Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Saludes.
Hi Alex, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all started in the early 2000’s. In high school, I was fascinated by the Dj culture. A couple of friends and I got the little money we had and pieced together a modest DJ set up. We would spend our allowance money on vinyl records. I learned to beat match and the basics of Dj’ing.
I started to get involved in the local rave scene. My inspiration sparked after attending a party and seeing Mark Farina Dj for the first time. His mixture of funky, disco, deep house was what captivated me. And ever since then, I’ve been a huge fan of house music.
During my college years, I had a part-time job with allowed me to save some money to buy my own equipment. I would Practice almost every day honing my skills, Recording my sessions and listening back. Once I felt comfortable with my skills, I began to Burn my sets onto CD’s. I would pass them out to friends and to people that were in the party scene. Getting booked for party’s was not an easy task. Luckily I had friends that were already doing at events and local clubs on a regular basis.
My first booking I landed was at a small bar in Tijuana Mexico. It was ran by a local Promoter that was a big part of the rave scene down there. I must of done something right because he kept on booking me for other events. From 2002-2004, I was on heavy rotation with events down in Tijuana, Rosarito, and Ensenada. Became a resident DJ for one of the biggest underground event promoters in Baja.
Around 2006 I began my transition to Dj in San Diego, I was a rotating DJ at The Onyx room in the gas lamp. I also was getting booked at local underground events and Playing at various lounges and restaurants in Down Town San Diego. Made a lot of connections with promoters and Dj’s, with would help me in the later year.
From 2007-2011, I took a hiatus from DJ’ing and the Party scene. I started a business during this time and decided that was more important than music. I couldn’t get it out of my system for too long. Around 2011 I reconnected with an old friend (Jeremiah Roa) and decided to start a new project. We decided to form a DJ duo, and this is when Boys Don’t Disco was formed.
We linked up with Lovelife party from the beginning became their Residents Dj’s from 2012 to 2014.
Around 2014 we got invited to open for a friend of ours at the original Bang Bang. Little to our knowledge, it was ran by FNGRS CRSSD. They dug our style of music and kept inviting us to play for them. Spring 2015 was the birth of CRSSD Fest, we were invited to be part of the now iconic Festival. Solidifying us as Resident DJ’s for FNGRS CRSSD.
During 2015 I linked up with Paul Najera and Junior Quijada to give birth to our Music Label Late Night Jackin. I became A&R for the label and also learned music production from my label partners. Ever since we’ve become a family and are still going strong, releasing our 80th EP on LNJ later this year.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all smooth. Then again nothing comes easy, specially in the music industry. In the early parts of my career, getting people to give you a chance to Dj at events was hard.
Luckily I made good connections that till this day are what helped me flourish.
Recently a very big challenge was going on my own. As I mentioned before BDD started as a duo with my friend Jeremiah Roa and myself. Due to personal challenges, Jeremiah had to step away from the duo. I decided to continue with the Artist name even though I’m a solo artist now.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the A&R for our record label Late Night Jackin. Best known for being a resident DJ for FNGRS CRSSD. I guess I’m most proud of the longevity of my career if you can call it that. I’ve always just looked at it as a hobby. I feel privileged that I’m still around making people dance.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Not to sound corny but “Without risk there’s no reward”. I feel like when I took the hiatus for those years earlier in my career. I risked not doing what brings me joy and lets me be creative. The reward was I started my business. Which has given me the financial security to return to doing my music hobby. I guess it’s come to a full circle.
Contact Info:
- Email: boysdontdisco@gmail.com
- Instagram: @boysdontdisco
- Facebook: facebook.com/boysdontdisco
- Twitter: @BoysDontDisco
- Youtube: youtube.com/latenightjackinrecordings
- SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/boysdontdisco
Image Credits
Last picture was taken by the CRSSD FEST Media team.
