Always Originate Never Imitate with DJ Trent Cantrelle

Phanganist Pal Randy Seidman kindly introduced us to Trent Cantrelle.

Trent is headlining Jungle Experience on June the 18th so we found out what we can expect...

Hey Trent so are you looking forward to coming to Koh Phangan?
Hey Em, yes very much! I have been researching so much about Koh Phangan lately it seems like heaven on earth.

Have you been before or what have you heard?
Honestly not very much other than the big full moon parties and such. But after seeing the beautiful pictures and amazing scenery I could tell it is much much more.

So tell us a bit about your background as a dj...
Being a DJ is something I have done for the majority of my life. I started in the early 90's at the age of thirteen, fresh into high school.

Back then it was a lot of hip hop parties, weddings, proms, school dances, you name it. Running from gig to gig with a truck full of speakers and records on the weekends while going to school all week.

Little did I know this would lead to another avenue which I would discover shortly later. Around the time high school was ending I started going to my first raves and nightclubs where I discovered electronic music. Needless to say it changed my life forever and saw DJing as an art and craft. It's been a
long ride since then with plenty of accolades along the way with touring and releasing records around the globe.

It's the only life I have ever known and to this day still have the same passion as when I started.

What have you been up to already this year?
The usual, making a lot of music for various labels and playing shows. I am most excited about my radio show I started at the end of last year called Sounds Like Radio. It's been a dream of mine since I was little to do a weekly radio show.

We launched on Sirius XM here in the US last November and since syndicated to many other markets and continents worldwide.

There is something very special about radio versus playing an event where the curation is centered around great music more for listening pleasure, rather making people dance. I get to explore more avenues and try new things I would not get to in a nightclub or festival.

You're playing Jungle Experience, has Randy Seidman filled you in on how awesome it is?
He has been raving about this event for years and I am lucky enough to finally get to experience it.

Doorly, another good friend of mine, also raves about the Jungle Experience.

From what I can tell it has a lot of Burning Man elements with the look, feel, fashion, vibes. I cannot wait to experience it first hand because pictures and stories can only do so much.

What will you bring that is unique to Jungle?
I have tried to research as much as I could about the event leading up to get a sense of the vibe and sound. I feel I will fit right in musically but since this is a special place and event, I will try and bring something special too.

Rather explain, I think it's best to just come on the 18th and find out.

What are your main projects for the rest of the year?
I have been lucky as of late to release music on some of my favorite labels, Mood Records Nicole Moudabers label, Yoshitoshi (Original home to Deep Dish), Toolroom and more.

With more music coming out, plus new labels, expect a lot of new sounds for the rest of 2016.

And of course touring as much as possible.

What would you say to aspiring djs hoping to play around the world?
As important as music production is to get your name out there, learning the craft of DJing is the most important I feel.

There is a true art behind it all that I think most people miss. Getting out there, playing every gig you can, learning from every experience is the real way to better the craft.

Also never don't worry about what everyone else is playing or doing. It might work for a time, but if you do not find that thing that makes you special and stand out, you will get lost in the herd.

And leave us with your music philosophy....
Originate, never imitate.