Photo Courtesy Of DJ Alone
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. But I have been traveling since I was 18 years old. Since that time I knew I would live abroad.
WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
I split my time between Miami and Los Angeles where I currently reside.
WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
I love both cities I live in. Los Angeles inspires me to produce music and makes me more creative and proactive. This city has a lot of energy, I feel it and I love the fact that it constantly dares me to improve my skills as an artist and a human being. There are a lot of talented DJs and music producers here and I find it exquisitely challenging. Miami is the opposite. As it is slower paced, it helps me focus on my well-being and reset. I come here to relax and enjoy the beach. Except when its high season. For example, during Art Basel I played almost every day from Wednesday to Sunday. It’s my favorite time in Miami. I always spend Art Basel week here and a week after just to recovery from all the amazing art and music madness.
WHAT WERE YOUR CHILDHOOD AMBITIONS?
I always wanted to be on stage for as long as I can remember! Entertaining is my thing! I was dreaming to be a singer or an actress. My voice is not on point yet but at least I am on stage spreading the love and having the best time.
WHY MUSIC?
When I was six years old my parents took me on a vacation, and we were sitting at the restaurant by the sea. Suddenly I heard music, I stood up, went out of the restaurant and straight to the sound. I saw a little pop up kiosk with cassettes and there was a sales person. So I asked him what music was the most popular and he names a couple bands. I asked my parents to buy three cassettes and later I figured out that it was the most popular bands in Russia. I started my music collection from those three tapes and then it became a big library. Later, I collected CD’s and then when the Internet came I started downloading a lot of music. From there, my friends always asked me to share, which I was glad to do. Even when it was cassette tapes I learned how to record from one to another. Same with CD’s.
WHEN DID YOU START DJING?
I started deejaying 10 years ago and producing one year ago.
I split my time between Miami and Los Angeles where I currently reside.
WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
I love both cities I live in. Los Angeles inspires me to produce music and makes me more creative and proactive. This city has a lot of energy, I feel it and I love the fact that it constantly dares me to improve my skills as an artist and a human being. There are a lot of talented DJs and music producers here and I find it exquisitely challenging. Miami is the opposite. As it is slower paced, it helps me focus on my well-being and reset. I come here to relax and enjoy the beach. Except when its high season. For example, during Art Basel I played almost every day from Wednesday to Sunday. It’s my favorite time in Miami. I always spend Art Basel week here and a week after just to recovery from all the amazing art and music madness.
WHAT WERE YOUR CHILDHOOD AMBITIONS?
I always wanted to be on stage for as long as I can remember! Entertaining is my thing! I was dreaming to be a singer or an actress. My voice is not on point yet but at least I am on stage spreading the love and having the best time.
WHY MUSIC?
When I was six years old my parents took me on a vacation, and we were sitting at the restaurant by the sea. Suddenly I heard music, I stood up, went out of the restaurant and straight to the sound. I saw a little pop up kiosk with cassettes and there was a sales person. So I asked him what music was the most popular and he names a couple bands. I asked my parents to buy three cassettes and later I figured out that it was the most popular bands in Russia. I started my music collection from those three tapes and then it became a big library. Later, I collected CD’s and then when the Internet came I started downloading a lot of music. From there, my friends always asked me to share, which I was glad to do. Even when it was cassette tapes I learned how to record from one to another. Same with CD’s.
WHEN DID YOU START DJING?
I started deejaying 10 years ago and producing one year ago.
HOW DID YOU AQCUIRE THE SKILL?
Dedicated to music from a young age, I grew up playing the piano prior to teaching myself to play guitar. Very soon I found myself creating DJ playlists for my friends before any formal training. Later, I enrolled in the best DJ school Moscow had to offer and played in restaurants and clubs to practice for months, honing my skills and mastering my technique before moving on to the city’s famous clubs and later the United States. In addition to performing, I dedicate my free time to teaching my skills to those who share my passion for music with private DJ classes as well as producing my own music. I collaborate with DJs from the underground scene and produce Deep, Tech and Afro House tracks.
WHAT'S YOUR PREFERRED MUSIC GENRE TO PLAY?
I am addicted to underground music. It makes me feel excited and gives me goose bumps every time I play. I usually play Deep House, Afro House, Tech House or Techno depends on a club or theme of the night.
WHAT GENRE ISN'T GETTING THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES?
All genres I play are getting the attention it deserves. I would say Afro House wasn’t that popular as it is now. Back in the days not so many DJs played it. Now it’s getting more and more popular, and I think Black Coffee is playing a big role in making this genre more popular and playable.
WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
One of my favorite DJs is Solomun. He is my icon and the best example of a DJ who build his carrier in underground genre and became the most famous in it. He transmits his energy through the music he plays, and he can play 24 hours with no break. I am also inspired by young DJs and music producers. When they achieve big results it makes me feel that I have to work more and improve my current skills.
HOW DOES YOUR AESTHETIC TRANSLATE ELSEWHERE?
My Art is music, but my heart is sensitive to any kind of art: literature, theatre, dance, sports… Each in its own way. I am a performer so I enjoy the process of creativity from A to Z. My costumes and presence are a reflection of what inspires me. I enjoy being in constant evolution, under the influence of everything I see and how I feel.
HOW DO YOU GET DRESSED FOR THE CLUB?
I have a designer who dresses me up for my gigs and makes my style unique. All clothing she makes for me is one piece of a kind. She has a boutique in New York City called Annie Couture New York. For my personal life I usually shop at Saks Fifth Avenue because it has a huge variety of brands. I love Balmain and Alexander McQueen for clothing and my favorite and the most comfortable brand of shoes is Valentino, Jimmy Choo and Gianvito Rossi.
WHAT BEAUTY ROUTINE DO YOU SWEAR BY?
My dermatologist selects my skincare products. He customizes my routine with products that contain Vitamin C and E, low concentration retinol, and of course SPF; that is very important for my skin because I live in sunny cities. He also gave me a specific eye complex serum to prevent under eye dehydration and fine lines. I use all these products twice a day and I also get facials twice a month. It helps to keep my skin hydrated and young. This strict routine coupled with a healthy lifestyle are mandatory to keep on glowing, especially when you spend a lot of hours in night clubs and go to bed after 2 a.m.
WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO OUTSIDE OF THE SCENE?
I love working out. I try to do it five times a week. I like intense exercises and I usually go to Orange Theory when I am in L.A. and similar gym in Miami. I also like yoga, but it’s more on my days off. Last time, I tried hot yoga in L.A. and I have never sweated so much – even after a sauna!
HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
I have been playing music since 2008, and have spent more than 700 hours in the past year performing on stage. I achieved my biggest dream to date by playing on the stages at Burning Man this past year. I staple at high profile events such as Art Basel and Miami Music Week, and at special invite-only events for clients like Ocean Drive Magazine, and Veuve Clicquot. My dreams are not limited to the United States. I hope to take my music up a notch to an international playing level, bringing my sound to Ibiza, Tulum, and other cities around the world. This is what makes me happy!
