Zix Bio:
Thou shalt dance.
The first commandment for those who love real Techno. It’s not just music. It’s a religion. And for those who know and love Zix, it’s assured - thou shalt dance. With a style that never fails to get the dance floor pumping, Zix has firmly established himself as one of the most revered techno DJs of the Netherlands. People who know Zix come to parties knowing they will be taken on a journey. Those who don’t are hooked from the moment the first record hits the turntables.
Zix was born in the South of Holland as Ziggy Willemse. Named after David Bowie’s infamous alter ego Ziggy Stardust, Zix was destined for a career in music. Growing up, Zix was exposed to an eclectic variety of music, from mainstream to underground, Roxy Music to the Doors.
However it was Steve Rachmad’s Emerging CD that first inspired Zix to play Techno. According to Zix, “It was a style and kind of set that I’d never heard before - very unique on its own. It totally blew me away with its depth and energy.” Zix was hooked. Immediately he embarked on a quest to create a sound of his own. Personal, unique, and full of emotion. The result? Powerful and hypnotic, like a steam train bearing down on you. Yet danceable and uplifting. Later his popular radio show was to be named LocoMotive, truly reflecting the harnessed energy of his sets.
It is this sound combined with his trademark long mixes and intelligent stylings that give fantastic songs an extra level of depth. He has built his reputation – and sets – on the ability to weave the different sounds together, with rarely heard or soon to be classics, that leave other DJs clamouring to know what that last track was.
Zix started his DJ career in the summer of 1999, and immediately established a reputation for igniting the dancefloor with his high energy sets. In April 2004, he joined the renowned Dommelvallei organization as the first resident DJ and firmly established his relevance in the underground dance culture of the Netherlands.
DommelVallei started as an underground Techno organization, throwing parties in warehouses, under freeway passes, in the woods – wherever it could - to give real techno lovers an alternative to the commercial music that was dominating parties and the airwaves. Word spread quickly - and these events grew in popularity because this distinct style of techno was elusive. The events soon took on a life of their own, with classic parties such as the legendary AlleyGator-parties at the Effenaar. Picture a club transformed into a real alley with drying clothes hanging from the ceiling, large trash receptacles at your disposal, and police sirens, whirring away. It’s the stuff legends are made of.
Whether producing or at work behind the decks, there are two things on which Zix always focuses: emotion and energy. As a DJ, Zix is known for taking the crowd on a healthy, emotional rollercoaster, bringing them to a sustained, energetic state of ecstasy.
“I’m there for the crowd first. It’s my responsibility to deliver a good set so they can enjoy themselves, let go of their problems and the pressures of daily life, and just have a good time.”
In other words, balance is the name of the game. With nearly five years as DommelVallei resident DJ – as well as an organizer of the infamous parties - Zix has just added a monthly residency at Chakra. He is also a budding producer, with projects currently underway with techno acts including Dave Miller as well as Solid Decay, one of Holland’s finest live acts. Techno lovers are in for a real treat when these instant classics start to hit the underground scene in the near future.
Zix has shared the spotlight with headliners such as Steve Bicknell, Suburban Knight, Octave One, Takaaki Itoh and Pacou among many others.
But you don’t have to go to Holland to enjoy the musical stylings of Zix. Let him take you on a journey. He hosts a popular live Internet show – LocoMotive – which features Live Techno from Holland on
www.puredj.com. So tune in on Sunday nights with the other music lovers around the world and take a trip with Zix.
Contact information:
zix@dommelvallei.nl
www.myspace.com/zix
www.dommelvallei.nl
www.e-troitfestival.nl
Cursus hoe de dj te pesten!!!
When requesting a song from the DJ, just say "play my song", or "it goes
something like this" then hum a few bars! We have a chip implanted in our
heads with an unlimited database with the favorite tunes of every patron who
ever walked into a bar & all songs ever recorded, so feel free to be vague,
we love the challenge.
If we do not remember exactly what tune you want, we're only kidding.
DJs know every song ever recorded, so keep humming. Hum harder if need be
... it helps jog the memory.
If a DJ tells you they do not know a song you want to hear, they either
forgot that they know the tune or they are just putting you on. Try singing
a few words for the DJ. Any words.
It also helps to scream your request from across the room several times per
set followed by the phrases, "AW COME ON!" and, "YOU SUCK!" Exaggerated
hand gestures expressing disapproval from the dance floor are a big help as
well, such as the thumbs down or your middle finger. Put-downs are the best
way to jog a DJ’s memory. This instantly promotes you to the status of
"Personal Friend Of The DJ."
DJs are notorious fakers & jokesters and never really prepare for their
shows. They simply walk on stage with no prior thought to what they will do
once they arrive. A DJ's job is so easy, even a monkey could do it, so
don't let them off the hook easily. Your request is all that matters.
If a t****e DJ had played at the club a few weeks ago, the next DJ that
follows will automatically know every t****e tune the previous DJ ever
played, even if the current DJ is a house or jungle DJ. It's the law.
Feel free to yell Tupac or Biggie!! to a DJ that plays strictly house for
example.
IMPORTANT
When an DJ leans over to hear you better, grab his or her head in
both hands and yell directly into their ear, while holding their head
securely so they cannot pull away. This will be taken as an invitation to a
friendly & playful game of tug of war between their head and your hands.
Don't give up! Hang on until the DJ submits.
DJs are protected by their equipment, & only play the game
when tricked into coming out from behind their turntables. Though difficult
to get them to play, it's not impossible, so keep trying. They're especially
vulnerable during mixing songs.
TALKING WITH THE DJ
The best time to discuss anything with the DJ in any meaningful way is when
he is in the mix. Our hearing is so advanced that we can pick out your tiny
voice from the megawatt wall of sound blasting all around us. DJs are expert
lip readers too. If a DJ does not reply to your question or comment
during a tune, it's because they didn't get a good look at your mouth in
order to read your lips.
Simply continue to scream your request & be sure to over emphasize the
words with your lips. This helps immensely. Don’t be fooled.
DJs have the innate ability to answer questions & mix at the same
time. If the DJ doesn't answer your questions immediately, regardless
of how stupid the question may seem, it's because they are purposely
ignoring you.
If this happens, immediately cop an attitude. We love this.
HELPING THE DJ
If you inform the DJ that you are a DJ, the DJ will appreciate your
help with the next few tunes, or however long you can remain standing on
stage. Simply feel free to walk up on stage & join in. By the way, the
drunker you are, the better you sound.
Keep in mind that nothing assists the DJ more than
outrageous dancing, or a tambourine played out of tempo.
Try the congas, they love the challenge. The DJ always needs the help &
will take this as a compliment.
BONUS TIP
As a last resort, wait until the DJ takes a break and then get on stage
and start playing their records. They love this. Even if you are
ejected from the club, you can rest assured in the fact that you have
successfully completed your audition. The club owner will call you
Immediately the following day to offer you a position.
