Like To Get To Know You Well: Felix

Let's start at the beginning. What was the first record - single or album - you bought with your own money? HONESTLY!

The first record I bought with my own money was an Afroman cassette from Woolworths when I got my first hi-fi back in the day. It was probably not suitable for my age at the time but I didn’t mention that to my parents, haha!

How did you get into DJing?

I got into DJing after learning how to produce my own music while studying Music Technology at college. Having tried many instruments as a youngster, but never stuck with anything, I wanted to perform the music I'd produced so I bought a cheap controller, quickly upgraded to 1210s and started collecting trance records. From there I went on to put on my own electronic music events and release my own music. Many years have since passed, and I'm still at it!

What for you are the key cornerstones of a great DJ set?

Over the years I’ve learned a great DJ set is not about perfection, it’s about connecting with the audience, knowing when to play the right tracks, throwing in some curveballs. It's important to have a good energy about you as a performer.

What 3 records are impossible for you to leave out of any DJ set?

Freed From Desire / Disco Inferno / I Got You (James Brown)

Tell us about a favourite wedding DJing experience of yours...!

When one of the guests is an award winning beatboxer gets involved on the mic and gets the whole crowd going, that one is hard to top.

What 5 artists best represent your variety and diversity of musical tastes?

Jamiroquai / Ray Charles / Daft Punk / Shy FX / Disclosure

What one track is your surefire guaranteed floorfiller?

Show Me Love - Robin S

Do you think DJing a wedding differs in any way from a regular DJ set - and if so, how? - or do the core principles remain the same?

Before getting into DJing at weddings I’d DJ'd at nightclubs and festivals for many years. I feel like DJing at weddings dramatically improved my skills like nothing else before. It opened my ears to genres and artists I’d overlooked for years. Although the core principles are the same, there is such a variety of taste, age etc within the audience that you have to make sure you get everyone involved, not alienating certain groups and making sure everyone is having a great time. This is where I pushed myself to mix tracks together that don’t belong together, not being afraid to change up the vibe. I now also bring this mindset to my nightclub gigs.

What's the most unusual or memorable first dance record you've ever played?

One couple had their friend who was a music producer create their own custom first dance. It started with a slow song, but around 30 seconds in he’d put in sound effects like the track was glitching out and suddenly cut out. I was asked for the lighting to do the same and cut off at this point and play along. After a few seconds of confusion and horror from the guests a remixed version of the song started building up and kicked in along with some confetti cannons which went off at the drop. I played along and acted flustered when the music cut out!

Do you have any big DJing no-no's?

Redlining the mixer or playing the music too loud for the setting. Also no drinks on the DJ booth, I've seen this go horribly wrong!

Fundamentally, what can a couple expect from you as their wedding DJ?

Expect a snazzy glitterball jacket, big smile and music to get everyone involved in the party. And mixing ability from my years of experience in the DJ booth.