranding, they lose the wife, they lose their crowd, they lose their whatever. Do you think that was one of the metrics or you think? No, even without SoHo, they would be what they are today.

Speaker D: I think they would be even stronger without.

Speaker B: So no way.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Really?

Speaker D: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because um, you know, I mean like Mario and Thomas created all this and they're also, they're steering the whole thing. I mean they're still on board and they do all the decisions. Um, I think for the expansion wise they did one or two mistakes. You know, we saw now in both room they had to close. And, um, Mexico, it's like, I think they're trying to build this for six, seven years. Obviously there are problems locally. You know, it's different countries and you have, uh, different, um, politics coming into consideration. And also, like, the expansion that they are going. Also Dubai now, um, was, was one of the. I think they're still going to open it. Uh, also we have no, like, this situation in the Middle east. But, um, I would suggest it would have been more successful.

Speaker B: Okay.

Speaker D: Because they would also make the money. I mean, like, look, it's, it's not. After soho came in, now they're making, you know, like, what did SoHo do? I mean, basically SoHo brought more, more investment and brought more capital, but that capital was. I don't think it was needed that much that level, you know.

Speaker C: When did soho come in?

Speaker D: I think it was like six, six years, seven years back.

Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. Now let's go back to the main topic or. Mary, one question. What is your main dream out of all this? What do you want to be? You want to be the biggest DJ is like the number one hit on Spotify, Apple and all that. You want to be the richest female, uh, DJ on the planet? Like, what is, what do you have to achieve to be like, this is it, I did it. And now I'm gonna just go, like, enjoy my life. Or are you gonna continue this till your last, uh, breeze? Or what are you going to do?

Speaker C: Well, of course I want to be a great producer, first of all, then a dj, but I've never thought of where it would take me, so I'm just going with the flow, with the journey. And hopefully, yes, money is important too,

Speaker B: but are you making any good money right now?

Speaker C: Yes, it's. It's okay. But I think it can be much better.

Speaker B: Is it hard DJing, or is it a easy, happy life? Just with your backpack, with your headsets, going around with your laptop, sitting at the Starbucks, listening here, there, party, chilling with friends. Or is it a hard life that you would be like, I wish I would never do this. If I would become a, uh, food influencer, just testing or traveling, going to the hotels, posting on my social media, I would have made more money and easier life and enjoy my life more?

Speaker C: I think it's so joyful for me especially, I think it's so joyful that as soon as I. Because before doing it, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I tried a few things and nothing would Give me this joy. Like, I go to work to play or to an event, and it doesn't feel like work. So that's really important for me. Like, I think after finding this, I don't know if I had never found it, what I would be doing right now.

Speaker B: During your journey, it never hits you like, hey, I could have done this. I could have done. I could be an influencer. I could, uh, well, I don't know, go to the restaurants and taste foods.

Speaker C: And, um, I did try some modeling at some point, but it didn't. It didn't bring the feeling that music is bringing to me, like, even when I'm playing. The adrenaline that you have playing for many people and the stress you go through to create a great set. And as soon as. Because m. One of the most important things is when you're playing, you have to, like, look around. Are they having fun? Are they enjoying it? As soon as you see that, it's like an accomplishment.

Speaker B: When you guys played for the first time in your life, were you stressed out? Were you stressed out? Yeah.

Speaker C: Really?

Speaker D: Oh, yeah.

Speaker C: Do you want to go first? So the first time I played, um, I was so stressed. This is raw. So I'm just gonna go out and say it. Uh, I puked 10 minutes before I played. Yes. I was in the club. I said, oh, my God. Oh, my God. How am I gonna. I don't know how to play. I'm not ready. I'm not ready. I said, no, you just do it. And then there were inner thoughts, and I. At some point, I was feeling, like, kind of dizzy. I said, oh, I need to go to the bathroom. I puked. I drank some water. I wiped myself up, and I just went there. I said it. Just do it.

Speaker B: And how many people were, uh, approximately, uh, in the party?

Speaker C: Uh, 200. I was good for the first time.

Speaker D: Yeah. Very good.

