DJ Moon: the psy scene's lunar star
Reported by Tara
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Submitted 27-10-09 14:02
With psy trance being invited into superclubs like Matter and the two-night long Shpongle afterparties being a psy trance minifestival in themselves, London’s psy trance scene has never looked so good. Part of this is thanks to a new breed of talent coming through and rejuvenating it from the core, such as the multitalented Mexican DJ Moon aka Diane Fernandez. We shared a couple of glasses of wine with her as she gears up for a massive birthday weekend, which kicks off at the Magnetix Halloween Party this Friday 30 October...
Hi Diane, welcome to the HF! Thanks for taking some time out to answer a few question. Firstly, for those who don’t know you, where are you from and what kind of music do you play?
I’m from Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico, and I play psy trance and techno. I think it’s difficult to describe because I’ve just played psy trance for three years and I like the music so much; it’s really one of the most significant things in my life. But I’ve also started to play techno because it’s the next step in my music.
I first came to the UK last year and arrived on 9 September to play at Waveform Festival on 12 September. I came to play at the festival and I had some other dates like Roots and four other dates lined up when first I arrived in England.
You’ve been interested in electronic music since you were around 14 years old. What kicked off this passion and lead you to eventually learning to DJ when you were 19? Have you always been musical or was it something you fell into over time?
I’ve been interested in electronic music for a long time. The first time I listened to it was actually when I was 12, I went to my first rave when I was 13. My Auntie is nine years older than me and she’s in love with rave parties. Of course my mother wouldn’t let me go because I was only 12 so I’d go and stay with my Auntie. But I didn’t know they were rave parties because I’d never been to a normal party!
I started DJng when I was 18 as a hobby because I was at Uni and after 6–7 years of rave parties I wanted to learn more about the music. I started to mix, then people would ask me if I wanted to play at their birthday, and then at their next party and then their big party. So I never decided to be a DJ, it just happened. When I was at Uni I studied to become a psychologist. But every weekend in my last year I went to parties, so I decided it was better to be a DJ. I think no-one has a better job in the world than a DJ!
I never learned music before I learned to DJ. So when I started to DJ it was hard for me because I didn’t understand what was happening with timing and things! So no, I never went to music school. A friend of mine I knew from when I was a child was a DJ, so I said I wanted to learn and he said: “Alright, I’m going to teach you.”
Did it take you long to learn to DJ? When did you first play out and how long did it take for you to start getting gigs out more regularly?
Yeah, nine months and I practiced every day! It was really difficult. But a friend of mine who did a party in my house ended up staying for two months with some of the other DJs. I said I wanted to learn then I had the players in my house and nothing else to so, so that’s how I learned.
I remember my first gig, it was really embarrassing because I was at a friend’s party and I remember I was very nervous because I’d never played in front of people before. It was close to my house and I was so nervous because it was my friend’s party. I think the gigs started to become regular about seven months later, people started to ask me to play around my city. I then started to play in other cities just for the travel, so I got to travel for free around Mexico and party for free then go home!
January 2008 was the first time I charged good money and got paid to travel to a party. Then after that I never stopped! It was four hours from my city — then a year later I was playing in Goa! It’s amazing, exactly one year from then! So it’s actually been really quick!
Your name is Diane and Diana is also the name of the moon goddess. Is this why you chose the name ‘DJ Moon’ or was there another reason?
No I didn’t choose it! When I was a child I always slept at my Grandmother’s house. When my cousins came to sleep at the house I always wanted to watch the moon all night. Then one night my cousin decided he was going to write out the nicknames of all our cousins, so he said for me, “Luna”, but then he said that the “U” in Luna looked horrible! So he put Moon in English instead. After that all my friends and my family started calling me moon! So I was Moon before I DJed, then when I started DJing they’d all ask: “Is Moon coming to play at the party?” So I never chose my name, it was chosen for me.
So you’re going to be DJ Moon when you play techno as well?
Yes of course! The more names you have the more difficult it can be!
What DJs and producers have inspired you the most over the years?
I really want to sound like OOOD! But I think it’s impossible! So OOOD for psy trance and Gabe (of Wrecked Machines) for techno. His techno is awesome, he’s my favourite for techno.
As well as playing full-on psy trance and techno you’re also into progressive. How do you describe your sound?
I think the sound of Moon is always for dancing, for having a good time, for having a party and for trying to entertain the people. It’s not deep, it’s for sexy time, for party time! It’s party music and sometimes can be really psychedelic but I never forget that it’s a party! Sometimes people play some really good music but they forget that they’re at a party. You have to remember that people want to be excited and want to dance because it’s a party! Many artists make music just for parties, like some Israeli psy trance. And some artists make great music, but it’s not for the party. So you need to find a line in the middle.
The most important thing is you need to know a bit about the people at the party. You need to check the line-up. For example, when I went to play in France the line-up was really hard and commercial so I had to look at that and decide what to play. And check the time you’re going to play because it might be 4am at night or 10 in the morning.
What have been the highlights of your DJ career so far?
