About DJ Max – Wellington’s favourite Wedding and Function DJ
Music
I love a wide variety of Music and that includes cheesy Pop. I tend not to differentiate, if I like it, I like it regardless it’s origins. However, saying this, I especially love Electronica, Disco, Soul and Funk and if out dancing, that is the stuff that I get my groove on to. I’m a fan of Disco, (see my blog for further explanation) and I’m a Disco specialist. This, by virtue of 3.5 years resident DJ @Boogie Wonderland (now gone, and when it was heavily 70’s) and decades of playing it out DJ’ing. I’ve been to an uncountable number of concerts and DJ’s as well as festivals. I’ve had work on concerts and work on festivals. Music is an enormous part of my world
Tried and Trued Wellingtonian
I was born in Saint Helen’s Hospital, Coromandel St, Newtown in March of 1963 (Piscean). I’ve lived most of my life in this city, living on Mount Victoria, where I very luckily still reside. I lived here excepting the years 1986-1996 when I lived in Rangataua and Ohakune. I began my DJ’ing career at The Hot Lava Nightclub in the Ohakune Junction in 1987.
A Transformed City
Wellington has transformed in my time here, beautiful old building knocked down, burnt down. I remember Courtenay Place of old, Movie Theatres and Milk Bars all up and down it. Vege shops, Butchers, Magazine stores, the Lamphouse, where I used to buy my 7″ top 40 vinyl from. It is a city I know well and love.
Education
I’m Victoria University educated (1999-2010) and have full Majors in Film, Media Studies and English Literature. As part of my Media Studies Major I did 3 Popular Music papers and 1 historical music paper (Ragtime to Rap, fascinating and influential)
Career Background
DJ’ing (1987-current)
I describe myself as a multi-era, multi-genre DJ starting into my 30th + year of being a DJ. With that comes an array of technical and practical skills. My musical programming, knowledge and experience sits at expert level
Highlights of my DJ’ing
Supporting Bands
By virtue of being resident DJ at the Hot Lava, I ended up playing support to many important NZ bands of the 80’s and 90’s. Picture some amazing and crazy nights, big audiences and a heap of fun. There was also 12 wild and heady years playing a raging party (heavily intoxicated audience) for up to 8000+ people (by days end) with The Beatgirls at Palliser Estate for Toast Martinborough. Most recently there was supporting Awa for a Xero party at Wellington’s The Grand Hotel, a great band, a mind blowing sound system, and a brilliant night
Romantic Coincidences
Hearing a best man give a speech about how his best mate had locked eyes with his now Wife. That ‘lock’ had taken place over Reel 2 Reel’s: I Like To Move It on my Loaded Hog Dancefloor about 6 years before (circa 1996). Something I hadn’t known prior to that moment (what can I say, I’m a romantic @heart). I even helped the Groom land a job with a mates IT company!
Endurance DJ’ing
The Wild Wellington Mountain Biking on Mt Victoria was always fun. For the 3 years of it’s existence, I would be playing by 10AM and finishing around 10.30PM, lots of Microphone work, and never a repeated tune. I have done many ‘endurance’ DJ sets of 10 hours plus, including a recent 50th Birthday. That doesn’t include travel and my set up and pack down times of a couple of hours+ either side
Ruth and Paul
Last but not least I am one of only two specialised DJ outfits recommended by the sensational and second to none in New Zealand, Ruth and Paul Pretty of Ruth Pretty Catering. I can often be found DJ’ing for their clients and have done a multitude of events under their wing. This has included working alongside The Noodles for Director James Cameron at his Wairarapa Farm
Film (1994-current)
I’ve spent 25+ years contracting in the NZ Film and Television Industry a good fit with DJ’ing as neither role is especially financially consistent. The expression ‘feast or famine’ springs to mind here! I have had thousands of days on sets and locations across that time
Rock’n’Roll (Ground Transport/Other Production) (2001-current)
Since the 2001 Robbie Williams concert at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium I’ve had some involvement in Concert production work. This has seen me work on the performances of Robbie Williams, David Bowie, Rock To Wellington, The Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, ACDC, Paramore, Perfect Circle, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, One Direction, Aerosmith, Russell Brand, to name but some. In recent years I have worked across Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. I’ve driven for the Rhythm and Alps Festival’s of 2012 (Terrace Downs) and 2013 (Cardrona). I was Slash’s driver on Guns’n’Roses recent Wellington concert
A proven veteran and master at reading the crowd, musically diverse and knowledgeable, pick me to set the tone
Feel free to drop me an email – I would love to hear from you info@djmax.co.nz