Speaker B: What about you?

Speaker C: I really want to know. I really want to know.

Speaker B: Can you hold it closer?

Speaker D: Yeah, definitely. I mean, like, when you want to choose the track, you would. Like this. Um, I think, um, the first time I was. I was playing Cancun. That was my first big gig. It was.

Speaker B: Wow.

Speaker D: Yeah. It was 600 people.

Speaker B: Wow.

Speaker D: And, um, it was my first time playing with CDJs. So, you know, there is a club set up that all the clubs have one, and, uh, you have to have, uh. You have to know how to work with this equipment. But it's a standard. Like, there are CDJs in every club usually, and everybody knows how to use them. But for me, it was the first time playing, uh, an official club. So that was not really, really 100% okay with the CDJ. So um, I did a big mistake.

Speaker C: Like what?

Speaker D: Like I didn't have my, my tracks analyzed by record box. So I just put MB3 tracks on the USB. I was playing that. It was not analyzed. So it was really tough.

Speaker B: Were you very. Ever had like a big incident like the cable cut off or music went off suddenly people are like booing at the party?

Speaker D: No, actually.

Speaker C: Okay, yeah, I once did.

Speaker B: How did it happen and why?

Speaker C: So in the beginning when I was playing, uh, I decided to stay in the city where I started also. I have a question for him later. So when I was there I decided to stay in the city and it was so hot and we had an event and in the event there was only like they could fit like 300 people. There was only one fan, it wasn't open, like ah, how'd you call it? And um, a terrace. Yeah. And um, they had one fan and it was so hot and they covered the fan with a huge balloon. So there was no fan. I got so hot I almost fainted. So I pressed. I, I was trying to like do something so the music wouldn't stop because I, I knew I was about to faint or drop dead. So I pressed play while the track was playing and the music didn't close. But you know when it goes like, like this, um, and as soon as that happened, I was. You get more stressed and you sometimes if you're really stressful, you don't know how to like, what to do next. Yeah, how to fix the situation. So the other DJ that was playing with me, she, she came straight to me and said, don't worry, don't worry, just sit down. Yeah, but that was, I think so

Speaker B: let's say as uh, someone, a young person just like you guys, let's say it's like 18 years old. Today is his day one, uh, 16, 17, whatever. He just want to start becoming a DJ. He loves it, he loves music. The passion, the money, the fame, all that. First question, is the set matter or uh, no, hey, just get the cheap one, start learning or no, go for the best, uh, high tech set quality, like the most expensive pioneer and stuff like that. Is the set matter or not at all? You could be like, hey, just download the free software on your laptop and learn it.

Speaker C: No, it matters a lot for me. I think if you, in the beginning they told me just, I'm sure there

Speaker B: are great softwares right now, that there

Speaker C: uh, are many download apps but as you said, like before, when you see DJs and just put their stick in and so simple. I think you have to go through the whole experience to know how to do it before you do it. So many people have asked me because I'm a dj. Uh, oh, I want to do it too. I really like it. So should I get equipment? I say to them, because you have to invest money into doing it. Uh, try someone out with someone else's equipment first and then buy your own. If you're sure you want to do it, get your own. But you need to invest quite a lot.

Speaker B: How much is it decent set for? Uh, someone who just want to start. And how much is the set, let's say of the biggest DJs on the planet, like K music and stuff like that?

Speaker C: Uh, I mean, you can buy like

Speaker B: with, with let's say a couple of thousands. 1, 7 5, 700 to buy. We just want to start today.

Speaker C: I think the budget is from 1000 to Depends.

Speaker D: I mean, depends if you want to have a controller. Yeah, so there are, there are controllers that started €300. I mean, you can start as a hobby, you know, you can start. No, no, they're there. Yeah, yeah, they're connected to your laptop. It's connected to software and basically is a controller. So basically you physically control the software in the laptop.

Speaker A: Right.

