From crate-digging in California to tearing up clubs in Berlin, The Checkup has built a career on his deep love for house music and the raw energy of DJing. Starting out with turntables and vinyl, he’s honed his craft with a blend of classic influences while pushing forward with his signature sound balancing groovy, soulful sounds into the various shades of House music. In this interview, he breaks down his journey, the art of mixing, upcoming collaborations, and how platforms like RepostExchange push his mixes to a wider audience.

How did you first get into DJing, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

I got into DJing when I was 18 as a college student in California. A friend of mine was doing house parties and DJing records, and I was getting really inspired and envious of it and I really wanted to try it myself. So I bought turntables and started buying records and practising my beatmatching skills. I wanted to pursue this as a career because I absolutely loved the energy exchange and the feeling of being behind the decks. 

Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?

Growing up I was mostly into all types of Rock and Jazz as well as Pop. Names like Queen, Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis to name a few. These were names that resonated with me the most. I learned to play instruments from a young age so practising with music helped me develop musical ear but also trained classically to read and write music. Those were not necessarily influences for me in my music production but they were definitely my 'gateway drug' into music. 

If you could DJ any event in the world, which one would it be and why?

To be honest, any event in the world with a receptive audience that really connects with the DJ, and a state-of-the-art calibrated sound system, is more than enough for me. I don’t really need much more than that. 

📸 The Checkup playing at D-EDGE

How do you approach creating a new mix? Is there a story or theme you often follow?

It really depends, but mostly I just use the same approach as my live DJing. I pick maybe the first 2-3 tracks and then go with the flow 😊

What's the most challenging part of putting together a cohesive mix?

Lack of time!

What software or equipment do you prefer using when recording your mixes?

I record live on CDJs and Technics, and if I don’t have so much time, I might use Ableton because I have some templates which make it easier and faster to do. But overall, I very much prefer doing it on the go from the turntables. 

What advice would you give to any budding DJs out there?

Don’t overthink and just do what you like and play the music you like. Showcase your storytelling and try to create and build tension throughout the mix. I usually start low and end high, but it also depends on how long the mix is. Just do you and don’t overthink it! 

📸 ©João Neto 2024

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations we should be on the lookout for?

I am releasing on Kerri Chandler’s Kaoz Theory, DJ Steaw’s HousePuff, and Darius Syrossian’s MOXY MUZIK in the next few weeks/months. I also have some very exciting collaborations with DJ Merci, Mona Lee and Ale Castro in the pipeline.

How do you decide which tracks or artists to repost? Do you have certain criteria?

I would say I would repost mixes that resonate with my audience and that have music that sounds like what I would play.

Have you discovered or collaborated with any artists through RepostExchange?

Actually my friend Eszko who showed me RepostExchange has amazing Drum & Bass mixes. I love them because he is so knowledgeable about that genre and brings all the facets of the sound together; his mix series is quite extensive and you can check it out below.

Can you share a specific track or mix that gained significant traction due to RepostExchange?

The first mix that I ran a Campaign on was a live recording from Sisyphos in Berlin; it got a lot of plays, which made me very happy!

Connect with The Checkup on RepostExchange, SoundCloud, MixCloud, and Instagram.

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This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity