On a 48 hour trip to Ibiza, I managed to get a moment with DJ Cameo. We were at Hotel Destino’s beach club, The weather was warm, the sun was setting and the music was flowing.
DJ Cameo seemed chilled, I was watching as he had his photo’s taken and answered questions for a video interview. After he had finished, he came over to me and introduced himself. We spoke about Ibiza, Release The Groove, his plans for the future and more.
Cameo is a cool guy, with charisma and charm. If you get a chance to meet him, you’ll find it hard not to like him. We started the interview and it went a little something like this.
How did you get into the music industry?
I was on pirate radio stations in London – Taste FM, Delight FM, Ice FM, covering South and West London when I was 16 years old. I was involved in doing radio shows during graveyard times trying to get into the game. I started as an apprentice at Uptown Records in the West End where I learned my trade and started producing with my friend J Sweet. We made a track called Hi Grade which got a lot of attention. From there, I started to play at all the underground clubs in London.
When BBC 1xtra started, they discovered me and told me they really liked what I was doing and liked my new sound. One 1xtra said they wanted me to do a pilot to get a new show which I got. They took me under their wing and trained me to become a presenter. This moment was my main intro into the music industry.
For those of us that don’t know, give us a breakdown of Release the Groove?
Release the Groove is a new house and tech house record label that aims to focus on the new sounds within the tech house market. It’s new and more exciting than it’s ever been, as there are so many young people with energy coming through revamping that genre. The label aims to take the sounds from all over Europe in a unified way with members in Belgium, France, Amsterdam and Ibiza.
The people involved in the label are me, Gavin Francis, Myles, and Smith Davis. Emerson Osman is looking over the label and the main financial backer is Maximillian White.
It started two years ago in my house with my friends Gavin Francis, Greg Forbes, Myles and Smith Davis with an introduction from Lex Lewis & French from Awake. We want to be organic and have it grow naturally with our own production in-house, our own artwork, our own designs, and our own parties.
The first party we had was at Proud Camden and we did four parties throughout the year. The standout event was in Belgium at Club Vlagg. We did a couple performances at Blanco Beach Algarve in Portugal with owner Maximillian White. We ended the summer with the main label launch party at Destino Ibiza before the 1st official release later this autumn.
Where did you meet Maximillian (thatboyyouhate)?
I met Max about eight years ago when he booked me to play at a party on a yacht in Cyprus. I was picked up by a Rolls Royce, delivered to a speedboat on the port which took me to a mega yacht. When I arrived, there was Omarian, Wiley and of course Maximillian White himself. I jumped on the decks and started playing for a birthday. From the moment, I met Maximillian White at the party, we clicked as we had the same personality and became good friends ever since. I now regard Maximillian White as a brother as he is another person who wants to be immersed in music.
Best and worth thing about being DJ Cameo?
Best thing is being able to travel the world doing what I love and meeting amazing people.
The worst thing is missing my sofa and not being able to watch every Man Utd game live.
Do you have a lot of groupies? How do you handle the attention?
I don’t see people as groupies they are fans who like what you do and they bring an amazing vibe to the parties.
How do you manage work and life balance?
I am terrible at it, I just love music and live it 24 hours per day since I started the record shop. I’m a perfectionist and obsessive about what I do. All my energy goes into my music work.
What’s the funniest thing a fan has ever done or said to you?
One guy in Ayia Napa said he pretended to be me to get laid and succeeded every time. Go on lad.
Favourite gig
Has to be Music on Paradise & Elrow in Ibiza. That’s where I would love to play.
Dead or alive, who would be the artist you would want to work with most?
One of my favourite artists of all time is Prince. Musically he is the complete package. He understands so many different sounds and genres and he manages to make it work. He is also an all-round musician from vocalist to pianist to guitarist. He is an absolute talent. He could really bring something new and cutting edge to the house music industry. He would be top of the list for someone I would want to work with.
What’re your plans for the future?
This journey I am on now is my dream. From a young kid, I always wanted to be a producer. I believe going forward would be to establish Release the Groove as a major brand around the world; for house music, for quality production, for amazing parties, and overall an amazing house brand. We are looking to establish a base on the back of the launch. We’ve got London and Belgium. We are looking to base something in Lisbon, the Algarve next year with Blanco Beach, Ibiza with a residency on the back of the Destino launch and in Dubai for upcoming winter gigs I am booked with. I want to establish myself as a credible house music DJ and producer around the world and that I can deliver.
Any tips for anyone who would like to follow in your footsteps?
The main tip in music is to always believe and have self-confidence and self-determination to try and go through with your dreams. Know your limits, be realistic, and really focus on seeing it through. There are never any guarantees; it’s not always the talent who makes it. You always need to persevere, be strong and be true to yourself.
Your style and your favourite fashion brands
My style is simple with a bit of an edge. I like the high street brands like Topman, Zara, Sixth June and Bershka and niche brands like Crooks & Castles, Nicee clothing? I like finding little gems which suit me. Fashion should be individual and you should always find what’s good for you. My favourite designer brand is Louis Vuitton: it’s timeless and classy.
Three things you must take on every trip
Phone, laptop and universal adapter
What do you do when you’re not DJing?
I love binge watching TV series Power, Game of Thrones, and films also Match of the Day.
Some quick fire questions, choose one
Chicken or Fish
Chicken
Victoria’s Secret or Agent Provocateur
Reggae or Hip Hop
Hip Hop
Motorbike or Car
Car
Mini skirt or sexy dress
Sexy dress
Curvy or Slim
Both, depending on what mood I’m in
Netflix n Chill or dinner and drinks date
Dinner and drinks date then Netflix n chill.
Ok, we did say choose only one for the quick fire questions, but I like your last answer, so I will leave it at that. Where can we follow you?
Instagram @DJCameo
Twitter @DJCameo
FB @DJCameoUK
https://soundcloud.com/release-the-groove/sets/cassette-grooves-002
Tell me something you have never said in any other interview
I want to go back to Ibiza; can you book my flight, please?
Photography by Lewis @lewisandrewss