I think the best experience has to be the people I’ve met all over the world and all the beautiful places I’ve been to DJ. The best thing I think is the fact that the people are different from every single country. When I was in India, for example, it was great. I’ve met some very different people and been to some very different places, I love it.
Since you’ve been in London you’ve played some wicked gigs and you’re about to head to Brazil. What goals do you have for the future?
I want to learn to produce music. I want to learn to make my own music and I want to learn to make my own DJ set using new technology. I don’t just want to play a normal DJ set! I know I’m a long way off from becoming a good producer but I want to try. At the moment I’m working in a bar and I have no time... so I need to quit my job. I’ve also got a lot of gigs coming up: Magnetix, the Shpongle afterparty, then I’m playing in Bristol with the Ninja Hippies and then Matter with Infected Mushroom. Then we go to Brazil for Universo Parallelo!
What are your top 10 tracks at the moment?
psy:::
1- Etnica — Triptonight (Loud -rmx)
2-Freakulizer — Intelligent System
3- Beatnick — poison tree
4-Zen Mechanics — New Propulsion Technology (Flip Flop Remix)
5-Cosmosis — The Eternal Now
6- Oood — Durka Durka
7-Allaby — Imaginarium (Burn In Noise RMX)
techno:::
8-Move! (Dimitri Nakov, Gabe & Ritkam Remix)
9-Cala A Boca (Gabe Remix)
10-Logiztik Sounds — Hyperfreak (Dousk Remix)
I’ve heard some good things about the psy trance scene in Mexico. If I ever make it over that side of the world, what are the best places and parties for me to check out?
The psy trance scene in Mexico now is huge. I’ve seen pictures from the last parties and there’s like 15,000 people! Some are more like 2,000 but others are 15,000. They’re huge, but in Mexico the parties are just one stage and you don’t have any other option. And it’s commercial stuff, because in Mexico you go to the rave party because it’s a fashion thing now — it’s not a hippy thing. You can listen to it on the radio or see it on TV and on buildings you can see massive billboards! It’s like Brazil, where it’s also huge and very fashionable. I love the squat parties in London because even if it’s very cold there’s an amazing energy. For a rave party people should be there for the music! In Mexico at parties we now have a VIP area and if you want to buy a VIP ticket you can share a table with Infected Mushroom! Everyone forgets why we have rave parties and the psy spirit.
But for DJs it’s great, they can play to 5–6000 people and then they can see on FaceBook what they did. But I think I would rather play to about 1000 people that know about the music, because when people know about the music then it’s better. But in Mexico now it’s just huge, there’s no more underground. There’s some great festivals, but they’re not like dance parties any more, there’s no hippies! Actually in Mexico the festivals are just for one night and there’s just one type of music. We don’t have a chill out, no techno, no prog, just one stage and that’s it. So you have to stay there and wait for the next DJ.
The best party in Mexico is Time and Space from Maya Records, because Maya keeps the original rave energy in Mexico and they do beautiful parties with good music. Time and Space is an awesome party! It’s in Mexico City.
Mariah Carey has her voice insured. If you get really famous would you insure your hands?
I don’t think so but I think I might insure my ears! That’s more important than my hands! It’s really concerning because they’re so delicate.
Do you think it’s different being a women trying to break into the music industry? Do you feel pressured to spend a lot of time and money on your appearance?
I think it’s tough, because it’s really different to be a woman when you make your world. But I think a woman DJ is more interesting for people. Of course it’s different for psy trance — maybe if I was a pop star it would be normal as there’s so many female pop stars! But I think woman put a added touch to psy trance music. Even if it’s hard it’s more sensible!
And no, I don’t worry about how I look, I just worry about being comfortable. For rave parties you just need to be comfortable and be yourself. Even if you want to play in pyjamas it should be fine. I never take pleasure in what I should look like. But you can be comfortable and still be pretty! It’s not a big deal!
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I like house music! Even if it’s rubbish I have fun in house clubs!
This year you played at Glastonbury, Glade and Waveform Festivals. How did it go?
I can’t say which one was better as they were all really, really nice. At Glastonbury you can have anything you want, Glade is a really important trance festival and so much fun. Then when I went to Waveform I didn’t feel that well but I ended up having such a wicked time!
I really want to check out some European festivals, so I’m going to try and book some dates at summer festivals in Europe next year!
What do you get up to when you’re not DJing?
Most of the time I spend on the net downloading music and trying to find gigs. But I like to cook, go for a walk in the park and see the squirrels, take some fresh air as I can’t stay in my home all day. And I try and learn things to make music.
If you could throw a dinner party for any six people — alive or dead — who would you ask?
Michael Jackson, Sigmund Freud, Coco Channel, Madonna, Johnny Depp and Hugh Grant.
You’re playing at the Magnetix Halloween party at The 414 on Friday 30 October. Why should readers come along and check it out and what can they expect?
I expect it’s going to be a great party; the last date of October has a wicked energy for me as it’s my birthday weekend! I’m so excited — it’s going to be a wicked party and I already know there’s going to be some wicked people.
