It’s hard to choose what music genre you like best; deep house, progressive house, trance, techno, EDM, electro and the list goes on.
And it makes you wonder, how do DJs and producers make that decision? How do they choose what type of sound and genre they will stick to?
This is the exact obstacle that DJ and Producer, Dioni Gelabert, otherwise known as Gelab had to overcome – a journey of musical exploration to find what style he felt most comfortable in.
This is #DJDIARYENTRY/SEVEN
The Spanish born has been intrigued by the world of music since a youngster.
Now 24, he reflects back on the first sound system he bought as a toy.
“I had an amazing lot of fun practicing on it every day…but when I think about it now, I realise it was just a toy,” Gelab says.
He was 15-years-old when he started playing on that sound system, a “toy” that would ignite his passion for DJing and eventually production on a professional scale.
But it wasn’t until last year that Gelab was born.
“In 2013, after several years of musical exploration, looking for a style in which I could feel really comfortable, Gelab was born…I made a final decision towards EDM,” Gelab describes.
Gelab says he eventually chose EDM because of the effect it has on people.
“You can see guys and girls of any age enjoying it… I think it is an all-ages style and I really appreciate that,” Gelab says. “What I genuinely love is people enjoying my music, and I think EDM is perfect for this.”
Since making this decision, Gelab has gained an impressive following of fans. And is already traveling across Europe for gigs.
His latest appearance was at Ultra Europe in Croatia last week. But he is also a Space regular, and can often be found DJing at Space Menorca, in Spain, Space Moscow or at the world’s number one club, Space Ibiza.
And yes, that’s kinda a big deal.
“When I was a child it was a dream to play in Space Ibiza and I’m so glad I’ve finally had the chance,” Gelab beams. “I’m enjoying it as much as I can.”
Gelab describes Space Ibiza as perfect and its sound system, well, it’s “amazing."
“I can’t say which room in Space Ibiza is better, each one has its own personality. There’s also this essence, this contagious ‘je-ne-sais-quoi’ made throughout the years which both the crowd and the artists share,” Gelab describes. “It turns the club into an absolutely unique place.”
He’s also got an album in the mix titled “Zero” but it’s still hush hush.Gelab hints that we will be seeing something soon though, “I’m putting the finishing touches [to it].”
And on that note, I’ll put the final touch to this #DJDIARYENTRY with this closing quote:
“People organise their holidays to Ibiza with clubbing as the main course. In other places, going to clubs is just complementary, they may go on holiday to Miami, Mykonos or Croatia and they just party one day,” Gelab says.
“Ibiza is different, I know it may sound cheesy, but I like to call it the Disneyland of music.”
#DJDIARY/QUESTION
Q: If you could choose a producer to work with who would it be?
A: I really admire guys like Calvin Harris, Steve Angello or Axwell. I love their music, it would be an honour for me to work with them.