In the span of five years, Avi Marco, perhaps better known as DJ Avi, has made quite a name for himself around DFW. The Israel-born jock moved to the area in 2005 and has since played numerous venues in both Dallas and Fort Worth, scooping up a couple of residencies along the way.
He grew up listening to '90s dance music, and later sought inspiration from some of the biggest names in techno and trance today.
"Armand Van Burren and Tiesto... were definitely a part of what influenced me when I started." the club DJ says.
But what about his own, personal, style? " [It's] a combination of funky house electro, dance, and mainstream," Marco explains.
And with seven years of experience behind him--five of which have been spent in the area--DJ Avi shows no signs of slowing down. The club DJ's plans for the future include more of his own remixes, and perhaps a single of his own. In the meantime, you can catch DJ Avi spinning dance hits every Thursday at the Viper Lounge in Deep Ellum and on both Fridays and Saturdays at Aura Lounge in Uptown
After the jump, check his DC9er mix, as well as a Q&A that further explains his expansive background.
How long have you been DJing for?
I've been DJing for 7 years.
How did you get your start DJing?
I've always been the kid that brought the newest music to the house parties, and I've always been interested in music and DJing at an early age. I decided to buy equipment and teach myself how to use it. I stumbled upon my first gig in Israel when I went out with friends to a club and the DJ was sick so the owner let my friend and I do a set and was impressed with us so he gave us a night every week.
What was your first gig like?
I was nervous, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't think that my friend and I did that great but we started gaining some fans and new offers, and I figured out that this is something that I wanted to continue doing.
Who/what are some of your biggest influences musical or otherwise?
I grew up listening to '90s dance music, and later I was exposed to some of the biggest DJ's and trance artists like Tiesto or Armin Van Burren, so these were definitely a part of what influenced me when I started.
What's your favorite genre of music, both to play and to listen to?
I mainly listen to house and electronic music, but because of the type of job that being a DJ is, you have to open yourself to a variety of genres in order to play what people enjoy hearing or dancing to. I think that a more versatile DJ is a more valuable one.
How do you decide what songs you're going to play?
You have to be able to read your crowd in order to know what they would enjoy listening to, so you can control your room. I tend to "educate" the crowd and expose them to new songs or things that they have not necessarily heard on the radio.
How much preparation goes into putting a set together?
It begins with expanding your music library weekly, listening to music continuously to be up to date on the newest songs, practicing at home, trying to be creative and find new ways to mix an exciting and fun set.
What are your main objectives when it comes to playing music? (Are you looking to entertain the crowd, educate them, or something different altogether?)
Being a resident DJ has some obligations. You, in a way, must please your crowd so that they will want to come back. However, I personally like to educate the crowd and play stuff from overseas, just so people would be exposed to other things aside from what they hear continuously on the radio or in other clubs.
What can someone expect when they come to see/hear you play?
That sitting or standing is not an option They will definitely enjoy themselves and the atmosphere that I create throughout the night. Also, there's definitely something for everybody, meaning they will hear different styles, different songs, and unique music.
What kind of equipment do you use?
I use Serato with vinyls.
Requests. Love em or hate em?
I'm not a big fan of requests--it may definitely be one of the most annoying things for DJs. Some people don't realize that their request may not fit the set at the moment, or that I will play their request at some point throughout the night.
If you could play a gig anywhere, with any other DJ/music act, whom would you play with and where would it be?
There are so many great DJs and music acts that I would want to play with or be a part of that I simply cannot pick one. But I would say that it would be somewhere in Europe since they have some of the biggest clubs in the world.
What sets you apart from other DJs in Dallas/Denton/Fort Worth?
I think that being born in Israel provides me with a different background and knowledge in music styles that get to Israel but may not get here. And obviously, every DJ has his/her own style.
When/where will you be playing next?
People can check me out weekly--Thursdays at Viper Room and Fridays and Saturdays at Aura Lounge. They can also follow my web site and twitter for different gigs that I get booked for during the other nights of the week.
What can Dallas expect to see from you in 2010?
More music, my own remixes, and hopefully soon a new single.
DJ Avi's DC9er Tracklisting:
1) Komodo - I Believe ( Cherry Coke remix)
2) Eddy Wata - I Like The Way
3) Marcel - Sexbuster (Stefano Pain Pettin mix)
4) Mason - Exceeder (Felguk Remix, DJ AVI Edit)
5) Kid Cudi ft. Snoop Dogg - That Tree (Filth remix)
6) Deadmau5 ft. Rob Swire - Ghosts N' Stuff (Vocal mix)
7) Dizzee Rascal - Dirtee Cash (Tom Piper & Nom De Strip Remix)
8) DJ Tomcraft - Happiness & Loneliness 2010 (Niels Van Gogh Remix)
9) Wynter Gordon - Dirty Talk (Hagenaar & Albrecht remix)
10) David Guetta Ft. Afrojack - Louder then words
11) Tocadisco Ft. Nadia Ali - Better Run (Afrojack remix)
12) Kid Cudi ft. Steve Aoki - Pursuit of Happiness (Dutch edit Dj bam bam)
