Chasing the Vibe, The Emotional Journey of Joca
An intimate conversation about creativity, discipline, and staying true to the process
Joca’s story is one of patience, resilience, and deep emotional connection to music. From early trance days shaped by loss and healing, to carving out his own space in organic and progressive house, his journey reflects a commitment to honesty over hype. In this conversation, Joca opens up about grief, growth, creative struggles, and the moments that continue to fuel his passion
Hello Jordan! How are you today, and what have you been up to lately?
I’m doing pretty well. I am settled in for the winter on Salt Spring Island, just off the coast of Vancouver Island on the West Coast of Canada. I recently got back from Australia on a golf trip with some friends, and we had an amazing time, making incredible memories.
Music hasn’t been on my mind for a month or so, but Ruben Karapetyan was just in Vancouver, and I had the chance to play during the event, and it was an incredible night! There’s a great community of Sri Lankans in Vancouver who love Progressive House, and they brought Ruben in. It was also lovely to connect with and build deeper friendships with a few producers in Vancouver.
Can you briefly share when you started producing music, your first piece of equipment or software, and reflect on your early steps as a DJ and producer?
I started in early 2020, right after covid hit, but I struggled. I purchased Logic and Diva from uh-e. It wasn’t until I began coaching lessons with Dowden in 2021 that I could make music good enough to be considered. Just finishing a track was, and still is, challenging for me, as I struggle to come up with creative ideas that stick.
You started DJing back in 2003 after listening to countless Armin van Buuren and Tiesto mixes. What was it about that era and sound that immediately clicked for you?
During those years, I was lost. My dreams of playing pro golf were gone, and then I lost my brother in 2002 and then my father in 2005. I needed something in my life to provide some positive moments and happiness. Trance was introduced to me in early 2000, and I never looked back. The uplifting Trance from those years really reminded me that music is an excellent source of positive energy and emotions. Before my father passed, he built me a table to put my turntables on, and he really enjoyed the music as well. It was really cool to see him connect with a form of music I never would have thought of. My brother, as well, was taking an interest in Trance just before has passed.
In 2023, I recorded an all-vinyl mix, and although I have listened to digital versions of a few tracks over the years, creating that mix brought up a lot of sadness. It brought me back to those days when I was lost, hurting and missing my brother and father.
Did you have a mentor or take any lessons, either offline or online, that helped shape your skills over the years?
Yes, as I mentioned, Dowden has been invaluable. Alberto Hernandez from Mexico and I did a few sessions in 2022 as well. There are also lots of great YouTube videos of producers walking you through tracks to help you learn specific skills. It’s truly a fantastic community of artists who want to lift each other up and see others succeed.
Do you have a preference between producing music and DJing, or do they fulfill different needs for you creatively?
I don’t DJ much anymore. I think I played out three times this year and only recorded four mixes. Granted, I was travelling a lot. The majority of my time goes into producing. For me, creating my own music gives me a lot of pride and a sense of accomplishment.
Your mixes and live sets are known for being carefully curated around how you feel at a given moment. How do you translate emotions into a musical journey for the listener?
I curate my mixes and create a flow of tracks that reflect my daily life and how I am feeling at that time. Last night I started to map out my next mix, as it’s been almost four months. Based on this fall, the start of winter, and this latest EP, there will be some darker vibes for sure.
Through projects like your Chasing The Vibe mixes, you invite listeners into something very personal. How important is honesty and vulnerability in your artistic expression?
Very important, as I always want to share the human side of me to help listeners connect with me. I try to be as vulnerable as possible, but I also balance what I share, as it’s essential to keep some things private.
What do you consider the highlight of your career so far, both as a DJ and as a producer?
As a DJ, I have had the chance to open for Tim Green, Khen, and Roy Rosenfeld, along with my friend Victoria Bastian Garcia, over the last two years, and it has been rewarding. Back in 2008, I opened for Andy Moor and really enjoyed that night.
But recording my Chasing The Vibe mixes and having them played all over the world means a lot to me. Every so often, I receive some positive private messages from people saying how much they appreciate the series. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I learnt one of my love languages is words of affirmation, so when people provide that feedback for me, it feels really nice!
As a producer, it was no doubt hearing Nicolas Rada play my remix for Phillopsher’s The Etheral Path on Kodai at Balance in Croatia. Up until this point, I’ve been thankful to have my music supported by many DJs, but not to the level or stage as Balance and by a DJ like Nicolas. I have never felt that high in my life, and I want to experience it again, so that has been my fuel since August. There’s a longer backstory to this moment; if you want to read more, check out my Instagram post here.
