DJ Javan behind the decks, doing what he loves. (0590465)
DJ Javan has been amusing the people of Guernsey with his dirty beats and flirtatious sets for almost 10 years.
Always popular with the audience, he has a crowd-pleasing knack for throwing out tracks the people want to hear and helping maintain a consistently good local scene.
Here he tells us of his experiences over the past nine years.
‘After many summers spent in the European club capital of Ibiza in the mid/late 90s, I found myself with a real passion for dance music,’ explained Javan.
‘I soon developed a strong desire to get involved in DJing. There was already a good dance scene in Guernsey and it was Miguel, the manager of the Golden Monkey at that time, who offered me a break with an afternoon slot on Liberation Day in 1999 - it went so well that I was invited back to play that same night. A regular gig was secured and I have never looked back.’
Originally Javan was purely a house DJ, but now he is known just as well for heavy and dirty sets of breaks and electro.
‘I consider myself quite versatile,’ he said
‘I’m equally equipped to play in the most underground clubs as I am in a swanky cocktail bar.’
Over the past nine years he has played at virtually every club and music venue in the island, as well as a number of venues in Jersey, London and Thailand.
He currently has long-standing residencies at both Laska and Baloos.
‘At the end of 2007, I had the opportunity of two weeks’-worth of gigs in Koh Samui, Thailand,’ he said.
‘After the first night in Club Fusion (one of my all time favourite sets), I was offered a residency at the club for the season. Unfortunately due to work commitments back home, it was not possible.
‘It wasn’t a difficult decision to make, as I enjoy the balance I have between music and my chosen career in finance - it takes the pressure off earning a living from it and I can keep it on my own terms.’
Recently, Javan turned his hand to promoting by bringing over the famous DJ Lottie to the island.
‘That all came about from a bet by a friend after we watched her play a fantastic set at Space in Ibiza the previous summer,’ explained the DJ.
‘I regard Lottie as one of my DJ icons, so I didn’t need much incentive to bring her over. I have lots of respect for the people in Guernsey who organise and promote nights on a regular basis - sometimes it’s a thankless task.’
The DJ is also on The Vale Earth Fair committee and has played there for the last five consecutive years.
‘It makes me proud that Guernsey can stage such a fantastic and unique event, which is organised totally by volunteers for the benefit of humanitarian charities.’ he said
The future?
‘The future is to continue playing both home and abroad for as long as my enthusiasm allows and for as long as people enjoy my music. Fortunately there is no sign of either disappearing anytime soon.’
Article posted on 11th June, 2008 - 2.00pm
Loading ...
Most Commented: