When we think of DJ’s the image of partying to electronic music shoots to mind.
And quite often it’s hard to imagine a DJ in any other context than mixing at a club or dropping bangers at a music festival.
Let’s go one step further and picture an artist like Basto – a man who has thousands fist pumping at festivals like Ultra Sonic, Laundry Day and Summer Festival serenely sitting at a classical piano.
Is it hard to visualise?
This is #DJDIARYENTRY/14
When you have an understanding of a few of Jef Marten’s (aka Basto) greatest inspirations in terms of music then it becomes a bit more believable that he has classical routes.
He lists dead composers like Claude Debussy, Miles Davis, and Johann Sebastian Bach as inspirations.
Even Basto wittingly ends his list with “Ain’t that a jolly bunch?”
Oh, and if you don’t know who they are. Don’t worry; they’re so old that their pictures are black and white, except Johann Sebastian Bach he’s so gone that he posed for an oil painting portrait.
Moving onto a different key of inspirations, Basto describes how his hit “Greogory’s Theme” came to life. And it’s all thanks to the TV series House.
“Gregory’s Theme started out as a homage to Dr Gregory House, played by Hugh Laurie on the hit series House M.D,” Basto smiles.
“The theme has the same atmosphere as the American Beauty-esque music you hear when House has one of his contemplative moments.”
But let’s move closer to home and talk studio time.
“I just co-wrote and co-produced two songs on the album of Tessanne Chin, winner of The Voice USA. I’m also working with Natasha Bedingfield, Australia’s one and only Amba Shepherd and a few others that I keep under the wraps for now,” Basto hints.
Basto isn’t quite sure if he’s experience his standout moment in his career yet, saying it’s “probably somewhere in the future.”
“Although contributing to the worldwide number one ‘Scream and Shout’ by Will.I.Am and Britney Spears as a co-writer and a producer probably counts as standout moment,” Basto finishes.
After watching the Official Video for "Gregory's Theme" and knowing some of Basto's inspirations, I bring you back to the opening question 'Is it hard to visualise?'
Nah.
#DJDIARY Questions
When will we be seeing you in Australia?
Basto: I honestly don’t know, and I honestly hope very soon.