You are based in Victoria, Canada. How would you describe the local electronic music scene there, and how has it influenced your musical path?
I have lived my whole life in this part of Canada, and I love it, but the music scene for organic and progressive house is tiny. Along with Bastian, and another fellow lover of progressive, Yogi, who works at one of the clubs in town, we have tried to expose the city to artists like Tim Green, Khen, Roy Rosenfeld, Christoph and a few others. It’s a challenging market because the city has only around 400,000 people. Some people travelled from Calgary and Vancouver to experience those artists, which was really cool. Other forms of electronic music are more popular, but we are trying to make a difference.
The thought has crossed my mind more and more over the last two years to move to a city like Montreal or Vancouver to see if I can get more opportunities to DJ. I am currently single and can work remotely, so it’s easy for me at this stage of my life.
Have you had the chance to perform your music locally or internationally? Can you share some of your most memorable gigs so far?
I’ve played a fair bit locally and have now had the chance to play in Vancouver a couple of times over the last few months, which has been exciting. Last summer, my good friend, Ben aka Desert Raven, invited me to play in Denver, which was my first gig outside of my local area, and I played alongside him and Veytik. That was a lot of fun to connect with both of them in person. Ben and I have known each other since 2020 and have chatted a lot over those years.
Looking ahead, do you have ambitions to perform more frequently abroad, and what kind of venues or events would you most love to play?
I have some ambitions to travel and perform, but it’s competitive, and I am not well-known or the hungriest when it comes to promoting myself. Based on connecting with the large Sri Lankan community in Vancouver over the last few months, I love their energy and kindness, so playing in Sri Lanka at some point would be amazing.
For years, I wanted to perform at two summer festivals in British Columbia: Basscoast and Shambhala. I’ve applied twice to Basscoast and not been accepted, so I have stopped pursuing it. Shambhala is all about connections, which I have not made yet.
You made your label debut on 3rd Avenue in late 2023 with the Three Of A Kind EP. What did that release represent for you at that stage of your journey?
How challenging making music was. I was pleasantly surprised that they were accepted for release on 3rd Avenue, as it’s been such a quality label for years. During this time, I had insecurities about my music and its quality compared to that of producers I admire. A few days spent at a regional Burning Man event on Vancouver Island a couple of years ago shifted my mindset and focus more and more. Art is art, and I shouldn’t be judging it as much, including my own. We all start somewhere, and I am proud of my evolution as a producer.
Since then, you have released several remixes on 3rd Avenue. What do you enjoy most about remixing compared to working on original material?
Having some stems and ideas to work off makes it slightly easier to create something unique. My favourite remix I’ve done is Rising Hope from Rossalto. That was created in a short period of time and flowed really easily. That said, deadlines for remixes can be more challenging to manage than for originals.
Your recent EP “Into The Darkness” on Sound Avenue explores a deeper, more progressive sound, quite different from your more organic house oriented productions. What inspired this shift, and what does this EP represent for you artistically?
I had been wanting to explore creating more progressive house. That Rising Hope remix was as close as I have come to my idea of progressive house. Being at Balance in Croatia really reignited my love for progressive again. As mentioned, having one of my remixes played at Balance brought back feelings I had not experienced in a very long time, so I would love to hear my music played in more settings like that.
I had been focused on creating and mixing organic house for a few years. But even the organic house is evolving. Many labels and artists are known for organic house and pushing the boundaries. They are releasing and creating tracks that are bordering on progressive, but I am trying more and more not to fit music into these genres. Organic house wasn’t even a thing until 2020-ish. It was all “Melodic House” in Beatport before that. Anyway, this is a more extended conversation! Let me say that progressive has been in my roots since I moved on from trance in 2006.
Beyond releasing music, you have also been a great help with A&R for 3rd Avenue, especially when it comes to finding remixers for upcoming releases. What do you listen for when selecting the right artist for a remix?
This has been a rewarding opportunity to reach out to hidden talents I have been following for some time, or to seek out new ones. I am looking for artists who fit the feel of the track that needs to be remixed, and also the feel of the label. Most of the time, I am looking for artists who haven’t been on the label and artists who are just getting their careers started. Then I will look for
Growing up, you focused heavily on sports, particularly golf. Do you see any parallels between golf and music in terms of patience, discipline, or mindset?
