Welcome to another edition of Discovery Sessions, this week I’m happy to present to you another talent his name is Jacques Cousteau. I had the pleasure of seeing him at one of his events inside Create Nightclub a couple of weeks ago and invited him to take part in this project of ours. Check out what he has to say in our questionnaire and find his Discovery Sessions down below! Enjoy!
So_Cal_Edm_Events (SCEE): Thank you for taking the time to answer this interview let’s start off simple what is your name?
Jacques Cousteau (JC): I was born Theodore Alexander Brown, my nickname is Teddy.
SCEE: What do you go by?
JC: I go by the name of Jacques Cousteau since 2013 before that I went under several names before ending up with this one. I was formerly J.O.C. but John O’Callaghan was dubbed with that name. So under the direction of DJ YO-C I changed the name to Jacques Cousteau.
SCEE: Are you from southern California? If not where are you from?
JC: I am not from southern California. I have lived here in SoCal for the past 10 years. I am originally from a small town in upstate New York called Poughkeepsie in a subsection district known as Arlington bordering Vassar College and IBM Headquarters.
SCEE: And what genre of electronic music do you play?
JC: I play a sound I would like to call Luxury House, which is a mixture of French House, which is almost always the foundation of my sound. I add a little bit of Tech House. I sprinkle in Indie House sparingly. A dash of Nu Disco combined with house music. Then the cherry alamode Deep House. Which combined creates a very Luxury Sound, rich, deep bass lines with soul & funk for days. Some have called it the Luxury Funk of Jacques Cousteau. Essential Mix quality track selection and execution.
SCEE: How long have you been producing/Djing?
JC: I have been producing since 2010 with electronic music and formerly with rock since 1998. I have been DJing since 1994 I started on cassettes then cd then vinyl in 1998.
SCEE: What inspired you to become a producer?
JC: I would have to say that being around my Friend Mark Lamorg from Streetlab in Junior College seeing him make tracks with propeller head software. Also the chemical brothers are another huge inspiration to me. I used to be a Bass Player in a Heavy Metal Band Back in 93-94 and once I heard Setting Sun I left the metal scene in the tri state area and became immersed in dance music. Also I just hear the music in my head and had to start making it into a tangible thing.
SCEE: Who is your biggest inspiration?
JC: My Biggest Inspiration is my mother she got me into music very young and taught me how to dance at a very early age. We would dance around our basement for hours. She also taught me how to memorize title and artist of a song. She helped me identify bands by there sound. She had strong opinions about music and through that I built a standard by which I pick music to this day. My brother is another huge inspiration he was making mix tapes while I was in Kindergarten. He also turned me onto Hall and Oates, EPMD, Madonna, Peter Gabriel and The Beastie Boys among other great artists that influence me to this day; he called himself DJ Quick Brown Fox. My sister is also another major influence of mine. She would sneak into the Limelight NYC when she was 16 and tell me all these crazy stories of what goes on. She also opened my eyes and ears to a whole other world that existed. So from 12 years old all I wanted to do was go clubbing and hear dance music.
SCEE: Do you have any residencies locally?
JC: I currently work with a few groups within Los Angeles regularly and hold residency with them.
SCEE: What has been the biggest festival/Club you’ve played at? How was that experience? Was it memorable? What would you change?
JC: The Biggest Club I have played is Exchange La so far. That was the most amazing and exciting experience in my life. It was a dream come true, bucket list dream come true type deal. It was one of the most exciting and memorable nights of my life and I would not trade it for anything I dropped a set so Fuego even I was blown away at how smooth it went for 90 minutes!
SCEE: Where do you plan on being in five years career wise?
JC: In Five Years I plan on having an entire stage show that will blow peoples minds when it comes to their city and tour regularly as well as releasing entire albums of original tunes.
SCEE: A lot of people will be reading this article, if you could tell them something about yourself to maybe support you what would you say?
JC: If you come to my show you will see a Cosplay Artist in a translucent suit playing the most amazing music and visual experience you have ever experienced and dancing with the crowd. So different than anything you will hear and see in the Los Angeles scene. You may buy a $20 ticket but I am going to give you a $100 performance every time! I will take you on a magical Journey leaving you wanting more every time! Someone who unselfishly makes everything for the intention of making you have they best night of your life and dance your ass off. Just think of me as the guy who doesn’t make the party, he makes the party better by playing the best sound track you will ever hear. I pride myself on my musical selection and unique style that you don’t really hear anymore. Breaking new tunes, which you have not heard before. I am a man who followed his dreams and gives it 110% every show!
SCEE: We have a great deal of followers following us, what would you tell the people who are going to hear this to expect from your mini mix?What do you want to them to take note of?
JC: You are going to hear something dramatically different than your everyday mix you are going to hear an artist at work. I am going to take you on a voyage in my submarine. You will experience a magical journey into the foreign waters.
Take note of the 80’s Influence, funky bass lines as well as the sick drums and use of real instruments carefully crafting the Luxury House funk sound of Jacques Cousteau.
SCEE: What do you do outside of music?
JC: Outside of Music I am a classically trained working actor. I have been on a few tv shows. I also edit and produce small projects on the side. As well as having a 9 to 5 job in the financial services industry.
SCEE: What do you think of the current scene? Do you think new people need to freshen up the scene?
JC: The Current scene is amazing everyone is super passionate in Los Angeles and helpful of other DJ and producers. We all get along and I love working with the local DJ and producers. Los Angeles is a super hot scene and the whole country is watching LA right now. So it’s a great time to be part of the current scene.
New people all the time are freshening up the scene. It’s just a natural cycle of the industry. I just wish people would catch on sooner to great dj and producers that are out there already. Also SCEE for spotlighting local talent.
SCEE: Finish this sentence, Music is…
JC: the one thing that can bring peace love unity and respect to the world and make the world a better place.
SCEE: Lastly we’d like to thank you for participating, for anyone interested in following you more where can they do so?
JC: Shout out to So Cal Edm Events/SCEE for allowing me to do the mini mix. So follow So Cal Edm Events.
www.soundcloud.com/ted-brown-media
twitter/instagram/youtube @tedbrownmedia
fb/MusicJacques
email inquires and bookings info@tedbrownmedia.com
Follow Jacques Cousteau on Bands in town for upcoming shows and tickets
Shout out to everyone reading and enjoying the mix
I also will be playing Create Nightclub Upstairs on Aug 29th in Hollywood, California.
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Thank you for listening! Much love to all of you!
Mario #SCEE