[My Weekender]: with DJ Canti

Pulling out all the stops with DJ Canti - Jun 12, 09

DJ Canti is a Spanish DJ who works for a Spanish Events company called XPT. They do awesome parties at clubs around China. Check out their webpage here.

Ricardo Ortiz del Rio Carrisoza hmm typical Spanish name from Madrid. 34 years old -- has a daughter Aida, 7 years old, and girlfriend Olga.

Profession: DJ. Professional name: DJ Canti -- don't ask, it's a nickname from his childhood and too hard to explain in English.

Works for XPT Entertainment Group which just happens to be owned by his two brothers. Been in China on and off for the last three years frequented 100 cities 1000 nightclubs around China.

Before China 10 years on the party island Ibiza doing the local circuit Amnesia, El Divino's and just living life to the fullest.

Weekend? What weekend?

Tuesday morning 11am I get this telephone call (Yes I'm still in bed) after Djing till the early hours of the morning. I try to pretend what the person on the other side is trying to say (DJ CANTI DJ CANTI) yeah yeah that's me and I swiftly pass over to my girlfriend Olga.

English is not Olga's first language so we contact my brother in-law from New Zealand and here we are trying to write something without loosing your interest.

After the early awakening (Ok, for me it's early) Olga's up and about making us breakfast, Pipa our cat is screaming for attention and soon after I¡¯m off to the XPT Office.

There I meet up with the other 2 resident Dj's. Juan (Madrid) Lexxxus (Russia) and we discuss this weeks gigs. Who's djing where? What style of music? And who¡¯s got any new sounds that maybe of interest? I'm happy with my gigs Two Recreation Club Shanghai Wednesday, BM Club Shanghai Thursday, Baidu in (Yiwu) Friday and Wujiang, Saturday.

09:00pm: I'm rushing to get showered changed and ready to catch the company bus to work.

10:00pm: At the club, the dancers are changing. One of the best things about the job is seeing all these half naked girls getting dressed in front of you (Not a blink of the eye it's all so normal for them). Drinks arrive nothing better then a few swigs of alcohol to calm those nerves.

10:40pm: It's my cue and I'm escorted by the big butch security to my work station (The Decks).

10:45pm: My first is the entrance to the 7 dancers and performers -- 2 girls are from Russia and the rest are from Spain or Latin America. It's Showtime. I've worked with this group a few times and they just know how to wow that crowd. They don't stop there they work that crowd dancing, drinking and photo's with the clients and, more importantly, fill the dance floor. The Chinese crowd are loving it, they might not be the best of dancers but they sure enjoy themselves...

So I drop "Who Stole My Lollipop" -- it's a crowd pleaser.

12:45am: My set finishes and after many drinks and too many cigarettes, I've had another successful night.

Thursday, it's BM Club. I've heard it's one of the many clubs that has joined the MT Group. Looking forward to this gig. I was there before when it was "Elite Club." I'm told it's had a face lift since then. Tonight's theme is "Ice on Fire", one of XPT's new Lead Lighting shows.

Friday, I'm off to Baidu in Yiwu, one of the many of the Baidu chain. Baidu Clubs are always a bit of a challenge -- need to pull out all the stops: Chinese music, MCing, my light and laser show, and CD giveaways.

Saturday, it's Wujiang -- a first for me so will have to see how that goes.

You can find me at the new chic haunt Mojo 888 @ 888 Changping Lu. I'm not Djing but I'll be enjoying their fresh cocktails and, who knows, maybe I'll be driven home on their VIP Limousine.

Check me out on the web at www.djcanti.com or www.xptshanghai.com.

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