When the Coronavirus shut us down, clubs and festivals ceased, and everyone was essentially forced inside with no definitive end in sight, DJ Times wondered: How is our tribe coping? How are DJs getting by? So, we sent out our “Coronavirus Questionnaire” to DJ/producers from all musical genres to find out.
During this period, DJ Times will continue presenting the questionnaire responses from talented music-makers from all over the world. Here’s our latest entry, this time from Los Angeles, Australian DJ/vocalist Kaz James.
What income-producing work have you lost? As with everyone in the world, in some way we’ve all been hit hard as a human race. But on a work tip for me, I’ve lost every show that I’ve had scheduled. However, it does look like I’ll be playing every Sunday again at my residency – Scorpios in Mykonos. So, as you can imagine, I am feeling extremely grateful, as I’m probably one of the only DJs who still has their summer residency. Not sure what the vibe will be like, but to be honest, I’m pretty excited to play a variety of eclectic music, depending on the crowd and atmosphere.
Are you doing anything now that can or will produce music-related income? Before and during quarantine, I made a lot of new music. So, we’re just trying to get figure out how we’re going to release that, to be honest.
What are you doing now that’s ultimately constructive to your music life/career? For example, any releases during this period? At the beginning of all of this, I was very lucky to sign a record deal with Three Six Zero/Sony, Pete Tong’s new record label. My new single is called “Stronger” featuring Ali Love. It’s the first release for me on that label… go check it out.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing? How nice it is to be able to stay home in one city for a long period of time. I’m always on the road for work, and this is the longest I’ve been in one place in the last 20 years. It was surprisingly great.
Have you done anything online recently? Have you seen any DJ video streams that impressed you? I’ve done a bit of them all. The coolest one I saw was one that Dixon did. Obviously, it was awesome music, but also had some really impressive visual effects.
Any theme tunes recommended for the moment? I think with the more recent events such as the #BLM movement, Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name” is the best theme tune I can think of addressing police brutality.
Any advice on staying sane & relatively positive through this situation? I always turn to red wine…
To check out more Life in Lockdown interviews, click here.
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