Saturday Night Session 017: Generik

Few moments are more sacred than the reprieve Saturday night provides from the daily grind of school and work. Its importance is meant to be emphasized, and thus, a feature dedicated to “doing the night right” was born. Saturday Night Sessions are set around energizing mixes meant to get the party started. New or old, each episode has one cornerstone thing in similarity: they serve as the perfect backdrop for the weekend pregame.

Driving down the Las Vegas strip, one may see the face of Generik gracing billboards promoting upcoming shows at Omnia and Hakkasan nightclubs. As a resident of Hakkasan group, he has landed the opening slot for Calvin Harris‘s club nights, and he headlines his own shows when he’s not opening for Harris. As one of premiere club circuits in the world, making it in Las Vegas is the mark for many as true success in the DJ world, but for Generik, it’s not a milestone he grew up dreaming of, or even really thinking about.

Born Tyson O’Brien, the Australian admits he wasn’t particularly interested in electronic music growing up thanks to his affinity for bands. After seeing 2manydjs blend dance music and bands, his interest was sparked, and his love for the genre took off from there. When he decided to start producing and DJing, he consulted with his mom about what his DJ name should be. She aptly told him to ‘make sure his DJ name wasn’t too generic!” A simple “c” swapped with a “k” later, and O’Brien’s moniker was born.

Known for his ability to enliven a club, Generik’s original productions embody just that, and latest release “Tony” has cool tech house vibes juxtaposed with silky vocals that easily get the listener’s energy up. The track is out You Do You, the producer’s own imprint that he just recently started.

Generik explains, “Tony is just a feel good club record, something to dance to, and I dare you to try and figure out the lyrics. I’ve got a bunch of music coming from myself and also on the label that I can’t wait to share!”

When it comes to his new imprint, he explains that finding new music has always been an outlet for him. Instead of keeping the music for himself, he can now sign it and put it out. As the label’s name suggests, You Do You is all about “No boundaries, no rules, just quality music!” per Generik.

“Tony” is one of the club-ready tracks featured in Generik’s Saturday Night Session mix, and when asked what the hour long set will get listener’s ready for, he answers, “My mix is going to be full of grooves! It’s something you can put on when pre-gaming. Then once you’re home, put it on for your after party!”

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How did you choose your DJ name? Were there any other potential DJ names in contention?
My mum actually chose it kind of accidentally. I asked her what it should be and she said, ‘nothing too generic!’ So I changed a ‘c’ with a ‘k’ and yeah! At the time there weren’t any others. I guess using my real name would have been a smarter idea.

Was music always what you were going to do? Was there a point in time where your life direction looked pretty different than how it ended up now?
I was never really into dance music growing up, I was more into bands. Then I saw 2manydjs blend bands & dance music, and it all kind of clicked. I never thought I’d be a DJ when I was younger, let alone playing in Ibiza and having billboards in Las Vegas!

What is your favorite and least favorite part of this career?
Favourite part is seeing people have a good time. Looking out to a bunch of people smiling and dancing is an amazing feeling. Least favourite part is the lack of sleep, but that can also mean you’re having a great time so maybe its all good??

You recently started record label ‘You Do You.’ What inspired you to start a record label? Also, what does the name of the label encapsulate?
I’ve always loved discovering new music and I figured that instead of just keeping bomb records for myself, I should sign them and put them out! The label name is exactly what you’d think, its about the artist doing what they do! No boundaries, no rules, just quality music!

How would your friends describe you?
Always happy, the life of the party, a shit golfer and a great friend.

Wildest fan story or the story of your wildest night?
First time I went to Ibiza I ended up at this after party with a nightclub carved into a mountain called “The Kave.” It was a mental party with Ricardo Villalobos DJing. PS- always take sunglasses when going out in Ibiza you never know when you’re going to go home again hahah.

You recently released your new single “Tony”. What was the inspiration behind the single? Can we expect more music from you soon?
Tony is just a feel good club record, something to dance to, and I dare you to try and figure out the lyrics. I’ve got a bunch of music coming from myself and also on the label that I can’t wait to share!!!

Favorite and least favorite thing about living in LA?
LA is a melting pot for creativity. There are so many people flying in and out that you can work with! Least favourite is traffic. My god the traffic.

What kind of a Saturday Night is your Saturday Night Session mix going to get us ready for?
My mix is going to be full of grooves! It’s something you can put on when pre-gaming. Then once you’re home, put it on for your after party!