Behind the Decks: A DJ’s Life in Motion
It is not just about the final set. Here is a look at the focus, the gear, and the raw energy that happens before the music officially starts.
A candid shot of me DJing at a daytime event. Whether it's day or night, indoor or outdoor, the goal is always the same: make people dance.
A black and white photo of me at the decks with a psychedelic projection in the background. This artistic shot captures the spiritual and meditative side of the music.
A close-up shot of me mixing under cool blue lights. This is my office, where I blend sounds and create energy for the dancefloor.
A shot of me performing at an Odd/Even event. The stage setup and visuals are a huge part of creating the right atmosphere for a memorable night.
An abstract, long-exposure shot of me at the console. This image visually represents the blur of motion and energy that defines a great party.
A close-up of my tools of the trade. The Pioneer DJ console is where all the magic happens, track by track, mix by mix.
About Miscellaneous Moments
Whether it is a sunrise festival set or a late-night club drop, I treat the DJ console as my office. You will usually find me dialled into a Pioneer CDJ setup, fine-tuning transitions and harmonic mixing so the energy never dips, even when the dancefloor is just starting to warm up.
The photos you see here are more than just behind-the-scenes moments. They represent the preparation that goes into a 3 to 4-hour Essjay psytrance set or an Audiomenace techno takeover. Managing a crowd for that long requires more than just a playlist. It is about reading the room, managing transitions, and knowing when to ramp up the BPM to 145 or when to drop into a deep, hypnotic groove.
My Approach to the Booth
- The Gear: I work exclusively with industry-standard Pioneer CDJ 2000 NXS2 or 3000 setups and DJM 900 mixers. When you are looking for a seamless, high-fidelity experience, the hardware matters just as much as the track selection.
- The Vibe: Whether it is an open-air rave in Kasol or a packed club in Delhi, I am not just hitting play. I am curating a journey. For techno sets, I focus on building a rhythmic, hypnotic foundation. For psytrance, it is about that full-on, high-energy blast that keeps the troopers locked in.
- Planning: I don't believe in generic sets. I take into account the venue, the time slot, and the vibe of your event. From sundowners where you need deep house to peak-hour madness where you need forest psy, I tailor the music to match the energy of the crowd.
Essjay
I am Essjay, and for me, the magic happens in the moments the crowd doesn't always see. Whether I am prepping unreleased IDs for a festival or soaking in the quiet before the chaos, I am all about connecting with the music and the people who show up to dance.
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