Though sometimes it can feel like we've been sucked into a world where house and techno rule all, let's face it, most of us grew up listening to a variety of music, guiding us in many different directions over the course of our lives. Such is the case with French DJ duo Deiva and Djos, whose roots lie in styles like metal and hardcore, eventually making the transition to electro and techno, right up the street of some of Carl Cox's more energetic sets. The two are the third and final winners of the highly competitive and illustrious Carl Cox 'The Revolution Unites' DJ competition. So we caught up with Deiva and Djos ahead of their set at Carl Cox's infamous party at Space Ibiza, happening in El Salon on September 3rd.
First off, congratulations on winning the DJ competition! What has it been like to win such a big competition?
Djos: Wow, it's incredible! When I received the email, which announced we had won, I read it many times to be sure I understood. It was like a dream come true!
Deiva: Absolutely, when Djos told me we won the contest, I cried tears of joy!
Djos: We have been DJs together for a long time, and we are really passionate about music, so to win such a DJ competition with Carl Cox, it is a true accomplishment, it's an honor.
Deiva: Yes, because we are totally crazy about Carl Cox! He's one of our favorite DJs! That's the reason why we participated in this contest.
Djos: Oh Yes! Oh Yes! Carl Cox is the best!
Did you do anything extra special for the winning mix you submitted?
Deiva: This mix was a challenge for us because we made a deep house mix to be in coherence with the rules of the contest, but it's not the style we usually play. Normally, we mix electro and techno.
Djos: Yes, but we are able to adapt our set. We listen to a lot of styles. We love a lot of artists...we are music lovers!
Deiva: Winning with this mix was a really big satisfaction. Nobody knows us for playing this style, and its funny to be where you are not expected.
Has anything changed with your DJ and production careers now that you've won? Djos: Only the future will tell, but we hope!
Deiva: We hope to have more gigs in Europe, and we hope to come to play again in Ibiza at Space for the Carl Cox Revolution parties.
Djos: We are producers too, and it can be good if a label likes our tracks and signs us.
Who have been some of your biggest musical influences over the years?
Djos: We listen to a lot of music, but especially all kinds of electro, rock and hip-hop.
Deiva: When we were younger, we listened to a lot of hard music (hardcore, metal, hard techno). We started our DJ career in raves and free parties. We used to play hardcore and hard techno. Now, we love to play electro, techno, and sometimes dubstep. Most of the time, our sound is an invitation to the dance floor! We love artists like Boys Noize, Vitalic, Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, Nero, Orchestrated, Gtronic, Destroid, Proxy, Will Sparks, Knife Party,...
Djos: Chris Liebing, Ben Clock, Maceo Plex, Hedflux, and the pope of techno music, Carl Cox!
Have you been to Ibiza before? If so, when did you visit and what did you think?
Deiva: Our first time in Ibiza was in 2011. We fell in love with the island, and since then we've come every summer!
Djos: Each year, we organize our holidays according to the Carl Cox Revolution opening! We don't want to miss it!
Deiva: We made the opening last July. It was fantastic as usual.
Playing at Space Ibiza for Carl Cox's night is a major accomplishment! Are you excited to come play such a big night at one of the world's best clubs?
Djos: You can't imagine how proud we are and especially pleased. It will be one of the happiest days of our lives!
Deiva: I think I will cry tears of joy again!
What do you have in store for us that night?
Deiva: We have chosen a lot of new fresh tracks especially for our Space's night. We plan to play deep house, house, nu disco and then tech house for the finish.
Djos: We will play evaluative sets adapted to El Salon, the room where we will play.
Deiva: Happy music for happy people!
Other than Space, do you have any big shows coming up in the near future?
Deiva: In August, we played 2 times in Paris at a few big clubs - Le Batofar and Le Glazart. And in September, we have another big date, which is The N.A.M.E Festival. It's the biggest electronic festival in the north of France! It takes place on the 20th and 21st of September, and we will make the opening of the Boysnoize Records Stage with Boysnoize, Strip Steeve, Rustie & Hudson Mohawke!
Djos: September is a fantastic month for us! We will meet two of our favorite artists and we will play in very, very good parties!
Deiva: We hope it's just the beginning!