Graphic: What made you interested in becoming a House DJ?
Eduard Cos (DJ Ecos): I first became interested in alternative rock music, and jazz. I started playing drums in my freshman year in high school. I had a rock band for about 5 years, and while I was listening to new styles of music that involved drumming, such as Drum & Bass, I became more familiar with all types of electronica music. Since I had a music background with playing live, recording, and other technicalities, and I loved going to clubs, DJ-ing came very natural. House music was just the genre that suited me the most, and the one I enjoyed the most at the time, to play in a Club.
G: In what ways would you say House is different from other electronic music genres?
EC: I would say house music itself is a very broad genre. It has many sub-genres. What people confuse is Techno, Trance, House and Dance. What they all have in common, and a reason why many people confuse them, is the bass-drum beat, which is very symmetrical in a strict 4/4 measure and on every beat. There are definitely differences in the instruments included in each genre but is sometimes very hard to explain in words.
G: What types of House do you play, and what makes it different from other types of House?
EC: I mostly play Deep House and Tech House and rarely some Minimal, Dub Techno and Progressive House. Deep House, is usually more mid to slower tempo, has many acoustic sounds, and groovy bassline, warm and doesn’t usually have vocals. Tech House, as the name says, combines House and Techno, which is a little more upbeat than Deep House. Sometimes it’s more monotone and has less melodic variation. Also percussion and drum groove play a more important role.
G: How did you start spinning? What venues have you played at?
EC: I started playing with music back home in Romania somewhere around junior-senior year in high school. I played more commercial house, top 40 type of music, in the beginning until I got into more underground music. It started as a hobby and not for money, and is still like that today. I only play underground house, no more commercial because I lost my affinity towards it. I stay within my genre because that is where I have the most experience, versatility and knowledge. Most of the venues I played are in Romania, from more underground clubs to pool and beach parties. In the U.S. I have a once a month gig at Moonshadows in Malibu. I have played in Hollywood as well, but not very regularly.
G: What do you think about the growing popularity of House, and the number of people who are trying to become DJs?
EC: I think Dub Step, Electro House and Trance grew in the last four years. When I got to Pepperdine, people didn’t know at all about those styles. I think even though House and Techno first started in the U.S., they are not as popular as in Europe. One artist that tried and succeeded in bringing electronic music to the U.S. is David Guetta. He plays very commercial dance/house, but it definitely is a step towards other electronica. I think everyone is welcome to be a DJ, and now with technology and lap tops, actual mixing is a lot easier. That is why there is a huge increase in DJs. There are too many DJ’s out there who think they know how to DJ because they press 3 buttons, but is not only about that. Getting the crowd to dance and having an individual style are very important things. So I advise anyone that wants to start playing that they play the style they love most.
