Will this be your first show in China? Is there anything that you are looking forward to doing or seeing in particular?
Yes it will be my first China show. I have played all over the world in the last few years but not China yet. I like the fact that I am going somewhere with no expectations, at least gigs wise, and I am very excited about seeing the place, China has a rich history and culture and I want to experience as much as I can while I am over there.
How do you feel that DJing and producing has changed over the last few years?
Well I feel people pigeonhole music too much and it’s not as varied as it used to be, where DJs could experiment with different styles as much as they wanted. However I am not scared to do this and play different styles. And with DJing, I never hit the sync button and always mix manually, DJing is an art and hitting sync button is not DJing.
What was your favourite memory of 2013 and what are you looking forward to in 2014?
Doing my BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix live from my residency in Ibiza at Sankeys for VIVa Warriors with Steve Lawler in July was the highlight - that was amazing. 2013 in general was truly amazing and I plan on doing it all again in 2014, and really carry on the same with everything haha.
What can we expect from your upcoming performance at Suns Lounge Bar in Guangzhou, China on the 15th November?
Lots of house music for the soul. My sets are based on groove and rhythm, and I’m not scared to experiment.
Aside from your DJ equipment, name you top three touring essentials.
Hahah I always have a packet of dried fruit with me to snack on. Healthy eating is important with this lifestyle. Another is my laptop so I can go through my music, watch films and so on when I am on all these long flights, plus my mini camcorder so I can document my travels for myself.
Do you have any pre gig rituals?
Yes, 2 shots of tequila and a pen and paper to make notes of what I need to do in my set. I always check out the club and the crowd and the vibe 20 minutes before I play and then make notes. I never plan a set. People always ask me what I was doing writing stuff down before I play, haha well this is what I am doing.
Who in your opinion are the best up-and-coming producers / artists at the moment?
Sidney Charles, Cuartero, Hector Couto, Dusky, The Martinez Brothers.
If you weren’t a DJ/Producer what would you be doing?
I’d be a chef or working in illustrations as that’s what I have studied and got a degree in, but I loved music too much so this is why I am here doing this :)
Darius Syrossian will be performing at Suns Lounge Bar, China on the 15th November 2013.