Absolutely. My father introduced me to golf when I was six or seven. I joined the local club at eight and got hooked right away. I had big dreams when I was younger and believed I could achieve anything. What I loved about golf was working hard to improve and lower my scores. Seeing these improvements became an addiction, and within a few years, I was playing off a + handicap, winning local junior tournaments and even a couple of regional events.
I have tried to tap into my mindset, but it hasn’t been easy. The older I have gotten, the more I have shied away from things that are difficult for me; producing does not come easily. But I feel like I have made some significant improvements over the last year and learnt new skills, where making tracks has become easier.
You also love traveling. How do new places and experiences influence your creativity and perspective on music?
When I travel, I spend more time outside exploring cities, and nature has always inspired me. I could be on a walk, taking in other art forms like architecture, sculptures and paintings and get motivated to create my own art when I get back to where I am staying.
How did you first learn about Sound Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and could you mention some of your favorite releases on the label?
From 2009 to 2016, I wasn’t focused on DJing at all, and I only made a few mixes during that period. I do remember in 2013 falling in love with Eze Ramirez’s Hareal on Balkan Connection. A few weeks later, he was featured on 3rd Avenue’s We Are The Future 2013. That was my first introduction to the label as I fell in love with Lautaro Varela’s The Lonely Forest. I have very emotional memories listening to both of these tracks while driving on a highway that summer.
It wasn’t until 2020 and 2021 that Sound and 3rd Avenue became prominent for me. GMJ’s Azimuth Remix, Madloch and Subnode’s Utopia are my favourites on Sound Avenue. RIGOONI’s Mornings Remix, Domingo + Loveclub’s Heaven Holds Remix, Fears from Ilya Gerus and Jiminiy Hop are my favourites on 3rd Avenue.
What are some of your favorite record labels, and do you have any goals or aspirations to release on specific labels in the future?
The Soundgarden and Meanwhile labels are ones I would love to be released on someday.
Besides music, golf and traveling, do you have any other passions or hobbies that play an important role in your life?
In late summer 2019, I stepped back from golf and gave up my membership, which has freed up a lot of time in my schedule. Over the years, I have explored different hobbies, from hiking and squash to yoga and cycling, but nothing really sticks. As you can tell, I love sports and being active.
At the moment, there isn’t much in my life outside of watching films and solving Sudoku puzzles. I was in the gym lifting weights last year, which I enjoyed, but with so much travel this year, I fell out of that routine. But I have gained a lot of weight and will be back in the gym once I hit my breaking point!
Are there any books, documentaries, podcasts, or films you would recommend to your fans and fellow artists?
Absolutely!
Documentaries
Books
Podcasts
Could you share some of your all time favorite tracks or songs that have had a lasting impact on your musical journey?
I have to go back to my trance days, and three tracks stick out for me. These tracks were my gateway drug to exploring progressive house in 2006.
Bedrock - Heaven Scent. It was grade 12, and my close friend had been going to raves. I listened to rap music throughout my teenage years, but primarily for the beats. So when a friend played Heaven Scent, my mind was blown, and I went down the trance rabbit hole.
Firewall - Sincere (Lange Remix), so emotional and uplifting. I ended my all-vinyl Chasing The Vibe mix with that track.
Three Drives - Carrera 2. Everyone knows Greece 2000, but this track and the build get me every time. Plus, it takes me back to seeing Tiesto in 2002 at the Commodore Ballroom. It was my first time in a live setting, hearing any music. It was a night I will never forget, and it was the first time I felt so connected to people through music.
What advice would you offer to your younger self starting out in 2003? And what advice would you give to aspiring artists who may be reading this interview?
I’ve tried not to live with any regrets, but I wish I had explored music production then. I just fell in love with the idea of sharing the music I loved and building a community of people who heard the beauty in trance as I did back then. That still is the main reason I DJ today.
As for advice, nowadays, you have to produce music to travel and get booked for gigs. DJing has become much easier to learn, but music production takes time. New artists need to do this for love, not fame. Be true to yourself and have the music come from the heart.
Finally, what can we look forward to from Joca in the near future, both musically and personally?
Musically, I am experimenting with more uplifting, deeper progressive house to help get tracks released on the labels I aspire to be on. More importantly, I am trying not to put pressure on myself or set lower expectations, because I want to create music for myself, not for anyone else.
As for my personal life, I have a beautiful spot on Salt Spring Island for the winter so I can dive Into The Darkness and work on myself. I have had a few habits creep back into my life this past year, which I had done a good job of removing. A few months of dedication, with minimal distractions, will help.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading, and I hope to connect with you over social media!
Stream/download his latest release: click here
Follow Joca here: Instagram | SoundCloud
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