Speaker D: Um, I think you can start with that and you know, see if this is, uh, your passion and if you like it and then you can build up. And if you build up, I mean, like regular CDJ set with a good V10 mixer. All this is, uh, Alpha Theta X Pioneer DJ. Um, this is around, let's say 15 to 20, €000. Okay. Then you have a full setup, six channel mixer, proper one. And that's also the setup we find in the clubs. Okay. And then some have more CDJS and some have also turntables. So there is no limit to the other.

Speaker B: All right, so let's say.

Speaker C: Please no. Um, so my first controller because I only learned I never knew the laptop, how to use it and stuff. I don't know what the difference is. Um, I started with a USB stick, so I would go through record books, put my tracks in and then use it with a control.

Speaker B: So we were talking about the security for the parties that, uh, you both agreed absolutely need security. But what that means, I mean a young guy, he has, let's say, some good, uh, young DJs. They have their own crowd, they want to rent a place and they start selling tickets online. And they want to make money out of it. So do they need to, um, find the few club owners in their hood and be like, hey, we want to do this, let's do it together. And uh, so you can also, you know, nobody going to cut the cable or, uh, just go find some big bodyguards, pay them per hour, hey, come around the place, secure me, and nobody can screw our parties. How does it work?

Speaker D: No, I don't think, I don't think you need security. I think you're. Look, this is this big parties and competition with the clubs. Uh, you never get to that level if you are, uh, let's say like a hobby party organizer.

Speaker A: Right.

Speaker D: And if you want to do something proper, you need also some proper space. So basically you would go and cooperate with the clubs. And that's how a promoter works, Right? So, um, you would go to the club and tell them like, you know, I want to do this party on this day. Then you come to some sort of deal with them and then, yeah, you have the place. Mhm. And no, no problems.

Speaker B: Okay, last questions for both of you. All right, same question. But I want you to go one by one. Basically it's about your advice to those who want to follow your path becoming a dj. All right, we were actually talking about that if you guys got ever drunk on the set and you screwed up thing that both of you said. Yes. Okay. So that's not a suggestion you would do to the young DJs, like to get drunk, but you need to, I mean, you need to get drugged. I was actually drunk.

Speaker D: Yeah. Some of you put some MDMA in my drink.

Speaker B: Wow. Jesus.

Speaker D: No, honestly. Honestly, yes. They brought me a drink. You know, MDA is the worst thing if you.

Speaker A: Right.

Speaker D: So that I think it was way too much what they put in and I really didn't know. So I was taking zip by zip. And then at some point, uh, you know,

Speaker B: I mean, you can do. Can you play without having a couple of maybe drinks or beers or something at least just to get the vibe with the people.

Speaker C: I started drinking.

Speaker B: But I have seen great DJ sober. Like, you know the Greek, the famous one, Chili Christos, he's always sober. He never drinks in his life.

Speaker D: He's also a very good close friend, a, uh, uh, free spirit, which is the, uh, resident of Cavo Paradiso is also always sober. He never drinks.

Speaker C: I think the more comfortable you are with what you're doing, the less you need to drink. Because for me, in the beginning I would drink one or two drinks because I would be so stressed, um, because everyone is looking at you, so you need to be more relaxed to play. Well. Ah, I think now sometimes I don't drink. Like, even now I'm playing evenings, I don't have to drink to play. Um, but I think when I got drunk, the time I got drunk, I got so unsure if I would. The beat matching was right. I was like, are my ears working right? I thought, no, not for me. I need to be concentrated to what I do.

Speaker B: All right, guys, thank you so much. It was really interesting. It was interesting topic.

Speaker D: Thank you so much.

Speaker B: I'm sure there are people out there, you know, um, they want to become a dj, they want to be successful in their path, and, um, they're gonna listen to this and learn. It was actually really interesting because we had a great match. We had a young female dj and we had a sexy experience

Speaker A: dj.

Speaker B: I think I nailed it on that one. Okay, so it was really nice, guys. Thank you for. Thank you for your time. And, um, actually, it went too much long and just questions coming after questions, you know, so we do this raw. So I'm pretty sure, uh, we're going to do this again sometimes in the future. I appreciate it and, uh, enjoy your time in Myconas. Thank you. Thank you.