The NYDJAY by New Yorker 2017 finalists have been announced
These are the DJs set to battle it out in Vienna
Following incredible NYDJAY events in some of Europe's hottest clubs, it is time for the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER Grand Finale, which takes place at Gasometer in Vienna on 25th March. So, its time to meet the DJs who will be competing for the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER crown!
LOUD SEDUCTION
Michel Volz is a 31 year old DJ from Hanover, Germany who won the NYDJAY event at Bootshaus in Cologne.
Tell us about your experience in the competition so far...
“My experiences have been great so far. At first, the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER mixtape-competition on Mixcloud was very tough, because you had to increase attention on your mix, but after a few weeks promotion by myself, I got lots of good feedback and praise for my mix and my style of DJing. I am so glad that I entered the live competition and won the German NYDJAY club event. This was one of the greatest moments of my life.”
How did you find the NYDJAY club event?
“The NYDJAY Club-Event in the Bootshaus, Cologne was very special for me, because it was a big dream of mine to play at this special club. I enjoyed every single second of the event: Playing my set, the dancing crowd, giving interviews and all the other different kinds of impressions. However, the best part of it was of course being the winner! Overall, the entire event was very well organized and I felt very happy to be there.”
What did you do to stand out from the competition?
“I just played self-produced massive, creative and unique edits, mash-ups and songs from genres that I like, including bass house, electro house, trap, and dubstep This defines my unique Loud Seduction style - along with my skills in beatmatching and scratching. I used to be a hip hop DJ so I think I deliver the whole package of great DJ, performer and producer.”
What is your strategy for the final event?
"My intention is to create unpredictable moments and a matchless performance for the party crowd and the NYDJAY jury with my DJ skills, my edits, remixes and songs that I will produce especially for the finale. Stay tuned!”
What would it mean to you if you were to be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion of 2017?
“I do not only live the music, the music is my life. It's my love, passion and I worked very hard and tirelessly the past years to be successful as a producer and DJ. Winning the big final would be the greatest moment of my life, because this is my biggest dream. I would never forget this moment. With NYDJAY by NEW YORKER, I have the opportunity to live my dream.”
MISTER ZEUS
Julen Fernandez is a 28 year old DJ from Barcelona in Spain who won the NYDJAY event at VIP ROOM in Paris.
Tell us a bit about yourself...
"Although currently I live in Barcelona, I am from a small town next to San Sebastian, in the very north of Spain (Hernani). I started DJing about 5 years ago, it was a hobby, a way to have fun with what I like the most, which is music. But that hobby has been evolving and in the last year has become the engine of my professional life. My main styles are electro, progressive and future house. Although I also like any style derived from house, even trance.”
Tell us about your experience in the competition so far. How does it feel to have made it through to the final?
“My experience in the NYDJAY contest has been very enriching. It contributes a lot to these situations, where you have to give your best and this helps in personal and professional growth. In addition, all the people that I have met – whether they are from the organizing team, jury or participants – have been very close and pleasant at all times, and that is appreciated when you are in a place where you do not know anyone.”
How was the NYDJAY club event?
“The NYDJAY club event was incredible. I was surprised by the exquisite taste of the club and how well organized it was. They really made us feel very comfortable and welcome.”
What did you do to stand out from the competition?
“I believe that each participant had a different style and each on its own stood out from the others, but in the end the important thing is that everyone enjoyed the night.”
What is your strategy for the final event?
“My strategy for the great finale is to continue with what has led me to it. That is, to be faithful to my style and my taste and from there to give everything in my set to make the public vibrate and to convince the jury.”
What would it mean to you if you were to be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion of 2017?
“Winning the NYDJAY finale would be a dream come true which I would have never imagined, and undoubtedly it would give a great boost to my career as a DJ. Music is my life and I work every day to be able to make my contribution to it, that has given me so much.”
HAMQUSH
Hampus Svensson is a 29 year old DJ from Halmstad, Sweden who the NYDJAY event at Collosseum, Stockholm.
Tell us a bit about yourself...
“I started as a so-called bedroom DJ back in 2011/2012 and started to play at clubs and different events in 2014. My way of mixing music may vary; one second it is house, then I might jump to moombahton, then back to house, then maybe drum & bass, trap, dubstep, tech-house, techno or even trance. It all depends on what I feel – and above all – what I think sounds good. To play the same genre for hours is not my thing, I like to mix different musical styles.”
How was the NYDJAY club event?
“To have won the NYDJAY contest in Stockholm is unreal, as my whole strategy for that day was to have fun, meet new people and make new friends. And I did that.”
What did you do to stand out from the competition?
“I was not prepared to win the NYDJAY contest in Stockholm at all. Playing at Colosseum nightclub was a blast. The crowd was awesome! A memory I will carry with me! I think I stood out of the other NYDJAY contestants, because I didn't think of it as a competition and when I played, I showed through body language what Music means to me.”
What is your strategy for the final event?
“My tactic for the finale is to take it as it will be - as long as I have fun.”
What would it mean to you if you were to be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion of 2017?
“Winning NYDJAY by NEW YORKER would mean that I will work with my hobby and that would be magnificent. Who would not want that?”
YAMINA
Viktória Illes is a 25 year old DJ from Győr, Hungary won the NYDJAY event at Akvárium Klub, Budapest.
Tell us about yourself...
“I began my DJ career about 3 years ago. It helped me a lot that I was a resident in one of the biggest clubs in Hungary since the beginning. When it comes to my music style, I like to introduce myself as an electro/electro house DJ. This is where I can be my true self.”
