COVER STORY


DARIUS SYROSSIAN: A LIFE DEDICATED TO ELECTRONIC MUSIC


Darius Syrossian is one of the most respected names in the electronic scene, and his career is a reflection of his dedication and genuine love for music in its purest form. From his beginnings working in record stores to becoming a renowned artist with residencies at Ibi- za’s most iconic clubs, Darius has traveled a path that has led him to be a benchmark, both in the booth and with his record label. With a passion that dates back to the 90s and an unwavering commitment to musi- cal authenticity, Darius has connected with audiences around the world, conveying in each set the essence of classic house and techno, with energy that transcends generations.


His style is a blend of house, techno, and irresistible grooves, influenced by the iconic Chicago and Detroit scenes. Darius is known for his ability to keep the dan- cefloor in constant motion, without following passing trends and always staying true to his sound. This spi- rit of authenticity is also reflected in his label, Moxy Muzik, where he promotes diverse genres, from house to minimal and garage, with a special inclination for music that conveys soul and energy. The vision behind Moxy Muzik is to offer the audience a sound experience that transcends styles and genres, while also preser- ving the vinyl format in a predominantly digital era.


Throughout this interview, the 4 times nominated for DJ Mag Best of British Awards and also a winner in 2014 for Best Resident DJ Category as a resident of Tribal Sessions shared his beginnings in the industry, his experience in Ibiza residencies, the vision that sus- tains Moxy Muzik, and his perspective on what it means to be an authentic DJ. With over 15 years of experience and countless stories in his career, Darius also offered valuable advice for emerging artists, showing the way forward for those looking to establish themselves in a competitive and constantly evolving field.


For those who want to delve deeply into the life of a DJ who has graced the world’s largest platforms and clubs, this interview with Darius Syrossian reveals the mindset, work, and passion that has brought him to where he is today. Below, we present the dialogue in which Darius speaks, in his own words, about the key moments of his career and the philosophy that guides his professional life.


BEGINNINGS IN THE INDUSTRY AND THE BIG BREAK


Darius began his career in record stores, an environ- ment that shaped his perspective and allowed him to acquire extensive musical knowledge.


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“I have so many memories from those days. I remember that in the 90s when there was no Internet or CDJs, I would go to raves and hear tracks like ‘Professional Widow’ for the first time. We didn’t have Shazam, so I had to go up close to see the vinyl; I only saw the Van Helden remix, Tori Amos. The next day I faxed the distri- butor and ordered 200 copies because I knew it would be a hit,” Darius recalled, describing the excitement of that era.


“I sold vinyl to people like Honeyluv Dijon, Derrick Car- ter, and loads of the big US DJs who would fly in from America. Working in a record shop for 15 years is Huge, both for the vast musical knowledge I have now but also for shaping me as a DJ and a producer because being around music constantly for 9 hours a day helped me understand electronic music & how it connects with people”.


Breaking through as a DJ was no easy feat for Da- rius Syrossian. After 15 years working in record shops, he was no stranger to the music scene, having pla- yed alongside legends like Jeff Mills and other nota- ble house and techno artists. Yet, despite his skill and passion, he hadn’t achieved the kind of international recognition he aspired to. Reflecting on his journey, Darius shared,


“The big breakthrough was finally when I was asked to play the main room of Sankeys, warming up for Steve Lawler about 15 years ago.”


This moment became a game-changer, not just be- cause of the opportunity itself, but because it was a chance to showcase his productions, tracks he’d craf- ted specifically to get noticed by top DJs.


That night, the club was packed, and as the crowd fi- lled every corner of Sankeys, Darius dropped a series of his productions just before Lawler took over the decks.


“I remember Steve, who I’d never met before, was asking me what these tracks were and kept saying he loved all the music I was playing but also how I was setting the room up perfectly for him,” he recalled.


Lawler was so impressed that he took Darius’s tracks, then on CDs, to test them out during his sets. A few days later, Darius received an email from Lawler saying that he’d played the tracks at Space Ibiza’s “We Love Space” night and that they’d “blown the roof off.” Not only did Lawler love the tracks, but he also extended an offer that would change Darius’s life:


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