Ten questions with DJ Ale Maes, spinning Octane Party on Friday

“I went crazy with the production of Game of Thrones. Dexter was another great show. Beat, a German production about a famous techno club in Berlin, (is a favorite, too).”

"Texas barbecue."

“In presentations of over 6 hours I usually take some cereal bars, apples and lots of water.”

“Between one track and another, it is possible to go to the bathroom.”

“I have a degree in industrial design from Mackenzie University in São Paulo. I have worked in this area for many years and I continue to develop some projects.”

“All gig’s are special to me, but something I’ve always wanted to do is Real Bad in San Francisco. This year after I won the auditions, I will have the opportunity to make that dream come true, on September 29, during Folsom 2019. It will be a 9-hout set (8 p.m. to 5a.m.), something extremely exciting and challenging.”

“Octane Party is very special to me as it is my first DJ residency in the U.S. It’s beautiful to see how Octane Party has grown year after year, a victory for all of us. Through Dan Tran’s hard work, Octane is becoming bigger and bigger.”

“It is beautiful to see the music with different echoes due to the cultural differences of each country. In Brazil, due to the large mass that frequents the clubs on weekends (clubs with capacity for 5,000), it may be necessary to have music with a lot of energy and drums. Vocals in Portuguese you see a lot in Brazil, something that years ago did not exist. Living the American music culture, DJs here need to pay attention to what is being heard there before any gig. Here in the U.S., we can make a straighter sound with few vocals and more intense, works great here. Some of my friends (who are) DJs love to come to the US because they can make a different sound, and playing music that is generally not very well accepted in Brazil.”

“It is very difficult to say what you have to do to get featured. The market is full of DJs trying to find their place, and there are different ways to do that. I think it is extremely important to: compose good sets, spreading your work en masse, working with the audience honestly and kindly. Also, attending the club you want to play is important. Plus, many hours of work, research, and a desire to win. Never, ever give up on your dreams because if you really want, you will get there.”

“I’m not a superstitious guy. I believe in God and to me this is not a superstition. If you do good for people, it will come back to you.”