Friday Q&A with a Bali resident
This week with Patrix Johnson.
Patrix has been around the nightclub scene of Bali for quite some time already. He’s been nominated a number of times in The Beat Awards over the years for his prowess behind the decks and was the backbone of the Sky Garden music direction right through its golden years.
The basics.
Where are you from?
The country of cheese, clogs and 8 months a year winter… And knowing that I don’t like the cold, it’s not strange I ended up in Bali.
How old are you?
There are days that I feel 18 and there are days I feel 50. Well, I’m closer to 50 than 18 for sure. Damn, time flies when you…
How long you been in Bali?
In 2012, I visited Bali for the first time for a holiday. A friend of mine was living here at the time. Back then, I was running an event organization in the Netherlands with two other friends. Since there weren’t any major festivals on the island at that time, we came up with the idea of organizing one. We had Dreamfields in the Netherlands, and it seemed like the perfect fit for Bali, the “Island of the Gods.”
So, we embarked on an adventure to bring Dreamfields Festival to Bali, and we successfully organized the event twice at GWK in Uluwatu, in 2014 and 2015. Both events were sold out with 15.000 visitors each edition. However, the experience was nothing short of a crazy wild ride. We quickly realized how little we knew about the unique challenges of organizing such an big events in Bali. After two editions, we decided to call it a day. During the events we started working with the owner of Sky Garden for the Dreamfields pre-parties. After the second edition of Dreamfields, he offered me a job and I stayed in Bali. I was resident DJ and the Music Director at Sky Garden for almost 5 years in the time that Kuta was alive and kicking and Sky Garden was the biggest club on the island. After Sky Garden was sold, I worked at ShiShi in Seminyak as DJ and Music Director, untill Covid happened. During Covid, in 2020 I returned to The Netherlands for a while and last year in 2023 I returned to Bali. I missed the Bali lifestyle too much and couldn’t stand the cold so I needed to come back. Happy to be here again!
Single or hooked up?
Bought, wrapped up, and coming with a lifetime warranty! 😉
How did you first get into electronic music? Like, was there a certain moment it all made sense?
My grandpa had a radio station for as long as I can remember. As a little boy, I got to help him out on weekends, setting up the records on the turntable while he kept the show going, connecting the songs with smooth talking. That’s where the seed was planted. I started buying records, taping DJ mixes from the radio and when radio began to feel a bit dull, I transformed my bedroom into a disco. It had everything—a DJ booth, a disco ball, and even strobe lights that I made using fluorescent tube starters and colored filters (it’s a miracle the house never caught fire).
Together with a friend who had a Drive-In mobile DJ setup, I organized the year-end parties at our high school and DJ’d on those nights. I also got to spin records at the kids’ disco in a summer vacation park where we stayed. I had all the latest records and quickly became the DJ for the adult disco nights as well. I was 12 years old at that time.
In the mid-90s, I attended my first rave, Something For Your Mind, which was a regular big dance event in my hometown. It was back when house parties were blooming, going from 10 at night till 7 in the morning and nobody was talking about genres yet. That was the moment I found my calling as a house DJ.
From then on, I bought almost nothing but house records and even spun some hardcore for a while, which was huge in the Netherlands in the 90’s, driving our neighbors crazy practising my DJ skills.
Funny story — on a sunny summer day, my parents weren’t home, so I finally had the chance to crank up the volume. With the windows wide open, I was mixing my latest records, completely unaware that all the neighbors were out in their gardens, unable to hear themselves think. Since I didn’t hear the doorbell, they even tried sending me an Alarm fax, hoping I’d notice that instead! I still keep the fax in my studio till now.
What do you think makes electronic music so good?
The freedom to shape it exactly how you want. But also the fact that certain sounds or combinations come to life during the production process itself. Music used to be primarily built around top lines and vocals, with instruments woven around them. Electronic music flips that script. You start by creating a strong, beautiful track, sometimes using vocal samples, and it has to be just as powerful as a song with lyrics. It’s a completely different way of producing.
What’s even more amazing is that you don’t need a full studio of musicians anymore. A laptop is enough to create a massive track that can make people lose themselves on the dance floor.
Electronic Music creates this incredible energy exchange, whether it’s at a festival, a indoor dance event or a club night. It’s not just the crowd vibing with each other; it’s also the connection between the audience and the artist or DJ. That’s why I could never quit DJing. I’m addicted to that energy. When I’m spinning, and people are dancing, letting loose, and having a blast, the energy I get from that is indescribable. After a killer event or club night, I often find myself lying in bed, still riding that wave of energy.
Do you produce music?
My first ever track was called Adrenalin and came out in 2000 (on vinyl) so almost 25 years ago now. I recently finished a new EP that will be out soon… on my own new record label. More about that soon… 😉
How would you describe the music you make or play?
Nowadays, it’s house music. Sometimes a bit more funky and jackin’, sometimes with a bit more techhouse influence or deephouse and I often play tracks with Latin or Afro influences. But to me, it’s a big blend of house music.
What’s your favorite area in Bali to hang out (day-time)?
Although I would love to have more time to go there, I love the beach, especially in the Seminyak area. Just hanging on a daybed under an umbrella with a fresh coconut till sunset. Damn, I should do that more often.
What’s your favorite place in Bali at night (where you don’t work)?
My favorite hangout at night is Kudeta. The spots at the Ocean-side with the sofa’s, an Espresso Martini and the ocean breeze. But again, I should go there more often.
What do you do in your spare time? Any other interests?
I love to watch movies, series and Dutch football. When I was living in the Netherlands I went to the football stadium every other weekend with friends. Also, I’m a fan of the cinema. But spending most of my time on music. It’s an addiction.
Where are you a resident, or regular DJ?
I just started a new residency in Bali at The Mesa in Canggu where I play every Saturday at the LOVE & BASS house night. Besides that, I am a regular at O Beach on Seminyak Beach (Double 6) and play various venues around Bali as guest DJ.
Connect with Patrix on Instagram or www.patrixjohnson.com
