Part 2
When you're DJing, does it actually feel like you're inventing something on the spot – or are you inventively re-arranging patterns from preparations, practise or previous performances?
Alvaro: I think it's a mix of both. When you're playing, you're often improvising, so in that sense, you're creating in the moment. However, many of the decisions you make in real-time are influenced by previous sessions, practice in the studio, and the experience you've accumulated from other sets. In the end, it's about finding that balance between spontaneity and what you've learned.
Delmar: I think the art of DJing lies precisely in that balance: knowing when to improvise and when to rely on parts of previous sets or prior preparations. For me, it all depends on the energy of the moment and the place. Sometimes, something about the crowd, the room, or the atmosphere reminds me of a past experience, and I think, “This would work here,” so I go in that direction. But there are also moments when you completely let go, and everything flows naturally, as if you’re creating something entirely new on the spot.
It’s a very unpredictable process. You never really know what’s going to happen. There are nights when you connect with the audience right from the start, and everything falls into place perfectly. But there are also tougher days when you just can’t seem to find that spark. That’s why the nerves are always there before starting—you never know how the energy will be, how the crowd will react, or how you’ll feel in that moment.
What’s interesting is that a track that makes one crowd go wild one night might not have the same effect in a different venue the next day. That’s why I think, as a DJ, you need to have resources to adapt to any situation. There’s a time to take risks and improvise, and there’s a time to rely on what you know works. The key is being prepared for both, staying open to what the moment demands, and finding that balance.
Do you engage with audiences/dancers - and how? Taking one of your online DJ mixes as an example, how does the experience and the way you deejay change when you subtract the audience?
Delmar: When I perform, I aim to create an experience and tell a story that has a clear beginning, middle, and end. I believe my way of DJing is unique—not necessarily better or worse than others, but definitely my own.
I’ve worked on it for many years, refining my style through the way I mix, my music selection, and the atmosphere I create. The tracks I choose allow me to build a personal vibe that I feel is distinctive. It’s like inviting the audience into a world of my own design, and I take pride in the fact that when I listen to other sets, they’re often completely different from what I do.
My way of connecting with the crowd is all about building that journey together. I start by feeling out the room, experimenting, trying different directions, and observing the energy. The real connection happens when I manage to tap into the moment—when the club’s sound, the audience, and my music all come together as one. It’s hard to explain, but when I truly feel it, I know they feel it too. That shared moment is what makes the experience special.
Alvaro: When there's an audience, the connection is key. I like to observe the feedback from people as a reference to see how the session is going. Sometimes, you see that a song has a particular sound or section that resonates because the crowd is enjoying it, and other times, you decide to shorten it or avoid that part altogether to make a switch. There are certain tracks that don't work at all in one country, but in another, they're a hit. So, interaction with the crowd is fundamental for me.
When recording an online mix without the physical presence of an audience, the experience is quite different. Instead of reacting to the crowd in real-time, it's important to create an internal narrative or atmosphere based on the concept you're trying to convey. Online mixes are necessary, but I don't enjoy them as much as performing live.
Collaboration is a key part of almost every aspect of music making, but it is stil rare in DJing. Do you have an idea why this is? Tell me about your own views on back-to-back DJing, interactions with live musicians or other forms of turning DJing into a more collective process.
Alvaro: Collaboration is huge in most areas of music, but DJing has always had a bit of a solo vibe, even though back-to-backs are more common now. I think it’s because DJ culture traditionally celebrates that individual journey—every DJ has their own sound, style, and approach to creating a vibe.
When my partner and I play together, though, it’s not just a back-to-back thing. We’re not just taking turns or going track-for-track. It’s more like a shared language, where we’re both building something together. We’re constantly pushing each other, finding new directions, and creating moments that we wouldn’t reach on our own. And that dynamic, that back-and-forth energy, is something the crowd can feel, too. It creates this unique flow that’s more interactive and exciting.
I think there’s so much potential in making DJing a more collaborative experience, whether that’s working closely with other DJs who share a similar vibe or even bringing in live musicians. It’s all about being open to deeper collaboration, which can be challenging, but it brings a totally different energy to the room.
How important is dancing for our wellbeing on a personal and even on a societal level?
Alvaro: Dancing is super important for our wellbeing, both for us individually and for society as a whole. On a personal level, it’s a way to let loose, de-stress, and just feel good. Moving to music lifts our mood, keeps us active, and can even help us feel more confident and connected to ourselves.
On a bigger scale, dancing brings people together. Whether it’s at a party, a concert, or a cultural event, dancing lets us connect with each other in a unique way, breaking down barriers and creating a real sense of community. I’m genuinely happy that I get to make a living by making people dance and enjoy themselves.
So, yeah, dancing is way more than just fun—it’s a great way to boost personal happiness and bring people closer together.
Especially in the light of advances in AI, where do you see the role of humans in DJing versus that of technology? Can AI act as a collaborator or creative stimulus?
Alvaro: As tech and AI keep advancing, I see them as awesome tools that can add to what we do as DJs, not replace us. Being a DJ isn’t just about playing tracks—it’s about feeling the vibe, reading the crowd, and creating a real connection. AI can help with things like finding cool tracks or even generating new sounds, but it doesn’t have that instinct or emotion that humans bring to the table.
That said, AI can be a great collaborator or creative boost. It lets us try new sounds or handle some technical stuff so we can focus on the crowd and the energy. It’s really all about finding the right balance: using AI to make our sets better but keeping that human touch that makes a DJ set feel alive and one-of-a-kind.
Do you feel as though DJing 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?
Alvaro: Yeah, DJing is totally different from making a cup of coffee, though both can be special in their own way. When I’m behind the decks, I’m connecting with people, building a vibe, and creating a moment that you can feel in the room. It’s like this back-and-forth energy with the crowd, where their reactions shape what I play next, and it all comes together in real-time.
Through music, I get to bring out emotions and excitement that wouldn’t come through in something more routine. DJing lets me take people on a journey, and seeing everyone in sync, having a great time—it’s just an incredible feeling that’s hard to find anywhere else
Let's imagine you lost all your music for one night and all there is left at the venue is a crate of records containing a random selection of music. How would you approach this set?
Alvaro: Honestly, putting together a set without knowing the tracks would be tough. You really need to know what each song’s got—like, does it have vocals, a killer break, or any standout sounds that could shake up the dancefloor?
When you’re familiar with the tracks, you can plan those moments that’ll lift the crowd or give them a breather. Without that, it’d feel like guessing, so I’d just try to get a quick feel for each record and spot anything that could really work with the vibe.
But yeah, knowing the music is key for pulling off a solid set.
