Bigger things still to come from local DJ Garcon

ALREADY known on the Durban clubbing scene, local DJ and producer Garcon (aka Ethan Garland) was 14 when he first came across music-producing software – and he hasn’t looked back.

The 21-year-old Ballito-based DJ spoke this week about his new release, All Night, in collaboration with vocalist Nicole Solomons.

The track has been playlisted on most major South African radio stations, as well as on student radio stations.

“It has been received really well. It normally takes a while to build momentum, so it’s great that it has been playlisted on the major stations,” said Garcon.

Although Solomons, who is also from Durban, is currently in the US, Garcon described the collaboration as a seamless process.

“I had heard her sing before and then she showed me a song she had written. It just happened, it was a smooth writing process. The track has a lot of emotion, coupled with just enough darkness. It ended up working just right,” he said.

With his work being promoted by Cape Town’s Do Work Records, the last few months have also seen an increase in Garcon’s fan base internationally, including Deep House Network in the Netherlands. And his track with production collaborator WezKez, Feelin Me, made the top 5 tracks of the week on Australian radio station KissFM’s After Effect Radio show. He also mixes for respected blogger 3000 Deep, who premiered his track Ethernet.

Garcon has a natural ear for music, able to hear any song and play it. He also plays the piano, guitar and drums.

“I have never had formal training, but I grew up in a home with music as both my parents and grandparents are musical. I thought about being a sound engineer, but ended up teaching myself over the internet.

“When I was 14, I came across music-producing software. I was already into dance music and I just started watching YouTube videos,” he said.

And he enjoys pushing boundaries when it comes to music.

“My influences come from underground German techno and then other stuff, such as classic rock. I take little bits from wherever I can and the challenge is to create my own style.”

Garcon is now looking towards releasing some solo material. “I have been building up a catalogue of music. There’s a lot more to come,” he said.