History

A long history in the music underground.

I am a dj/producer, a music lover/artist/writer and promoter who has been involved with dj culture for many years.

Like many others, hip-hop was an early influence and the catalyst that began my lifestyle where art, life and music became one. As a youngster I was drawn heavily to the hard-rock sounds of influential bands such as Queen, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, whose music was full of dramatic mystery and powerful messaging. Later I was exposed to funk, soul and Latin music through a culturally diverse group of friends and the music that was part of their daily lives. Skateboarding and BMX were always a big part of my youth and the music that went hand-in-hand with those activities shaped much of my preference.

In early 1992 after living in South America for a couple of years. I returned to dj culture. It had changed quite a bit in just a couple of years. The underground warehouse scene was haunting the night and techno and dj culture had invaded the clubs on the West Coast. I was exposed even more to house music and its devious relatives acid and techno. I began to get involved anyway I could and, after a few stints assisting with smaller clubs and parties, I began to throw my own with various partners. I’ve always tried to do something different, and didn’t care much about massive events paying the most attention to diversity in the crowd and amazing music and dj talent.

Around 1995 after many years as a mobile dj, a promoter – and most importantly as a dancer/clubgoer – I decided to start buying records and eventually, after many hours of practice, decided to play them at parties as a dj. Even though I knew a lot of people, I still had to come up like everyone else. I played house parties as much as possible and eventually – thanks to early San Diego promoters such as Franchesca (of House of Souls) and Jonathan Williams (owner of the famed SD acid jazz spot The Green Circle Bar)– started to play in clubs and underground parties.

Still looking for more and always attempting to stand out by doing different stuff, I met up with a San Fransisco transplant named Jonathan Gage. I was doing a Friday night funk jam djing with live musicians and invited Gage to come down and play. Naturally he showed up with a box of amazing records and some fellow musicians who dropped serious talent on that stage, so I wanted to work with him immediately. We formed a production company called Merge: lifeandmusic and started an event called Terranova at local Spanish restaurant Olé Madrid. The event played host to world sounds, Latin music, drum ‘n’ bass, house and various other styles. We went on to co-promote various events until I decided to pursue other interests. Gage forged ahead providing SD with amazing talent under the name Merge Events. We continued to work together (as we still do today) both with the goal of doing different things and pushing the music further.

I have been a member of Terence Toy’s House Vibes since its beginning, putting out mixtapes and playing events along with fellow djs Victor Simonelli, Doc Martin, Terence Toy, Julius Papp, Jojo Flores, Tony Largo, and many others. I was also fortunate enough to have played the legendary Does Your Mama Know afterhours numerous times before it ended its 12-year-run a few years ago. I’ve had mixtapes and CDs available in numerous stores thanks to my House Vibes affiliation; stores such as Beat Non Stop, Street Sounds, Amoeba Los Angeles, Elevator, Groove Music, Ameba on Haight San Francisco and Pure Acid mixtapes (along with its many appearances at California underground events over the years) have all carried mixes of mine.

I currently live and play regular gigs in San Diego, CA. Nightclubs, loft parties, restaurants, art galleries and hotels. Nothing is off limits as long as I can play what I want.

If you would like to work with me please contact me via email at jon@jonwesleydj.com.