Page 40 - Zone Magazine Issue 030 - Lexicon Avenue

Going back to Summer 2019, I was getting ready to play my first set at Audio Garden Festival with the Reboot Crew. They were also after announcing me for their gig with Mauro Picotto later in December. I read through the full line-up and saw the name CAMELA. My curiousity got the better me and I quickly had to google more information as I’d never seen this name before. I found him on Facebook and we became internet friends. We were chatting for a few months as I’d asked him would he have any interest in a feature, to which of course he replied yes with absolute delight. However, we were going to go through with the feature although we had never met but this fell through, to which now I am very thankful for. I rather meet artists in person, before I work on a feature about them, it makes it more real for me and the readers as well as they are reading from a personal perspective. Decemeber 21st came around, and I finally got to meet Gavin. I was blown away by his ecsentric energy. He was so sweet and gracious and charming and flamboyant. Just a really sound, cool fella! He played a whopper set in the Piano Room of the Electric Ballroom in Drogheda and we had the most amazing night! I’ve no doubt this guy is going to go very far, his determination and ambition truly shapes his character. I am excited to introduce to you all, the utterly class CAMELA, a.k.a Gavin McClelland.
Can you recall the moment when you first
knew that you wanted to pursue a career
in music?
Kerri Chandler -DJ EZ, Joseph Capriati, Dave Clarke and Paul Johnston. I would pick these DJ's because there’s huge versatility between them all and anytime I’ve been lucky enough to see any of these acts performing it was always an amazing experience.
What in your opinion are the most
prominent challenges a music artist faces in
the scene today?
In my opinion the most prominent challenge a music artist faces would be getting his/her name out there above others through networking/marketing and socializing with promoters and events. Everybody has a look, everybody has a sound, everybody has a style but to be the most unique and gifted out of everyone is the biggest challenge for every DJ out there.
Do you have a guilty pleasure in terms of a
specific genre or song that you love but
that is also cringe-worthy?
My Guilty Pleasure would definitely have to be "Luther Vandross, never too much DJS"
What has been the best gig you've played
and why?
After I first started DJ'in with the Absolute Deep collective, they ran an event called "Enter The Coven” in a local area in Dundalk. There was around 1200 at the event and I played an hour set b2b with a good friend of mine on the main stage. It was truly an amazing night and I will never forget it.
Talk to us about production.
I think music production is another challenge all DJ's face and I see it as essential in my own career’s development within the music industry.
Do you have a music bucket list? What kind
of milestones have you achieved to date?
Yes! If I had to put something on my bucket list, it would be to play at all the super clubs in Ibiza. I’ve played in Eden Ibiza which was a great experience but really, I’d love to play clubs like Amnesia, DC10 and Es Paradis. It would be a dream come true for me.
My first ever milestone would have been my first time ever getting behind the decks playing to a crowd. Hosting my own events and from there playing at festivals I use to attend as a raver. Now I’m getting to support massives acts such as - FJAAK Mauro Picotto, Quinton Campbell, Infinity Ink, Ejeca, Mella Dee, Paul Woolford, DJ Deece. In 2019 I achieved an ultimate goal and got to headline a stage at the huge MASS Festival. Madness, while I was playing my set, Hannah Wants/ Rennier Zonneveld were playing on the other stage!!!
What's the most important thing in your life?
The most important things in my life are my friends, my family and my music!
What's the best advice you've ever been
given?
I havent been given it yet!!!!
I’ve always loved music and going to gigs from a young age, but my close friends from Dundalk were running a collective called Absolute Deep. At this stage I hadn't even been DJ'in just over 3 years ago now. They were running an event in town and asked me did I fancy playing. I jumped at their offer even though I was quite nervous at the thought of playing in front of people at a busy gig. When the gig came around, I was given a 40 Min slot towards the end of the night. Once I finished my set, I felt amazing / relieved to have done such a good job. From then on, I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in music.
Name 3 essential qualities a good DJ
should possess.
1. Don’t be afraid to play something that people don’t expect and is a wee bit out of the ordinary.
2. Easier said than done, a more sociable character might find it easier to pursue a career as a DJ because networking has a big part to play in it.
3. A quality of being a good DJ also I think is knowing your set time. if you’re on early for a warm up set make sure to warm up the crowd and the other DJ's can build from there.
Who were your earliest influences?
Julio Bashmore / Huxley / AppleBottom.
Describe your first rave experience.
My first ever rave experience was in the Button Factory at Julio Bashmore over 6 Years ago now, looking back on it now as a fan then, it really set me on the path that am on today.
If you could compile a dream line-up, which 5 legendary artists would you choose and why?
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