How was the NYDJAY club event?
“Being selected for the NYDJAY event in Budapest was a fantastic experience. Although I broke my leg the week before, I went to the competition thinking “Who cares?”, I'm here. It made things a little bit harder, but I think I brought out my best there. The fancy lights and the amazing NYDJAY stage made me forget that I was a bit scared and nervous.”
What did you do to stand out from the competition?
“I tried my best to be the original one and only Yamina. I think my set reflected it pretty well. It became a powerful, energetic mix.”
What is your strategy for the final event?
“When I go to the NYDJAY finale, I think I'm going to follow my one rule - “Be yourself!”
What would it mean to you if you were to be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion of 2017?
“If I could win the grand finale, I think finally could tell myself: ‘Yamina, you became a competent, cool DJ girl!’”
KONKU
Kevin Salzmann is a 25 year old from Raron, Switzerland who won the NYDJAY event at Komplex 457 in Zurich.
Tell us about yourself...
“My name is Konku and I am from Switzerland. I have been DJing for the last 5 years, spinning mainly Melbourne bounce and electro house.”
Tell us about your experience in the competition so far. How does it feel to have made it through to the final?
“It is absolutely unbelievable! I did not expect to even make it to the semi-final of NYDJAY and now I am in the finale - which is crazy!”
How was the NYDJAY club event?
“I was very relaxed at the NYDJAY club event and I just enjoyed the moment. The evening was fun and I have met many interesting people.”
What did you do to stand out from the competition?
“I simply did not prepare a set as the others did, they had a plan what they want to play and I just came on stage and decided there what to play. So I decided to take out a little bit energy and play more music the people know and can sing/dance to and it worked!”
What is your strategy for the final event?
“I will not change my strategy for the NYDJAY finale! I will be spontaneous and play what I feel at that moment. You cannot decide now what you will play at that very special moment, because who knows what the location is like or how many people are there or whatever? Being spontaneous gives you much more freedom, you can go more relaxed on stage and can enjoy it even more!”
What would it mean to you if you were to be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion of 2017?
“That is something I do not even dare dreaming of! It would be a big push for everybody to win the grand NYDJAY finale!”
MOSE N
Moise Nicolae Victor is 29 year old DJ from Brasov, Romania, who won the NYDJAY contest at Aquarius Klub in Zagreb.
Tell us about yourself...
“Hi, my name is Moise Nicolae Victor (Mose N) from Brasov, Romania. I started my career as a DJ back in 2005 on some good old fashioned Pioneer CDJ-100s. I listen to a variety of music genres, but as a DJ I play a combination of house sub-genres, like jackin-house, deep-house and tech-house, punching the crowd with some good and positive vibes.”
Tell us about your experience in the competition so far. How does it feel to have made it through to the final?
“To be honest, I didn't expect to get this far in the NYDJAY competition and after winning the semifinal in Zagreb, I was truly surprised. I might say it was one of the best nights of my life.”
How was the NYDJAY club event?
“It was a nice, relaxing trip to Zagreb. I felt full of energy playing my set on the NYDJAY stage. Probably it helped me a lot to prepare for the final round of the competition.”
What is your strategy for the final event?
“I have no special strategy in my mind. I think the most important thing is to be myself on stage, to have a good time and definitely make the crowd feel good with the music that I will be playing.”
What would it mean to you if you were to be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion of 2017?
“For me this would be a dream coming true and a strong sign that I was wrong, when I’ve kind of abandoned a dream of mine when I was younger.”
SILVA
Tell us about yourself...
"Hi my name is Silva. I'm from Vienna and have been DJ’ing for 12 Years. My favorite styles are Progressive House, Electro House, Future House and Deep House."
Tell us about your experience in the competition so far. How does it feel to have made it through to the final?
"I had a lot of fun mixing my set for this competition. It was great to see my set's popularity growing and how many people liked it. And now - I'm one of the finalists. I can't believe it. It's such a great feeling."
Tell us about your experience as a DJ. Have you ever played in a venue as big a Gasometer?
"In my past 12 years as a DJ, I really have experienced great nights with amazing crowds. Until now the biggest location I've ever played was a boat party. Now I'm playing in one of Vienna's arenas. That's amazing!"
What is your strategy for the final event?
"My strategy for the NYDJAY final event? Just win the event in my hometown!"
What would it mean to you if you were to be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion of 2017?
"To win the NYDJAY by New Yorker competition would be amazing for me. It's my biggest dream to travel through Europe or across the world and bring the people together with one word: Music."
VALENSO
Tell us about yourself...
"Greet you from Moscow! My name is Valentin aka Valenso. For as long as I can remember, I've always loved EDM music. Last summer vacation on Ibiza pushed me to start practice on local stops and record my own EDM podcast. I prefer mix house, electro house and trap music."
Tell us about your experience in the competition so far. How does it feel to have made it through to the final?
"I feel so excited and firstly I can't understand, that my dream comes true."
Tell us about your experience as a DJ. Have you ever played in a venue as big a Gasometer?
"No, I did not have huge experience in club performing, but I cross my fingers."
What is your strategy for the final event?
"No mistakes, firstly. No mistakes on mixing tracks. Secondly, stay positive and share it with people in the club!"
What would it mean to you if you were to be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion of 2017?
"If I will be the NYDJAY by NEW YORKER champion, it would mean a lot to me. First prize is fantastic! I would take a part of DJ’ing around the world. It is my biggest lifetime dream."