We had the good fortune of connecting with Alter Ego – DJ Loren and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Alter Ego, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
Being a Resident DJ and Producer, often times outsiders are unaware of the amount time that goes into preparing, curating and organizing music. When I am at a party, all the mixing is done live and on the fly based on the reactions and energy of the crowd. The most important factor to be able to successfully feed off the crowds energy and perform at a professional level is by having organized crates of music that are clearly labelled. There are many points in my sets that I can be live mixing 2, 3 and even 4 songs together in a matter of 15 seconds, which would be impossible without proper organization. This doesn’t mean that I have pre-made sets or playlists, but rather my crates are organized by genre, year, bpm (beats per min) and musical key. Most of my live performances are at least 5 hours long, so my library needs to be constantly updated and organized.
After my performances, I will go back and review my set in order to highlight the songs, mixes or mash-ups that produced the best reaction from the crowd. I would say that I probably spend an equivalent amount of time, if not more, working on creating remixes to these songs, and looking for new releases.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
A lot of people don’t know this about me, but I am actually a PhD and academic.
I have a PhD in Applied Cardio-Pulmonary Physiology. Over my research career, I have published many papers in academic journals, given various lectures at universities and international conferences. This is actually how I came up with my stage name – Alter Ego, it is quite literally my alter ego. During the day, I can be working in the lab with elite athletes, firefighters, police officers and the general population. As the sun sets and the moon rises, my alter ego comes out. This allows me to express myself through my music and do the things I love and enjoy so much. There are times where it is certainly a little bit difficult managing two completely different lives, but it allows me to appreciate and enjoy both sides that much more! To the readers, if there is something that you enjoy or are passionate about, don’t be afraid of it, try it and embrace it!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being an international DJ and producer, I have the opportunity to travel and perform all around the world. Some of my favourite cites include Miami, Toronto, Tulum and Tel Aviv. They all have a special place in my heart, based on the people I have met in these cities, the experiences I have had both as a DJ and tourist. I was raised in Toronto so it is always nice to come back home and visit places that I used to go as a teen. I would say Toronto is one of the best cities to be in the Summer season. The winters in Toronto are so tough that I prefer to run away to warmer destinations like Miami, Tulum or Tel Aviv. Once the summer comes around, everyone flocks to the patios, beaches and clubs after being locked up in their homes under blankets all winter long. That feeling of having everyone come out of hibernation is amazing, people are just so ready to have a good time and are just filled with good vibes and excitement. Toronto has a lot of immigrants, which in turn brings their amazing cuisines to the city. I would say Toronto is probably one of the most diverse and multicultural cities I have ever been to. Toronto in the summer offers beach clubs like Cabana, beach parties, amazing restaurants and great after-parties at Coda. In the winter season, Miami has a vibe like no other, people from all over the world come to catch some sun at the beautiful beaches and pool parties. Miami is like a mixing pot of energy, which creates an amazing dance floor. From supper clubs like Villa Azur and Marion to after parties at Space, Miami has it all. If we’re going for relaxation and jungle party vibes, Tulum is the way to go. You can choose to bum it out on the beach or the beach party. It honestly amazes me how a places with so many amazing parties, still manages to provide some of the most relaxing and beautiful experiences. I would say it would depend on the friend, some of my friends really enjoy the party scene, while others would kill to be able to have their peace and quiet on a beach with mojito in hand, with no worries other than where the bathroom is.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a special shoutout to the fans, my friends, family for supporting all along the way. I also have a booking manager, Albert, for my DJ Loren persona for weddings, corporate and social events. Albert has served as a mentor to me in many ways. He is constantly pushing me to the best version of myself both as a performer, person and professional. Special shoutout to my manager Albert from Vamos Events! Without the support and amazing vibes from the fans, dancers, friends, family and Albert, I would not be able to be where I am today in my Career.
Instagram: @iam.alter.ego
Other: @DJLoren
Image Credits
Alex UA Photography