Fer Zefer: Interview

March 24, 2015 – Culture, Interesting people interviews

I had the pleasure of interviewing Fer Zefer the man behind Life Festival, one of the most recognized festivals in Ireland. Not only is he a greatly talented and respected DJ, He is responsible for the unforgettable nights at District 8, introducing Dublin to the finest and top international DJ’s.

I, among many others are true admirers of his musical talent and personality, and so I would like to present to you, Fernando Mass!


District 8

IN A COUPLE OF LINES, TELL US, WHO IS FERNANDO MASS?

My real name is Fernando Tomás, Fernando Mass is my one of my alter egos, it is the dj name I use to play techno, house and everything in the middle ( apart from Psytrance, for what I still keep the name dj Zefer).

WHICH ARTIST INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN BECOMING A DJ?

I remember as if it was yesterday the very first remix I made, it was of the Kraftwerk’s ‘Musique non Stop’. I made it using a typical 80’s Sanyo Dual Cassette deck and I was 13 years old. I still haven’t got tired of listening to the ‘Electric Cafe’ album (boing boom tshack…boing..).

WHAT OR WHO WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR VERY FIRST FESTIVAL?

Inspiration came at another festival, actually the very first proper festival I would have attended. That festival was the formerly called VOOV festival in Germany. It was mainly a psychedelic festival, and I felt that someone had to do something like this in Ireland, so I talked to couple of friends, did not think much about it and within few months the first Life was born, and yes, as the legend says, at the beginning it was a psyfestival.

WHAT GIVES YOU MORE PLEASURE, ORGANIZING FESTIVALS/ GIGS OR PLAYING IN FRONT OF A CROWD? AND WHY?

Actually what gives me more pleasure is attending as a normal punter, festivals are an amazing experience to be shared with old and new friends. I am more a community person than a society one.Festivals are community.I believe in community more than in society. Each person must find its own community and festivals are the perfect place to meet mind liked people.

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE LIFE FESTIVAL IN BRAZIL TO LIFE FESTIVAL IN IRELAND?

They are 2 different beasts. The festivals’ culture is different. They are more used to an 18 hours non stop festivals almost every weekend. The length of Life festival Brazil ( 3 days) was a novelty in the area. It was well enough received and many people came and camp with us but that is not the norm there.

Life festival 1

SO LIFE FESTIVAL TURNS 10 YEARS, HOW EXCITED ARE YOU ABOUT THIS? ANYTHING BIG PLAN FOR THIS?

Yes of course loads of things planned, But you will need to be there to see them 🙂

SINCE LAST YEAR, YOU HAVE INTRODUCED SOME OF THE FINEST TECHNO DJ’S TO DISTRICT 8, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT SO FAR?

Practically all the gigs have been amazing, Surgeon, Kerri Chandler, Kolsh, Mano le Tough,Nina Kraviz … too many to choose, but if I have to choose one show I would choose Rodhad’s. We have a special love for him as he was the very first act playing at District 8.

HOW DID DISTRICT 8 COME ABOUT? AND WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM DISTRICT 8 IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

Since the closure of the old RedBox, there was a gap in Dublin. A big size venue with the look of a warehouse was needed. Martin Smyth, Neil Burke and myself sat down and decided to set up a venue that could fill that gap and where the music and just the music was the main star. A good Soundsystem, a few strobe lights, loads of black paint ( and a fantastic team of promoters, engineers and designers behind it ) was all we needed. District 8 has been a big success from day one and the fact that it is a club that doesn’t open every single weekend but just when we have something very good to offer, makes the whole D8 experience even more interesting and attractive. Every 4 months we close a season and we start a new one. New designs, some changes on the stage and/or the venue to be expected for every new season.

Rodhad District 8

YOURSELF & REZA MAHDAVI ARE BEHIND THE GROUP MODUSE! WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC?

It started as a deep house project but the next releases are going to be a bit more rhythmic than melodic or vocal orientated, more techno than house. Watch this space 😉

DO YOU STILL ASPIRE IN BECOMING A HEADLINE ACT FOR SOME OF EUROPE’S OR SOUTH AMERICAS TOP FESTIVALS?

Not really, as a punter I aspire to fully enjoy as many top festivals as I can not only in Europe or SA but all over the world. ( Next stop BurningMan)

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM COLLABORATION? 

Playing a Back to Back 10 hours set with Ricardo Villalobos at a house party in Dublin on a Sunday morning. I think we could do a good collaboration there 🙂