DSTRYD UNLEASHES HIS DARKEST MIX YET ON THE VIRGINIA EDM SCENE

INTERVIEW BY JOE FITZPATRICK

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PABLO SIMS

Known for his dark and eerie persona, DJ and producer DSTRYD has decided to remove his mask and share some of his secrets with us. Spending the majority of his life in Virginia Beach, DSTRYD has quickly become one of the top names in the EDM scene, playing local raves such as Still Ill, Grime Time, Loose Lips, and more, as well as headlining his own club spots. His unique brand of deep bass and R&Bass compliments the gloomy aesthetic of his brand perfectly. If you are looking to get weird, you need to check out DSTRYD and turn up.

I noticed on your Facebook page that you are originally from Valparaíso, Chile. When did you move to Virginia Beach?

I moved here when I was about four-years-old. My stepdad was in the Navy.

How did you get into DJing?

I started producing when I was 18, and I went through a weird phase of putting porn samples over beats under the name “Pussimusic”. Then around age 20, I started Djing in local the club scene.

How did you get started DJing in the Virginia Beach EDM scene?

I was always into music as a kid, and when I turned 20 I bought a controller and starting mixing. My first gig was Still Ill at 37^th and Zen with OH!BOY. From there, I just kept at it, and I had a lot of fun with it.

Please explain to me why you chose to name yourself DSTRYD.

A longtime friend of mine from Houston used to tag in graffiti the word “DSTRY”, so I took that and added the D.

What is the inspiration behind the dark, gothic brand you have created?

I have always been into weird, dark things. When I started out at first, I played happy electro shit, but now since I am known as a producer, I play mostly deep house and R&Bass because they have an eerie, dark vibe. I still like to play electro, but I have that one image so I can’t bounce around [between genres] as much as I would like.

Do you feel like that limits you as an artist?

I mean, I love playing weird, eerie music a lot, but sometimes I do like to mix it up. On Sundays, I play Venue 112, which is off Great Neck Road in Virginia Beach, and there I can play whatever I want.

When are you planning to release your Winter Club Mixes?

I haven’t decided yet when I will be releasing my Winter Club Mix. This year I decided to make an eerie R&Bass mix each month and a deep house club mix each season, so be on the lookout for those.

What is your favorite part of performing live?

Everything from mixing songs to reading the crowd and feeding off their energy. I especially love big shows at The NorVa. When the crowd gets hyped, it makes it way more fun for me. On the 23^rd, I will be opening for DATSIK through Steez Promotions. I think I am going to be the second opener. It’s an all-ages show, so come out and support.

Is music your full-time job?

No. I am also an electronics technician.

But I did see on your website that you have an in-home studio?

Yeah I have two KRK Rockits, my Macbook Pro, a Scarlett audio interface, my midi controllers, and other cool gadgets here and there.

If you were not doing music, what career would you choose?

I’m not quite sure. I have been a nerd my whole life, and I really like working with electronics. I went to school for graphic design, but I got tired of that pretty quickly. Music and electronics are my biggest passions.

For more updates on DSTRYD, be sure to “like” his Facebook page, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to check out more of his mixes on Soundcloud.