Rising student DJ spotlight

Sophomore Javi Lozano shares the highlights of his career and his hopes for the future 

Catherine Silvey / Feature Editor / The USD Vista

Many wonder about the artistry behind the live mixing of electronic music. As world-renowned DJs such as Daft Punk and David Guetta consistently top charts with their infectious beats, fans can only dream of how they do it. University of San Diego sophomore Javi Lozano aspires to reach such levels of fame and success one day, and seems to be well on his way. He shared with The USD Vista just how his journey began.

From booking clubs and festivals in both Mexico and the U.S., to getting his first club residency at the age of 16, to signing into contracts with record labels such as CLUTCH Records, 19-year-old Lozano has worked hard to make a name for himself in the electronic music industry.

“Currently, I’ve been working nonstop on touring and music because I love making music and playing it live,” Lozano said. “If I were to guess where my career is going, I would say it’s going somewhere big and I know that I’ll be happy because I love what I do.”

Lozano’s passion for mixing music developed at a young age by coincidence, when a music teacher asked him to perform at a middle school carnival in place of the hired professional, who was stuck in traffic. Lozano’s proficiency in playing piano, guitar, and bass guitar all informed his performance, and resulted in a highly successful first attempt at mixing.

“I lowkey knew basic stuff and was familiarized with what DJs did,” Lozano said. “The doors opened and I mixed for about 30 minutes, and the crowd’s reaction was nothing but positive. Everybody was dancing and jumping, even the upperclassmen. As a little 12-year-old, I was really excited and that’s when I knew I could make something out of this experience.”

Years after his improvised performance, Lozano cites preparation before gigs as one of the keys to his success, tailoring playlists to the audience he anticipates.

“I pick out songs that I produce, songs that I like, songs that are popular, and classics,” Lozano said. “Most of the time I prepare myself for any scenario, so I would say the songs I play depend on the time slot, place, and crowd. A good DJ must know how to read a crowd.”

The combination of long performances and the emotional connection to an audience necessary for a good performance tends to take a toll on DJs when unmanaged. Lozano expressed that combating exhaustion was a significant struggle early in his career.

“When I first started, not getting sleep was hard,” Lozano said. “Since most of my shows were during the night and back-to-back, I wouldn’t get much sleep. From these experiences, I learned how to adapt my body by taking naps throughout the day before a show or naps to fix my sleeping schedule.”

Though exhausting, Lozano ultimately finds great fulfillment in the emotional aspect of his profession, acknowledging that connecting with and spiritually stimulating his audience is crucial to his success.

“For me, a DJ’s job is to perfectly mix energy with emotion, creating a state of euphoria and allowing the audience to digest the music and interpret it using their bodies, hearts, and minds,” Lozano said. “For me, this is my own interpretation of what I do or my ‘job description’ as I like to call it.”

Each one of Lozano’s performances is vastly different from the next, as every venue provides a unique space, audience, and dynamic. As a result, Lozano finds it hard to pick a favorite moment of his career.

“Most of my performances have been highlights,” Lozano said. “I don’t think I have a favorite memory of a show because every show is so different. The music I choose is different, the crowds are different, the setting is different. There are just so many variables that are different every time and I think that if I focus on one particular memory, I wouldn’t be able to appreciate the rest of my experiences.”

From humble beginnings, Lozano has grown within the music industry and is starting to catch international attention.

“So far, my biggest accomplishment has been being able to perform and be well-known internationally,” Lozano said. “People from all around the world know who Javi Lozano is and that is probably my greatest accomplishment. Little by little, more and more, people will know me because I don’t plan on stopping and I strive to continue to make more music, create memorable experiences, and keep moving forward.”

Lozano credits his profession with changing his outlook on life, giving him a new perspective of the people and the world around him.

“Being a DJ has definitely changed how I see life,” Lozano said. “I’ve become more grateful for what I have, the opportunities I’ve been presented with, and the contacts and relationships that I’ve made.”

In the meantime, Lozano can be found balancing his time between studying in Olin Hall and performing at local clubs such as Bassmnt in downtown San Diego. Keep an eye out for his future local performances to support our fellow Torero.