DJ MAX

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Name?

My real name is Dario Liberati but my artist one is DJ MAX.

Age?

 Well, for some time now, the only category that I can choose when booking a flight is “18+” :)

Where are you from?

I live in Venice, Italy.

My great grandfather came to Zagreb, Croatia as an Italian diplomat and I was born there after two generations. It’s where I grew up and became a DJ with a significant impact on the development of the Croatian clubbing scene. My Welcome To The Club weekly radio show series, established in 1996, is still going strong on Croatian National Public Radio.

During the Pandemic, I decided to change some things in my private life and chose to come back to Italy, the country of my origins.

Why should someone who doesn’t know you listen to your music and not someone else’s?

It is always good to listen to different artists and different genres, because this is the only way you can develop your taste in music. So, I never encourage people to listen only to what I can offer. For example, I grew up listening to Funk, Disco, Rock & Roll and early House releases. When I started DJing, this knowledge helped me a lot in picking up tracks and building DJ sets, in the era when the most sophisticated piece of DJ equipment was turntable. There was no internet, no playlists, no AI suggestions, just your ears, your knowledge and your taste in music. That strong foundation, plus years of experience, gives me strength today to experiment with production and perform in front of the people with ease.

Music connects people, not divides them. So, there was never a question why me over someone else. I just welcome you to my world of music. Come to parties where I play and listen to my radio shows. Let’s have some fun together.

How do you feel when you’re DJing?

Wonderful. This is my world. World beyond material. It’s the energy that connects our minds and souls through music into something surreal. When I see smiles and satisfaction on people's faces while their bodies move to my beats I just feel wonderful. That’s why I prefer long sets and usually I’m booked for 4 hours or longer sets. Every event and every performance is another journey, another energy flows into happiness.

Your favorite musicians and songs?

 As a DJ, I am now in House, Tech House, Underground area, but if we can talk outside of the world of electronic music I will say Bootsy Collins, an outstanding bass player and vocalist. Now, when I mentioned him,  his song “I’d rather be with you” crossed my mind.

 azing. One of Ibiza’s gems that you must visit.

Everyone now is trying to save the planet, are you an activist too? 

 Activist? No. You will never see a movie where I will say “Greta, I’m your father.”

Jokes aside, we can live only on Earth and we need to be aware of that in every aspect of our lives. To live in a way to preserve our planet is our obligation.

With the big technological change happening around us. How do you see the future of the event industry?

Everything is changing constantly and a lot of things are affecting our lives… good things, bad things, politics. Above that rapid development in digital technologies attracts us to new products at enormous speed. It's an interesting and challenging time in front of us.

New technologies can help us a lot if they are used in the right way.

If we are talking about musical events, it’s clear that big festivals changed our world forever. At the same time it’s on us, the DJs, to put the music above everything else. We are the ones who need to be honest and pure hearted in order to spread the positive energy among people with our music. Without that honesty and positive energy, even the biggest events will eventually collapse.

Music is human. That is who we are.

Do you have a new project here in Ibiza?

 I have played quite a lot in Ibiza before Pandemic. For example, in 2019, among some other gigs, I had my Welcome To The Club party series at Bora Bora’s El Patio, nine consecutive Wednesdays in total. I’m glad that my performance left a positive impact and after two years of Pandemic lockdown I am continuing with my performances in Ibiza. My next gig is in OD Skybar where I’m booked for their rooftop party on August 12th (4 hour DJ Set). Their rooftop terrace is just amazing.

Last question, are you night or day?

Waking up early in the morning is just not my thing. That means I am Night. On the other hand, I love the beach, sea, boats, sun…

Well, I’m like your magazine: ND.