Campus Celebrity: Ever Vidaurri

If you attended Relay for Life on Friday, then you got to hear Everardo Vidaurri — or as people know him in the music world, Ever Vida — mix some awesome beats. Last week, I sat down with Ever to find out how he got started DJ-ing, what artists inspire him and what he plans to do with music in the future.

Her Campus: Has music always been a passion of yours?

Ever Vidaurri: I’ve always liked music, but mostly junior year of high school I started – well I’m from Miami, and electronic music has always been big there – but as I got older I started getting more exposed to it, and junior and senior year I just really started liking house music. I went to Ultra Music Festival my senior year and it was like a life-changing experience, so now every time I listen to this music it just kind of reminds me of all these music festivals and stuff. So basically from pretty much then on I just loved house music and electronic and all that stuff.

HC: What specifically do you like about the electronic genre?

EV: I think one of the distinguishing factors is that it’s not about disrespecting women, or how much you can drink or none of what that mainstream music is. It’s all about dancing and having a good time; I call it peace, happiness and love. I’ve never been to an event where everyone has been angry. It just puts everyone in a good mood, so that’s why I like it.

HC: When did you decide that you wanted to start DJ-ing?

EV: Well, one of my biggest worries when I came to UNC was that they wouldn’t like the same type of music that I like here. But when I came here and saw that really electronic music wasn’t a thing when I got here, I saw the opportunity to DJ. I played around with it freshman year an awful lot, and then I got a mixer and now I’m getting shows, a lot of shows, so it’s all good.

HC: What was your first show?

EV: It was on my birthday – I turned 18, which is funny cause you know, I was in college – and I DJ-ed with my laptop at a friend’s house party. It was literally just like an hour and it was probably terrible, but no one noticed because it was super packed, and everyone was having a good time.

HC: What’s been your favorite gig?

EV: There’s been a couple. I really like Dance Marathon, ‘cause it’s 2000 people. For me, it’s like my mini-Ultra. I get to like live this huge experience of being on top. My favorite one was one time at one of the fraternities, the energy was there ‘til 3 a.m. and we continued to rage, and that was absurd.

HC: So, who are some of your inspirations for DJ-ing?

EV: Well, my top five are Fedde le Grand who’s a Dutch, true house DJ; Kaskade who’s an American DJ who has his own style; Laidback Luke; Bingo Players; Madeon, who’s that 17 year old French kid who’s a prodigy all over the world now.

HC: What bands and artists do you enjoy mixing the most? Do you have a favorite?

EV: Well that’s the good thing — there are so many artists, so many songs. I guess you’re not limited to like Top 40, you don’t have to pick from 40 songs. You have artists who make one song and become really big or just have one-hit wonders, but they’re still around and everyone appreciates it. Avicii right now is super popular and his songs are awesome, so I think that’d be it.

HC: What are your plans for the future?

EV: Well this is like a hobby; I do this really for fun. I mean if I can make something out of it post-graduation, I’ll take a chance at it for a year. As of right now, next year, I almost have a residency every Thursday at The Library. And other events like Dance Marathon have already contacted me, and I have Relay for Life this Thursday, so hopefully I’ll do that again.

HC: Is there any advice that you would give to aspiring DJ’s?

EV: Have fun. I guess like a big thing now is people do it because it’s the cool thing to do and they can make money, but I don’t think that’s what it’s about. It’s about just enjoying your time and if you like to dance party, that’s a good way to do it. It makes me happy to make other people have a good time you know?

HC: Is there anything you know now that you wish you had known when you were first starting out?

EV: Nah, it’s been just a learning experience. It kind of feels good to start from scratch more than anything. I’m slowly learning. I mean, I wish that college was longer. It kind of sucks that there’s only one year left to be able to continue this, but other than that, nothing really.

HC: If you could DJ at any venue in the world, what would it be?

EV: I’d probably just do Ultra Music Festival main stage because I’m from Miami, and it’s a crazy, open area. Or really any music festival that has a crowd of more than 5000 people would be perfect.

Be sure to check out Ever’s music on his websites, http://www.mixcloud.com/EverVida/ultra-music-festival-aerial7-dj-competition/ and www.soundcloud.com/evervida and follow him on Twitter @Ever_Vida.
To book him as a DJ call (305) 586-3445 or email evervida4@gmail.com.

Sources:
Photos by Ever Vidaurri.