Name: Franki Juncaj aka DJ 3000
Nationality: American-Albanian
Current release: DJ 3000's Mezë is out via Motech.
Recommendations: I'm a big fan of Shigeto, the Detroit producer. He always makes great music, but there's something about his album No Better Time Than Tomorrow that I really, really love.
There's something about 'In a Sentimental Mood' by Duke Ellington & John Coltrane that really sets a certain atmosphere for me.

If you enjoyed this DJ 3000 interview and would like to keep up to date with his music, visit him on Instagram, Facebook, and Soundcloud.



When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening? Do you listen with your eyes open or closed?

I definitely listen to music with my eyes open.

While I've never had the experience of perceiving colors or shapes when I listen, my response is more about the emotions and even a change in mood that depends on the song's vibe.

What were your very first steps in music like and how would you rate the gains made through experience - can one train/learn being an artist?

It involved a significant amount of trial and error for me. I didn't have any formal training in music, so I was pretty clueless when I first started making music. Thankfully, I received valuable assistance from my friends and other experienced producers, and I spent countless hours in my studio, absorbing knowledge.

So, while it's possible to train yourself to create music, becoming a true artist is a different journey, and that's a topic I can't really comment on.

According to scientific studies, we make our deepest and most incisive musical experiences between the ages of 13-16. What did music mean to you at that age and what’s changed since then?

I'm glad you brought up this question. Music has held significant importance in my life, dating back to when I was as young as 5. I can't quite explain what it was, but from a very early age, music always evoked emotions in me, and I knew that, in some way, it would become a central aspect of my life.

While the essence remains the same, my appreciation for music has evolved, particularly in how I listen to it and the depth of my appreciation.

Where does the impulse to create something come from for you? What role do often-quoted sources of inspiration like dreams, other forms of art, personal relationships, politics etc play?

Inspiration can pop up unexpectedly. It often happens when I'm enjoying art, like watching a fascinating film or documentary or just listening to music.

These everyday moments can be the source of my inspiration.

Paul Simon said “the way that I listen to my own records is not for the chords or the lyrics - my first impression is of the overall sound.” What's your own take on that and how would you describe the sound you're looking for?

When I listen to music, I often find myself drawn to the overall sound as well. It's about the harmonious blend of instruments, the timbre of vocals, and the emotional atmosphere that the combination creates.

The sound should transport me to a certain place or evoke specific feelings. Whether it's the warmth of analog recordings, the crispness of a well-produced digital track, or the rawness of a live performance, the sound should align with the song's intention.

Are you acting out certain roles or parts of your personality in your music which you couldn't or wouldn't in your daily life? If so, which are these? If not, what, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music?

In my music, I don't necessarily act out roles or parts of my personality that I couldn't or wouldn't in my daily life. Instead, I view my music as a channel for self-expression and exploration. It's a space where I can delve into various aspects of my experiences, emotions, and thoughts without the same constraints or expectations I might have in my daily life.

I aim to create music that reflects my genuine thoughts and feelings, whether they are personal, observational, or imaginative. It's a means of communicating and connecting with others on a deeper level, sharing my unique perspective and stories.

Music is a language, but like any language, it can lead to misunderstandings. In which way has your own work – or perhaps the work of artists you like or admire - been misunderstood? How do you deal with this?

Music, indeed, is a language, and like any language, it can be subject to misunderstandings.

In my own work and the work of artists I admire, misunderstandings can occur in various ways. Sometimes, listeners may interpret the lyrics or the mood of a song differently from the artist's intended message. This can result from the subjective nature of music, as it often carries personal and emotional connotations for both the creator and the audience.

Dealing with these misunderstandings can be a delicate matter. For my own work, I try to provide context or explanations when possible, whether in interviews, liner notes, or social media posts.

Making music, in the beginning, is often playful and about discovery. How do you retain a sense of playfulness as things become more professionalised and how do you still draw surprises from equipment, instruments, approaches and formats you may be very familiar with?

