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A Preston DJ is running industry socials in the city.
Jason Marx, who was born in Preston and grew up and lives in Bamber Bridge, started DJing aged just 15.
Speaking to Blog Preston, Jason said: “I learnt to DJ so I could crash more house parties. I later became a club DJ after getting disqualified from a competition at Lava and Ignite because I was underage – then when I was 18 they gave me a job. I left college, didn’t go to university and became a full time DJ.
“Since then I’ve worked in Greece, Spain and Croatia. I’ve supported Gok Wan, Craig Charles and MK. I also host my own podcast called the Funk Foundation.”
After working in nightlife for 13 years, and performing over 1,500 times across the UK, Jason is now hoping to create a community for DJs and other creatives through Preston DJ Social.
Jason said: “Preston DJ Social is about bringing together people in an isolated career and improving mental health.
“My aim is to get creatives from different experience levels in the same room, making friends and supporting each other. I’d like to help DJs from across the county develop themselves creatively outside of commercial DJ work.
“Long term, I’m trying to kick start an underground music scene in the city by developing a community of DJs, promoters and events spaces.”
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Jason has firsthand experience of the importance of social contact after having what he describes as a “mental health wobble” during lockdown.
Jason said: “When I left counselling, part of the aftercare regime was to actively improve my social life by developing hobbies and making friends.
“I gave a few things a whack, like Thai boxing, hiking, bouldering, wild water swimming, drawing… I even tried dance classes at one point.
“Some stuff stuck, some didn’t – but when I attended Our House Your House’s DJ hangouts at Joshua Brooks in Manchester, I instantly hit it off with people. I made loads of new friends and decided to ask Emma the promoter to help me bring them to Preston.”
The first Preston DJ Social took place at Roper Hall in May, with a follow up session in June. Jason said he’s loving the opportunity to see people coming together for the events.
“Having worked in nightlife for many years, I know loads of really sound, talented people,” said Jason. “But we’re like ships in the night and it can quite a lonely career choice so it’s been amazing to see everyone in a room together having a laugh.
“Working in the commercial side of the industry, it’s brilliant to see specialist event DJs, nightclub DJs and DJs who are just just starting out all expressing themselves, not worrying about dance floor control, vibe, music policy or chart position.
“It takes me back to when I first started in my bedroom going back to back with my mates, I honestly love it.”
Looking ahead, Jason has big plans for the longer-term future.
“I believe Preston is on the cusp of some form of really exciting change when it comes to the city’s identity. There’s so much buzz from people out there and I really believe in putting people in a room and seeing what happens.
“I’d love to see more events like this for painters, writers, photographers, singers, musicians, free runners, BMXers and anyone else creative and expressive. We could all team up once a year to rent out a giant space and fill it with talent from all over Lancashire, inspiring each other.”
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Jason himself is looking to others for inspiration of what could be.
“Stormzy headlined Glastonbury in 2019 but it took two decades of work from Wiley, Skepta, Kano, Dizzee, JME, P Money and everyone else who performed in and supported that scene to turn grime into the internationally understood genre it is today.
“It’s the same with punk, house, rock ‘n roll, etc. When people leave this city to take on the world I want them to start from a higher point than they do now – more acts, more culture, bigger gigs, interesting scenes and a network of mentors.
“At the moment it’s a load of oddballs daydreaming in a room and to everyone else this may sound pie in the sky. But there’s not a creative person out there who doesn’t pick up a pen, a mic, a guitar a paintbrush or a pair of headphones who doesn’t think of something bigger than their immediate surroundings when they do it.
“So, leave the dreaming to us and we’ll see where the city is in ten years.”
The next Preston DJ Social will take place at Chew’s Yard on Sunday 18 August.
For more information and updates, follow @prestondjsocial on Instagram.
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This story was made possible by support from you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, send details to [email protected].
