Jullian’s foray into musical greatness started in 2003. As a young boy, he began DJing at nightclubs that were owned by his family. It was there that he first saw the adverse effects of alcohol abuse.
Now, Jullian is one of South Africa’s most prominent deep house practitioners. Jullian Gomes has travelled the world spreading his silky sounds on the dance floors in Paris, Germany, Spain and the UK.
He spoke to us about the importance of mentorship and why it is vital for young people to make better life choices.
Why do you think it is important for the youth to have mentors?
It’s important for the youth to have mentors, so that they have the opportunity to learn from the people they look up to. Through all of the do’s & don’ts, there is always a lesson to be passed down. Your future will always be determined by your own decisions but there’s a good chance a mentor can sway your decision for the greater good.
You don’t drink, is there a reason why?
It’s just something I never got into. I started DJ-ing when I was really young. I used to play at my family’s nightclub — I guess maybe that had an effect on me growing up. By the time I wanted to drink I was over it. I hate the feeling of losing control.
What were some of the issues you were dealing with as a teenager in your community?
Growing up, I was just like any other generation before me. There was fascination for what was forbidden; we wanted more of anything we weren’t allowed to have. I remember kids in my primary school used to drink. By the time we got to high school it was old news. As an individual, you had to make a decision regarding what you wanted and how you wanted to spend your youth.
What else do you think can be done to curb underage drinking?
I feel like much more can be done — and how it is done is also very important. You have to understand that you need to be on the same level with the youth about their issues. The reason why adults can never get through to the youth is because they feel they know more and have some sort of ‘Life Experience’ that is greater.
I feel like it’s more about focusing on their ability for self-control. The truth is that alcohol has a huge impact on the economy. It will never go away and kids are always going to be exposed to it — maybe even want it. You just have to be honest about alcohol abuse, underage drinking and how it can affect people’s lives.
Would you say that music has helped you escape some of the issues you faced? If so how?
Yes, Definitely. Music is one of the few things that never betrayed me. It has always been there for me. How could I not love it?
What advice would you give some of our mentors and mentees who want to get into the music industry?
I would say that anything to do with art and life in general needs a great deal of passion. So you need to be passionate about everything you do in the music scene. Passion and a pure love for the music is the only thing that will keep you going.