Do you have a Halloween costume?
Yes, but you’ll need to come and see me play to see it! I have one already but I don’t know which I’m going to use for Magentix or for the Shpongle party! I think I need two...
You’re then playing at the Shpongle afterparty on Saturday alongside a massive psy trance line-up including Mike from Juno Reactor, Tristan, Dick Trevor, Eat Static, Dr Alex Paterson, Michelle Adamson, Atomic Drop, Lucas, Liquid Ross (of course!) and many more — definitely a who’s who of psy trance! How will your set on Saturday differ from Friday’s (if at all?) Who on the line-up are you looking forward to checking out?
It will be different. I feel really lucky to be playing at the Shpongle afterparty because I sometimes think: “Why me?!” These are really special people! I’m going to try my best because it’s a huge line-up! I want to see everybody!
You’re then playing at Halcyon at Matter on 21 November alongside Infected Mushroom, Eskimo and a number of other top psy acts. Are you looking forward to it?
I feel really good because Matter is now the most technological club in the world — it’s actually got the best sound system in the world right now! As it’s one of the best clubs in the world I’m feeling really lucky and very excited but at the same time I feel fear! It’s too big for Moon!
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to plug?
I just hope people are going to come to Magentix and the Shpongle afterparty because it’s my birthday weekend! Over the years I’ve always celebrated my birthday on the days before, so I’ll be sleeping on my birthday again as it’s actually on 1st November!
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Images courtesy of DJ Moon. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Magnetix - The Halloween Ball
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On:
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Friday 30th October
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At:
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CLUB 414 [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 10:00
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Cost:
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£8 guestlist
£10 on the door
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Website:
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www.magnetixuk.com
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More:
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After a short break to re-charge our batteries, and with the memory of the rather spectacular Birthday Boat Party still in the forefront of our minds, Magnetix are very proud to present our next road block event: The Magnetix Halloween Ball, at our home, Club 414, on 30th October 2009!,
For this event we’re going to go all out to turn Club 414 into the ultimate Halloween venue for the night, complete with Pumpkins, Ghouls, Ghosts and a selection of seriously talented DJs and artists!
Heading up the psy trance for the night is the wonderfully talented DJ Moon from Mexico, at just 22 she’s signed to Mandala Records and has successfully established herself on the UK circuit playing at Waveform, Glade, Sounds of Sunrise, and now Magnetix! With her driving, morning sound she uplifts as well as devastates dancefloors, and as she continues her world tour, we know she’s going to be remembered by the Magnetix faithful long after she’s gone!
MDA & Spherical are two of the hottest properties in the scene right now, with a massive collection of releases on some of the scenes leading labels like Tidy, Tranzlation and Masif. In 5 short years they have pretty much done it all, from their much acclaimed “Welcome 2 The Future" Live PA shows featuring vocalists to show stopping sets at venues such like Brixton Academy, this dynamic duo have been making some serious noise and it’s our pleasure to welcome them to make their mark on Magnetix.
Our final guest of the evening is TrickyDJ. Based in Bradford, TrickyDJ has been tasked with brining the once great High Fish records into the Digital era, and has been doing a sterling job with some extremely high quality releases over the last year. We’re very pleased to say that Tricky will be making his first appearance in London, with an extra special b2b set with our very own Dean Zone that is sure to shake the foundations of the 414 to it’s very core.
Of course no Magnetix would be the same without our fantastic residents Phil Lankester AKA Libra 9, Andy Forse and Timmy Whiz, with the free afterparty carrying straight on from the main event featuring Kevster, Lorenzo “Tequila” Barrero and Barry Harding!
As per usual we’ll have 50 copies of the latest Magnetix Promo CD, with Vol. 8 this time being mixed by our very own Phil Lankester, and remember, if you missed out on any of Volumes 1 – 7 then you can download them all — along with lots of live sets from the previous Magnetix events — from our website, www.magnetixuk.com!
Magnetix – The Halloween Ball
30th October 2009 @ Club 414
DJ Moon
MDA & Spherical
TrickyDJ
Timmy Whiz
Phil Lankester
Dean Zone
Andy Forse
Club 414
Coldharbour Lane
Brixton
London
SW9 8LF
22:00 – 10:00 (12 Hours)
Paying Guest List: £8 before midnight, On The Door: £10
For guest list Email names to info@magnetixuk.com
TRANSPORT:
Tube = Brixton (Victoria Line)
Rail = Brixton mainline station
Buses = 2,3,35,37,45,59,109,118,133,159,196,250,322,333,345,355,415,432,P4,P5
Night buses = N2,N3,N35,37,N133,N159,250,689,690
www.magnetixuk.com
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Other Features By Tara:
Silicon Sound prepares to blast into the realm of collective unconscious at Pan Galactic Space Disco
The grandfather of psy trance Raja Ram shares his secrets for the Elixir of Life
Cathar make First Contact
Younger Brother gear up for a psychedelic family gathering at the Halcyon Christmas Ball
Interview with Astrix ahead of the Halcyon Christmas Ball
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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