www.ambiente.us
DJ SOUZ | Music is a beautiful thing
By Herb Sosa
“DJ SOUZ”, aka, Thomas Sousa is living the American
Dream. Never one to shy away from a good days work,
DJ Souz moved to New York from his native Brazil in 1992,
wanting to break into the music industry. Knowing and
understanding his personal goal, he took many odd jobs,
including dishwashing and driving a cab not just to pay the
bills, but to learn the language, quirks and culture of his new
home. Challenged with the fact his family is well known
politically and socially in Brazil, Souz has always pushed
himself harder than most, and had soon taken his one cab
business into a multi-car mini empire and later graduated
from CUNY, New York City University in Business (Banking
and Finances) in 2002. He soon found himself calling South
Florida home, started his production company T. S. Global
Studios along with an internet business that has grown to
over 50 countries in the world. Besides music, this
entrepreneur enjoys publishing, travel, new investments
and the stock market. But where he is happiest today, is
seeing us enjoy ourselves on the dance floor, and spinning
his music.
Tell me about how you went from working as a pirate
cabbie, to owning a successful limo business?
As we all know New York City Is the capital of the world, and
there are many laws in that city that are very strict to all types
of business, and one that they reinforce the most is the Taxi
and Limousine commission ( TLC), and as a business in
the limousine industry, not every company can survive NYC
regulations because it is very costly to run a such business,
(license, insurance,drivers, vehicles, taxes, base, marketing
etc..) therefore, I had to start the company with a very low
budget less then $ 1000,00 dollars and that couldn't cover
even the gas for the month, and the only way to do it was to
get at JFK, International airport at 3:00 am and wait for the
flights that was arriving from Brazil, and offer my services to
the Brazilian passengers. It was easier for me and felt more
comfortable to have a Brazilian driver as well. I have started
that company ( Sunrise Executive Limousine INC) doing that,
and thanks to God I did built an Empire on my own working
24/7, and i am proud of it, and i Believe that the same will happen to my music carrier now, I am devoting everything to it, from my infinite
passion to all my energy and DJ and Producer Souz will become the new Sensation through his hard working, passion and dedication to
all his audiences and fans.
Why did you choose to go to business school?
I chose Business School because, again, I was living in the greatest city in the world and in order to survive in that city you must educate
yourself in order to beat the competition, my life experiences was not strong enough for me to be competing with the bigger companies
there with out me specializing in the field. Personal skills and knowledge is the foundation to your success but if you can get specialized in
certain field related to what you want to do certainly will enhance your ability to be successful in the field of your choice. In my case was the
limousine business services.
Many people would choose to stay home, especially if your future was relatively secure. Why did you choose to leave Brazil & get into
music?
I am the type of person that "I go and get it" I never relied on my parents financially or asked for
anything, I always liked to work for what I wanted, of course i accepted my parents help , and I am
very fortunate that i had a great family that always supported me in any thing that I wanted to do in
my life. But I always believed that I could accomplish anything that I was willing to, even though I
didn't have the need to struggle but I always choose to try on my on first then if I couldn't do it I
knew that I had my parents to help me if I needed to.
The reason I left Brazil to pursue my music carrier was because I always loved NYC in many
aspects: the amazing night clubs, incredible musicians, the diversity in cultures and backgrounds,
that I must had to experience before I started to pursue my own dreams in the music field; and,
NYC was the place to be.
What is it about music & producing that excites you?
I love all types all music, especially the ones that sounds exotic, music is a beautiful thing to
listen, enjoy and appreciate but what intrigues me the most is the making of it. Producing a
sound or a note is simply a gift from God, as we know sounds are everywhere, even your own
body produces sounds, nature itself is the biggest sound producer out there; as a Music
Producer i try to incorporate as many specific key notes as possible, also to create a certain style
of it and what excites me the most is after a long day, weeks and months of hard working and
many nights without sleep - is the final product. The final product is all the elements such as...
from a simple sound, note, effects when you combine those you can generates infinite numbers
of other sounds and effects and when you produce a song from scratch only using those
elements is how the magic happens. As I said, at the end of the day it is magical and exciting for
me to listen and share with my friends, fans and family - something that came (seemingly) out of
no where but from within of yourself and your soul.
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as Young, innovative, modern and easy to listen to it, but also I don't
and never stick with one Genre or style. I try to cover all and every style that is in demand out there.
I do have a very diverse audience, because my style can go from pop, house and tech music all
the way to hip hop.
How do you know when you have the right sound? What are the signs?
The right song is derived by how your mood is and how you are feeling at that moment, "a sound
is a sound" but on how you shape that sound is how you will know if that sound is the right sound,
and most of the time when you are creating sounds you already have in mind of what kind of sound and style you are looking for.
What makes a night in a club – HOT?
Well let me see! I don't want to be sarcastic or cocky but i believe what makes a night in a club is a good DJ , a beautiful crowd and the club
atmosphere.
What do you most like to do, when you are not working on your music?
Travel, but even traveling you always find an excuse to be creative and you ended up working in little projects.
Other than your (music) equipment, what is the most important thing you own, and why?
