One of South Africa's most sought after DJ/producers, Jullian Gomes recently spoke at the Breathe Sunshine Engage music conference alongside Black Coffee, DJ Zinhle, Alan Nicol and Pulse Radio boss Kavir Magan. The Pretoria boy carved some time to sit down with Pulse Radio for an up close and personal.
Your collaborative album with Atjazz, “The Gift The Curse” is in our opinion one of the best out there and has done really well. Is that the result you were hoping for? JG: Martin and myself had the expectation that people would be interested in the collaboration and how it was presented but we never had any expectation on how the music would be received. We could really feel that everyone that was talking about the album and how much they wanted it and how happy they were once they got their hands on it were sincere and really appreciated what we put into it. It was a first for house music given the differences between Martin and myself and the logistics that went into making it happen behind the scenes but we were really happy with the final product and how people received it.
You are currently working on a new offering. How different will this album be to your current album? JG: I'm always brewing different ideas and feelings inside. But I also don't like giving too much away. I think I'm really happy with just being myself and not paying attention to the pressures of the industry or at least I'm handling it much better these days. I’ve learnt to focus more on myself, be me and constantly strive to move forward.
Who are you looking at working with? JG: I'm looking at working with anyone that I can vibe with. I constantly come across new and different talent. There are too many to mention in this interview but all will be revealed soon.
You are an emotional creative. I bet most creatives are. How do you take to criticism when your art is so dear to you and has to be heard by millions of people? JG: The thing about creating is that you will never make everyone happy, So why try? In the early stages it's hard when people don't get you but as long as you are in touch with yourself and you believe in that, it’s truly the best creative energy with which to fuel your music or art.
Between touring, studio time and local work. How do maintain balance? JG: I think there's a general balance and the key is not to rush things but to direct your energy towards the things that are most important to you in the moment.
What's the most fulfilling part of your career? JG: I get to do what I love and make people happy at the same time.
What is the biggest challenge you face when making an album and what have you found most difficult about being in the public eye? JG: Making an album always results in paperwork at the end of the day. And having to deal with different managers, artists and labels can get a bit frustrating at times. But it’s a case you of the only way past it is through it. There's no pressure being in the public eye. If you feel you have to be pretend to be something you are not in public, I could see how that would be hard. But I don't feel any pressure.
As a Red Bull Academy alumnus, you are still involved in some of their activities. How did that institution influence your career and would you encourage aspiring musicians to pursue that route too? JG: Yeah. I would definitely encourage both young and older artists to check out RBMA. It's a life changing experience. I'm still involved with the RBMA guys and some of their projects every year.
Your choice of vocation is regarded as glamorous and snazzy. Is there any truth to this? JG: Haha. Only on Instagram.. behind the scenes is a whole different story. But at the end of the day its a beautiful thing and we rise to it.
CD sales are on a global decline. What do you think is the catalyst to this and how can the industry overcome this problem? JG: I think people are so use to getting music for free that it's become taboo to walk into a record store and buy a record from your favorite artist. The digital realm has taken over but hasn't been considered clearly by the stakeholders of that realm. There are way too many loopholes. I think it would be a sad sight if it got to the point where we as individuals no longer possess any physical collection of music to pass onto our children.
You are an independent artist and seem to be quite content with that fact. The reason? When so many of your peers dream of being signed to major labels? JG: I guess being signed to a major has its stamp of approval. It shows that you are doing something right musically and that you may well be destined for success. Not always the case though. There are a lot of amazing artists signed to majors but in many cases its an arrangement that often doesn’t work out. Most artists signed to majors don't have freedom to do what they want because of the money invested on them. Too many egos are thrown around in boardrooms and essentially the persona and intent of a record executive and that of an artist are very far removed. I believe that independent labels there will come a day when independent labels will take over. Indie labels are formed with the vision of the artist as their focus and the artist is the one on the ground mingling with the fans who buy and support their music.
If you were to visit a rural area and explain your music making process to them in the simplest way possible, how would you begin? JG: Kick drum. Shuffle clap. Electronic soul…
What are the biggest lessons the industry has taught you about yourself? JG: Pay attention.
If you were you to move to another country on a quest to globalise house music, which country would that be and why? JG: I love South Africa and I don't think I would ever leave but I would say Japan. Just love the country and the people.
With the advent of the internet and social media at the centre of most entertainers lives. How do you take advantage of this marketing tool? JG: I see it as my ''Daily Digital Newspaper'' where I have the freedom to say what I consider to be important and spread the word about the things I think are cool and should be exposed to the pubic. It's that simple.
"Brands are not born, they are created, made". As a music brand, how do you ensure that you set yourself apart from the rest of the market? JG: I have no idea how I did it. I would say I have always remained true to myself and that has been key to the progress I have made and where I am now. I never studied marketing or attended any kind of brand building training. Instead I said to myself, ''J, these are your people. Do good and put it out there.”
If you were tasked to produce another genre of music other than house, which artists would you most want to make music for or which genre would that be? JG: Definitely Neo-Soul. It’s got to have that groove.
You spoke at the Breathe Sunshine Music Conference about having the final say to your music and planning not being your strongest point. What's your take on artist management? Are you self managed? Do you have a team behind you? JG: You are the company you keep. So management is very important thing in this industry for any artist. It's obvious that you need good people supporting you. Those who understand your vision and the greater purpose of what you are doing. I don't have management at the moment. As I have yet to come across the right person that my gut told me was a good idea to go with. Thats why I started my own artist Management and booking agency and have been on the search for the right people to cross paths with and move forward with.
What's your perception of our local dance music scene currently? JG: The local scene has always been growing and a lot of guys and girls doing good things. In terms of diversity, It's there but a lot more can be done to bridge the gap and the differences between people. But I also trust music to take care of that. I think the underground scene is really growing with a lot of good acts but it's many punters never get to hear about them if they aren’t into the scene deep enough.
Do you think an artist should be consistent with his/her sound? What is your take on innovation and changing with every emerging wave? JG: You need to grow with anything in life that you do and the only thing that seems to allow people to grow these days is courage and the truth you owe to yourself. Recreate yourself everyday, even if its just a little.
You are one of the most sought after deep house DJs and producers. What drives you? What inspires your music? JG: I'm driven by the need to create. Money is important to live but not as important as the art I need to live.
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