Courtesy Justin Martin
After San Francisco-based DJ Justin Martin made his Meow Wolf debut last summer, he realized he wanted to make the place a recurring stop. Earlier this month, he proved his admiration for the art exhibit by announcing a new residency at Meow Wolf (9 pm Saturday Feb. 24. $22. 1352 Rufina Circle, 395-6369). In doing so, he makes Santa Fe his first stop outside of his hometown during his 2018 tour.
So, you've played at many big clubs and festivals—what made Meow Wolf so memorable that you wanted to come back and make it a residency?
Honestly, I was blown away. My jaw dropped. The first time that I played there, I had no idea what I was getting myself into other than having seen the pictures online. It's so much more than a club. It really is a collective of creative individuals and the music is just a small part of it. To be a part of that is just really special. For me, I'm always trying to push my creative boundaries. It's so much more than just the music. It's about the vibe and the way you feel when you're there. I'm so used to going to play the same old bottle service nightclubs, and it's really nice to see something that's different, where people think outside of the box and try to create an atmosphere that's just different than your typical club. It's important to work with positive people that are trying to do something different and this place, for me, is the pinnacle of that.
What are you trying to do with your music?
I'm always trying to push my creativity to be able to push many boundaries. I've never been really one to follow current trends that go on in dance music. I try to make stuff that is sonically pleasing and has a nice emotion to it while having a little bit of grit and that bass that moves people on the dance floor. If I can capture that juxtaposition between something that's got a little bit of edge and some rawness to it but also make feel a certain way, like emotionally, then I feel like I am following the right path with where I want to go with my music.
For those not into dance or house music, why should they give you a chance?
My music is not your typical electronic music. I try to play music that has influences from all kinds of different genres, whether it be like soul, funk or jazz—or, you know, like different genres of electronic music like drum and bass and techno and house. The whole idea for me as a DJ, as an artist, is I want people to have fun. I want people smiling. I want people dancing. So, I'm just trying to create an atmosphere that all people can relate to.
