The UK based Genix has built up a reputation as one of the freshest dance artists with his cutting edge production and DJ sets. Now a familiar name on the biggest linups around being on the same bill as the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Sander Van Doorn, Judge Jules to name a few Genix has shot to fame after years of DJing across the UK and releasing some quality productions on the biggest dance labels around. In 2005 Genix put his name in lights by achieving a Guiness World Record for the longest DJ set in history with a massive 84 hour DJ set!! Whilst raising money for charity his name got printed in the worlds most published book!His DJ career has taken him across the globe… playing at some of the most elite clubs around. With numerous sets across the uk and in China, Russia, Europe and Ibiza’s Judgement Sunday’s. He is resident DJ for UK superclub Passion where the worlds most famous DJ’s such as Armin, tiesto, PVD etc appear on a monthly basis alongside Genix and fellow resident JFK.
How did you come up with the name Genix?
Ha ha, I don’t like my DJ name, well I think I was looking out for names and was in college, somebody passed by me and said something that sounded like this, and then I thought oh, its a nice name, may be I should keep it. So yeah that’s Genix, but really I don’t like it but probably people are used to it now, so yeah this is it. 🙂
Did your upbringing have any influence on your decision to pursue electronic music?
No, not really. My parents and my brother all love music though, so we used to listen to a lot of stuff.
When and how did you first begin exploring dance music and who were some of your biggest influences? Have your inspirations changed over the course of your career?
Well, I always loved electronic music, especially in the 90s, when I was growing up. In fact, I actually listen to a lot of 90s hits on my iPod when I was out running or in the gym. It’s great to train to, maybe a nostalgia thing! My biggest influences to get into trance were probably Judge Jules & Armin Van Buuren; both I admire a lot. My inspirations are always changing.
How would you say your shows have changed over the course of your musical career and what do you recall as some of your most memorable gigs of all time?
That’s easy, electronic music is more main stream now. Its more like a rock concert with the big stages and production. But I really think the music is much more suited to underground clubbing venues like it used to be. I have a few memorable gigs. My favourite gig was probably opening before Tiësto back in 2007 then closing after him too!
Looking back, what do you recall as some of your intense, memorable, and longest studio sessions?
Each studio session is so different. Sometimes ideas just flow out and other times it’s a lot hard to come up with concepts for tracks, kind of like writer’s block. But persistence is key with music production. I don’t really have a most memorable studio session although I remember writing all of my tracks and coming up with them. That’s pretty crazy considering I’ve released so many records. I usually work in the day so they are not that long— maybe ten hours max.
What’s a studio day typically like for Genix? Do you have any routines or rituals?
First of all: exercise at 6 am, breakfast, then work on music. I usually have a little break in the afternoon on my PS4 to rest my ears then I will go back and work some more on tracks etc. I usually work on some social media and admin stuff during the day too.
You’re provided remixes for some of the biggest names in dance music, including Above & Beyond, Markus Schulz, Kyau & Albert, Pierce Fulton, Lange, and many others. What’s the remixing process like for you and is it any different from your typical solo producing?
Yeah, its very different as a process. The idea and concept of the track is already there, so its slightly easier. I think they key about remixing is trying to make the track your own and putting your own stamp on it. I think that’s the whole idea of having remixes and alternative version anyway.
You are a Guinness world record holder for playing 84 hours, how did that idea come from?
Aah, I don’t even remember how old I was. I think I was 18, trying to do almost everything and getting much exposure to DJing. I was young, was stupid, probably when you are young, you don’t care (laughs), yeah so it lasted 4 days, started wednesday morning 9 AM to saturday night 9PM, and its the hardest thing I have ever done, my head was completely gone, so yeah it was hard, really hard.
84 hours is a very long time, what kept you motivated and energetic during that time?
I am very driven and motivated person and when I set some goal for me, I have to achieve it, there was no way I was gonna fail. It was hard because it was physically tiring and the mind was confused, I didn’t know where I was actually for the half of a day. It was like a dream, hallucinating, but yeah i had few friends who helped me in the last stages to just tell me what to do because i was confused and finally got picture in the famous book, so yeah its a Big achievement
What are you working on right now? What’s coming up?
I’m always producing. I have a new EP on Anjunabeats titled Rogue / For Those We Lost. I have been taking a slightly different direction with my tracks this year, bringing back the more techy and darker influence, which I was known for about 10 years ago—also fusing lots of techno into my new stuff, because I love it.
https://soundcloud.com/genix-1/genix-guestmix-279-group-therapy-radio-with-above-beyond
If you weren’t a DJ, what profession do you think you might have chosen and why?
I would love to have played pro football (Soccer to you Americans haha.) I’m a huge Manchester United fan. It’s like a religion to me and im very passionate about it.
What would you say are some of your short-term goals and long-term goals?
Long term goals: I want to continue and make progress in what I’m doing now. Looking back, I can see a progression over the years. Releasing bigger tracks on bigger labels. So I want to continue with that. Maybe short-term, I’d like to perform at new venues and places I’ve never been before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJg6Q9GsEvU