DJ OF THE WEEK 9.23.13: ALESSO

If you are one of those people who hates how easy it seems to be a DJ these days, the explosion of the EDM scene, and in fact cringe at the use of that acronym, then you’re really not going to like this weeks selection for DJ of The Week, Alesso.

Alesso Linblad was born in Stockholm, Sweden in July 7, 1991 making him only 21 years old. He has grown up immersed in the digital era, probably as familiar with records stores as most of us 70’s and 80’s babies are with betamax, and taking up DJing and producing was as easy for him as it was for us to record a Saturday mix show from our favorite radio station. He is now a superstar EDM DJ rocking mega clubs and festivals all over the world while rubbing elbows with the biggest names in the entire DJ and dance scene.

Alesso first began producing beats in his house when he was about 17 years old. By chance he handed a CD of his work to the father of another famous Swedish DJ, Sebastian Ingrosso who use to frequent the coffee shop Alesso’s girlfriend worked at the time. Sebastian actually listened to the CD and liked it so much he asked to meet Alesso. Sebastian was soon mentoring Alesso and eventually encouraged the burgeoning producer to learn to DJ, which of course he did; less than six months later Alesso was in Las Vegas behind the DJ booth with him.

Alesso has taken to DJing just fine, in fact 2013 was one of his biggest years yet playing at some of the biggest festivals on the planet such as Creamfields, Summerburst, Tomorrowland, Electric Zoo, The Light, and more. And to think, he is just getting started.

As much as Alesso loves DJing nowadays, producing is his first love and what he’s most known for. Beginning in 2010, he started to drop a series of chart topping singles and remixes for himself and others. One of his first big hits was ‘Nillionaire,’ there was his collab with Dirty South ‘City of Dreams,’ ‘Calling’ alongside his mentor Sebastian Ingrosso, ‘Years’ ft Matthew Koma, and two of his latest hits, his remix of One Republic’s ‘If I lose Myself,’ and yet another big collab, this one with Calvin Harris ft. Theo Hurts titled ‘Under Control,’ just to name a few.

So, being such a new jack, why select Alesso as DJ of the Week? That’s easy, because he represents the future. Hate these changes to the scene all you want, but you can’t escape change. We believe in props, not hate. Alesso represents that change and we are not shying away from it. Besides, the man is great!!