MÈZ conducts his parties
One of our favorite DJs in L.A. talks TRASH.
Words by Trash
Photos by CPFC Studio
MÈZ (@spacecowboymez) is a DJ and party producer in Los Angeles known for his epic, jubilant sets.
After DJing the WOW party TRASH sponsored in L.A. last month, MÈZ sat down to tell TRASH about the evolution of his practice as a DJ, who he considers his musical idol and his favorite parts of nightlife culture.
After DJing the WOW party TRASH sponsored in L.A. last month, MÈZ sat down to tell TRASH about the evolution of his practice as a DJ, who he considers his musical idol and his favorite parts of nightlife culture.
WHAT’S THE MOST RANDOM PLACE YOU’VE DISCOVERED NEW MUSIC?
An Apple commercial.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NIGHTLIFE CULTURE YOU CONTRIBUTE TO?
Freeing, energetic, celebratory.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THE MUSIC YOU PLAY?
Nostalgic and euphoric.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START AS A DJ?
I’d say I got my start on the dance floors, I think every DJ should start that way. I knew what I wanted to hear when I was out there and now I can build a platform to play it for other people. It’s exciting. Queer parties like Ostbahnhof and Battle Hymn have definitely shaped my sound. When I hear a good track, I usually imagine myself playing it at one of those parties. If I can visualize it there, I know it’s a banger.
WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL IDOLS AND WHY?
Honey Dijon is my main idol when it comes to DJ’ing. I spent a long time not knowing what my passion in this life was, but after seeing her perform for the first time, I immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do. The party was Battle Hymn in New York. To this day, I have never seen a DJ who can take control of a crowd the way that she does. I aspire to be at that level in my skills one day … I know I will.
An Apple commercial.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE NIGHTLIFE CULTURE YOU CONTRIBUTE TO?
Freeing, energetic, celebratory.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE THE MUSIC YOU PLAY?
Nostalgic and euphoric.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START AS A DJ?
I’d say I got my start on the dance floors, I think every DJ should start that way. I knew what I wanted to hear when I was out there and now I can build a platform to play it for other people. It’s exciting. Queer parties like Ostbahnhof and Battle Hymn have definitely shaped my sound. When I hear a good track, I usually imagine myself playing it at one of those parties. If I can visualize it there, I know it’s a banger.
WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL IDOLS AND WHY?
Honey Dijon is my main idol when it comes to DJ’ing. I spent a long time not knowing what my passion in this life was, but after seeing her perform for the first time, I immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do. The party was Battle Hymn in New York. To this day, I have never seen a DJ who can take control of a crowd the way that she does. I aspire to be at that level in my skills one day … I know I will.
WHAT’S THE BEST EVENT YOU’VE EVER PLAYED?
Ostbahnhof, hands down. I’ve played for bigger crowds, but the energy at that party is unmatched. There’s nothing better for a DJ than feeling like everyones actually listening to what you’re doing. At Ostbahnhof, I not only felt like people were listening, but connecting. I was communicating with them through the speakers and they were communicating with me by tearing up the dance floor. It was magical.
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM DJ GIG?
My dream changes as I achieve certain goals. At first it was to play Ostbahnhof, but now I’ve done that. Now it’s to go back to New York and stand where Honey Dijon stood and play for the scene that I initially came up in; I hope I will soon. After that… Berlin?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT NIGHTLIFE CULTURE IN L.A.?
That you never know what kind of night you’re going to have when you leave the house. You could end up at a random house party with some of the coolest people or end up back home at 1:30 a.m. mad that you went out in the first place – that’s the magic! It makes the good nights that much more fun.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE LEAST ABOUT NIGHTLIGHT CULTURE IN L.A.?
I got my start partying in New York. Not only do the clubs there close later, but there’s a much wilder, “anything goes” energy that I wish we saw more in L.A. It definitely exists, but only in certain spaces. Usually illegal ones.
WHAT MOVIE HAVE YOU WATCHED THE MOST IN YOUR LIFE?
White Chicks. My mom had the DVD when it first came out and one year I got a DVD player for Christmas. It was the only thing I wanted to watch. I still watch it all the time. People hate watching it with me though because I will quote every single word.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT DJING?
To DJ, I think you have to have an innate love for partying and the culture, so I do like to go out with friends and hear other DJ’s. I also love a chill night in with friends eating thai and watching Euphoria.
Ostbahnhof, hands down. I’ve played for bigger crowds, but the energy at that party is unmatched. There’s nothing better for a DJ than feeling like everyones actually listening to what you’re doing. At Ostbahnhof, I not only felt like people were listening, but connecting. I was communicating with them through the speakers and they were communicating with me by tearing up the dance floor. It was magical.
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM DJ GIG?
My dream changes as I achieve certain goals. At first it was to play Ostbahnhof, but now I’ve done that. Now it’s to go back to New York and stand where Honey Dijon stood and play for the scene that I initially came up in; I hope I will soon. After that… Berlin?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT NIGHTLIFE CULTURE IN L.A.?
That you never know what kind of night you’re going to have when you leave the house. You could end up at a random house party with some of the coolest people or end up back home at 1:30 a.m. mad that you went out in the first place – that’s the magic! It makes the good nights that much more fun.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE LEAST ABOUT NIGHTLIGHT CULTURE IN L.A.?
I got my start partying in New York. Not only do the clubs there close later, but there’s a much wilder, “anything goes” energy that I wish we saw more in L.A. It definitely exists, but only in certain spaces. Usually illegal ones.
WHAT MOVIE HAVE YOU WATCHED THE MOST IN YOUR LIFE?
White Chicks. My mom had the DVD when it first came out and one year I got a DVD player for Christmas. It was the only thing I wanted to watch. I still watch it all the time. People hate watching it with me though because I will quote every single word.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT DJING?
To DJ, I think you have to have an innate love for partying and the culture, so I do like to go out with friends and hear other DJ’s. I also love a chill night in with friends eating thai and watching Euphoria.
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Cargo Collective 2017 — Frogtown, Los Angele