http://www.365mag.com/index.php?pg=...+Music+Magazine

365MAG INTERVIEW: BEHROUZ

Special: 365 Interview (2008-08-29)

San Francisco based DJ/producer Behrouz (Behrouz Nazari) is one of the most prominent artists in the field of progressive-styled dance music. A true music veteran, Behrouz has made quite a name for himself over the past 17 years, resulting in worldwide gigs at renowned clubs such as Crobar (Miami), Pacha and Space (Ibiza), and Red Light (Paris). As a producer, Behrouz rose to prominence with numerous acclaimed compilations, productions on labels such as Shinichi and Yoshitoshi, co-productions with Yousef, and award nominations.

Although often labeled as a progressive DJ, Behrouz rather dubs himself a musical chameleon: "My sound is impossible to categorize but if I were to give it my best shot, I would describe it as a myriad of different subgenres of music I have experimented with during my past 20 years of DJing. It's composed of sexy music incorporating the finer elements of deep house, tribal and progressive beats, with a touch of electro and minimal techno." His most recent mixing project is the release of the In House We Trust 2 compilation on Yoshitoshi, on which he once again establishes himself as an artist with a sense for the hottest records around without fearing experiments or limits. Also, there's another new album slated for a 7 October release titled Pure Behrouz NYC on which the heavyweight champ mixes two CD's of the finest in tech house, progressive and minimal techno. More than enough reason for 365Mag to catch up with Behrouz to get to know more about the man, his passion, and his future plans...

What is your musical background?

I used to play drums in high school and played the keyboard. I also started collecting records at very young age.

How did you first begin your career in the music business?

I used to make mix tapes for all my friends and one day a friend of mine asked me to do a mix show for his fashion show In San Francisco and the show went really well. From there, he started doing these parties once a month and asked me do to live shows. At one of the shows, one of the owners of the best club in San Francisco at the time, DV8, was there and he asked me to play at his club. I started playing at DV8 and became the resident DJ for eight years.

What are some of your long-term goals in the industry?

To make memorable music so people will remember me by my music if one day I'm not around. I would love to win a Grammy and continue to make music and love what I am doing as long as I can.

What is the theme behind your new album Pure Behrouz NYC?

The concept of Pure Behrouz is about a journey of different genres of electronic music all in one night and it's like having 2 or 3 DJ's playing in the same night. I usually play from open to close and the music varies all the way from deep house to techno.

Which label do you feel you feel that you have received the most success with your releases thus far?

I had great success with Yoshitoshi when they were putting out really good records at the time and also helped them to acquire many of the tracks on the label. I also did some great CD's with them. Renaissance was also a good label that I worked with and did a CD with that did really well (Frontiers). At the moment I'm really happy working with Nervous and doing lots of project with them. I just put out a couple of tracks on Nervous and the Pure Behrouz NYC CD that comes out in September.

Which other DJ's are the most fun to perform alongside?

I have had good times with many DJ's out there and to be honest I can't just say one DJ because there are so many of them to name.

Where are some of the places that we can expect to find you as you tour to promote your new album?

This summer I have been based out of Ibiza where I have shows at Amnesia with Made in Italy and also Space Ibiza doing four or five shows at Be at Space with Danny Tenaglia, which has been a lot of fun. Also had some shows in the Greek Island of Mykanos at Cavo Paradiso, as well in Dubai. I am looking forward to my tour in the US as well. You can keep an eye on my schedule on my myspace page www.myspace.com/djbehrouz to see all my upcoming tour dates.

Your own productions Rich in Paradise, Time Travel, and Coming Home are included on the album. Will these tracks also be released as singles?

Rich in Paradise with be released on Nervous Records as a single, Time Travel will be released on Urban Torque as a single and Coming Home I will try to keep for my own label which will be sorted out hopefully soon.

Which tracks on the album do you feel will receive heavy airplay in the months to come?

There are lots of BOMBS in there, from A to Z. Every one of the tracks are special to me and they will appeal to different DJ's. I feel like Rich In Paradise will appeal more to the masses, and hopefully receive heavy airplay.

Overall, how long did it take you to put this compilation together?

Well, this CD was supposed to come out sooner and I have been working on the CD for the past 4-5 months. I tried to put tracks in there that are timeless so that when you listen to it in years to come, you will still enjoy the CD. These are some of the tracks that I have been playing in the clubs and I thought it would be great for people to listen to them in a different environment than in a club.

Being that you are a based out of San Francisco and your album is entitled Pure Behrouz NYC, what type of special connection do you have to New York?

NY is my second home. I play a lot in NY and thanks to my good friend Danny Tenaglia, who introduced me to NY at the time when he had me as a guest often at his party at Vinyl called Be Yourself. From there on I developed a special relationship with so many fans and have continued playing very often in NY. I have a Pure Behrouz residency at Cielo which is very dear to my heart. I get to play from open to close and really take everyone on a special journey.

Do you have any other news or comments that you would like to share with your fans?

My family always comes first and I'm proud to say that my wife and I just had our first baby so we are really proud of her and looking forward to raising her and teaching her about our love of music. I'm planning on starting my own label soon. I will be in the studio much more this year because I really feel like I'm ready to make the bombs . That's about it and just really be happy and healthy and do what I love to do the most and be humble about it.

365Mag would like to thank Behrouz for his time and answers!

___________________
Electronic Night Life
<3