I approach music as a journey of discovery, often guided by specific ideas I have in mind rather than a playful approach. I've been using my equipment for a long time, and I consistently uncover fresh possibilities within it.

Sometimes, even mistakes lead to delightful accidents that add unexpected dimensions to my music.

Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds? In how far would you describe them as “musical”?

Sounds not originating from human activity often hold a deep emotional significance and can legitimately be considered "musical" in their own unique way.

A significant portion of my work on this album draws from non-human-made sounds. While this might not be immediately apparent, these sounds form the fundamental foundation for some of the work I'm most proud of on this album.

There seems to be an increasing trend to capture music in numbers, from waveforms via recommendation algorithms up to deciphering the code of hit songs. What aspects of music do you feel can be captured through numbers, and which can not?

Some aspects of music that can be captured through numbers include things like the tempo and rhythm of a song, the frequencies and amplitudes that make up its sound, its duration, and even metrics of popularity, like how many times it's been streamed or its chart positions.

I believe music is so much more than just numbers. It's an emotional and often deeply personal experience. The emotions it brings out in each of us, and the personal ways we react to it, can't be neatly pinned down with numbers. Music also carries a cultural and historical significance that goes beyond what can be expressed with numbers. It's shaped by the time and place it was created and by the people who listen to it.

Besides, music is a deeply artistic journey, and attempting to reduce the artist's intentions, the creative journey, and the aesthetic value to mere numbers falls short in capturing the true essence of this creative process.

And perhaps most importantly, there's the personal connection we each have with music. The memories, experiences, and emotions it evokes for each person are unique and can't be reduced to data points.

How does the way you make music reflect the way you live your life? Can we learn lessons about life by understanding music on a deeper level?

The way I make music reflects how I live. It's like a mix of planning and going with the flow, a bit like life. I want my music to express my feelings and connect with others.

Music teaches us about teamwork, different ideas coming together, and how to find a rhythm in life. It shows us that it's okay to be a bit imperfect and that surprises can be good. When we really get into music, we learn to feel and understand it better. We learn to connect with others and find more meaning in life.

So yeah, you can definitely learn some cool things about life by digging into music.

We can surround us with sound every second of the day. The great pianist Glenn Gould even considered this the ultimate delight. How do you see that yourself and what importance does silence hold from your point of view? What role do headphones play for you in this regard?

I'm a big fan of sound! It means a lot to me, just like the sweet moments of silence do. Sunday mornings are my favorites – sipping coffee and gazing out the window, that's when I feel truly at peace.

When I'm out for a bike ride or a walk, you'll find me with my headphones on. It's amazing how that helps me get lots of cool ideas and lets my creativity run wild.

Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

Absolutely, there's a special kind of magic in creating music that sets it apart from everyday tasks like making coffee. Music allows me to express emotions, stories, and parts of myself that might not come through in those routine activities. It's like a channel for my innermost feelings and thoughts, adding a deeper layer of connection and meaning to my life.

While making coffee is comforting and satisfying, it doesn't quite capture the same depth of expression and connection that music does.

Every time I listen to "Albedo 0.39" by Vangelis, I choke up. But the lyrics are made up of nothing but numbers and values which don't appear to have any emotional connotation. Do you, too, have a song or piece of music that affects you in a seemingly counterintuitive way – and what, do you think, is happening here?

I can totally relate to that! There's a song for me too that gets me emotional in a way that doesn't seem to make sense at first ... Frank Ocean - "Pink + White."



Sometimes, it's not just the lyrics or the words; it's the way the music makes you feel. It's like a melody can tap into something deep inside you, triggering emotions that numbers and words alone can't explain. It's pretty amazing how music can connect with our feelings in such a unique way

If you could make a wish for the future – what are developments in music you would like to see and hear?

I'd wish for:

More diverse and inclusive music.
Fresh and innovative sounds.
Accessible music education for all.
Better platforms for discovering new artists.
Global fusion and collaboration.
Interactive music experiences.
Easy-to-use music creation tools.
Recognizing music's healing power.