It’s always a slippery slope for producers who get locked into one genre and remain there, eternally bound by the sound they think defines them, but there’s a whole world of sound out there and diversifying influence conjures the creative spark that gives new life to old sounds. Los Angeles based producer Djavan Santos, known to most as D33J, has a wealth of influence as part Anticon Records and member of the WeDidIt Collective. These fostering environments have continued to allow D33J to produce on his own terms while learning from his fellow friends and musicians. Studying in Hamburg in 2011 was also an eye opening experience for Santos, and encouraged him to delve even more into the electronic world!
Anticon re-released his first EP Tide Songs in 2013 and recently released his Gravel EP quoted as a “soundtrack to sleepless nights spent ruminating on both right and wrong decisions.” Growing up playing guitar and piano, D33J has subtlety incorporated these elements infusing them with his relaxing synthesized beats. His focus is creating cool vibes rather than exagerated narratives allowing his music to connect more to the emotion instead of lyrically bound story.
With mixes for Diplo & Friends, Prtls, Noisey and Boiler Room, D33J has quickly become one of the rising producers in Los Angeles. Reappropriating pop and R&B in his own distinct way have allowed him to thrive in the in-between of genres pushing boundaries on both sides. Watch him break beats on Into The Woods: Car Sick and pick up tickets to see him perform live at Los Globos with Dawn Golden, Elos, and Low Limit next Saturday, July 19th!