My house and my dog. I will cover this answer by saying in one sentences; "because my house is my temple and my dog is my
unconditional best friend"
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years, personally and professionally?
I definitely can see my self in 10 years from now, maybe sharing my experiences and skills with
young kids that cannot afford to pursue the music carrier and maybe starting a non profit
organization to raise funds for institutions that give support for those kids in many fields of
music.
Is there a different vibe to working in a gay or straight club? How & why?
I do sense that when I am working with the straight and the gay communities, i don't know how
to explain but I think both sides segregate themselves instead of creating a mutual environment
where they can share and enjoy the same party, because above all we all are equals and we all
deserve to have fun regardless of any sexuality involved, and most importantly we all are the
children of God independently of our religions.
What advice would you give an aspiring LGBT D.J. starting out in the business?
Do not ever stop your dreams, and whatever you want to be - a DJ or a Music Producer - go for it, work hard and don't ever give up your
dreams and objectives in life, there are opportunities out there for all of you
Copyright 2012 © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE.
Do not reproduce without citing this source
DJ SOUZ | Music is a beautiful thing
By Herb Sosa
“DJ SOUZ”, aka, Thomas Sousa is living the American
Dream. Never one to shy away from a good days work,
DJ Souz moved to New York from his native Brazil in 1992,
wanting to break into the music industry. Knowing and
understanding his personal goal, he took many odd jobs,
including dishwashing and driving a cab not just to pay the
bills, but to learn the language, quirks and culture of his new
home. Challenged with the fact his family is well known
politically and socially in Brazil, Souz has always pushed
himself harder than most, and had soon taken his one cab
business into a multi-car mini empire and later graduated
from CUNY, New York City University in Business (Banking
and Finances) in 2002. He soon found himself calling South
Florida home, started his production company T. S. Global
Studios along with an internet business that has grown to
over 50 countries in the world. Besides music, this
entrepreneur enjoys publishing, travel, new investments
and the stock market. But where he is happiest today, is
seeing us enjoy ourselves on the dance floor, and spinning
his music.
Tell me about how you went from working as a pirate
cabbie, to owning a successful limo business?
As we all know New York City Is the capital of the world, and
there are many laws in that city that are very strict to all types
of business, and one that they reinforce the most is the Taxi
and Limousine commission ( TLC), and as a business in
the limousine industry, not every company can survive NYC
regulations because it is very costly to run a such business,
(license, insurance,drivers, vehicles, taxes, base, marketing
etc..) therefore, I had to start the company with a very low
budget less then $ 1000,00 dollars and that couldn't cover
even the gas for the month, and the only way to do it was to
get at JFK, International airport at 3:00 am and wait for the
flights that was arriving from Brazil, and offer my services to
the Brazilian passengers. It was easier for me and felt more
comfortable to have a Brazilian driver as well. I have started
that company ( Sunrise Executive Limousine INC) doing that,
and thanks to God I did built an Empire on my own working
24/7, and i am proud of it, and i Believe that the same will happen to my music carrier now, I am devoting everything to it, from my infinite
passion to all my energy and DJ and Producer Souz will become the new Sensation through his hard working, passion and dedication to
all his audiences and fans.
Why did you choose to go to business school?
I chose Business School because, again, I was living in the greatest city in the world and in order to survive in that city you must educate
yourself in order to beat the competition, my life experiences was not strong enough for me to be competing with the bigger companies
there with out me specializing in the field. Personal skills and knowledge is the foundation to your success but if you can get specialized in
certain field related to what you want to do certainly will enhance your ability to be successful in the field of your choice. In my case was the
limousine business services.
Many people would choose to stay home, especially if your future was relatively secure. Why did you choose to leave Brazil & get into
music?
I am the type of person that "I go and get it" I never relied on my parents financially or asked for
anything, I always liked to work for what I wanted, of course i accepted my parents help , and I am
very fortunate that i had a great family that always supported me in any thing that I wanted to do in
my life. But I always believed that I could accomplish anything that I was willing to, even though I
didn't have the need to struggle but I always choose to try on my on first then if I couldn't do it I
knew that I had my parents to help me if I needed to.
The reason I left Brazil to pursue my music carrier was because I always loved NYC in many
aspects: the amazing night clubs, incredible musicians, the diversity in cultures and backgrounds,
that I must had to experience before I started to pursue my own dreams in the music field; and,
NYC was the place to be.
What is it about music & producing that excites you?
I love all types all music, especially the ones that sounds exotic, music is a beautiful thing to
listen, enjoy and appreciate but what intrigues me the most is the making of it. Producing a
sound or a note is simply a gift from God, as we know sounds are everywhere, even your own
body produces sounds, nature itself is the biggest sound producer out there; as a Music
Producer i try to incorporate as many specific key notes as possible, also to create a certain style
of it and what excites me the most is after a long day, weeks and months of hard working and
many nights without sleep - is the final product. The final product is all the elements such as...
from a simple sound, note, effects when you combine those you can generates infinite numbers
of other sounds and effects and when you produce a song from scratch only using those
elements is how the magic happens. As I said, at the end of the day it is magical and exciting for
me to listen and share with my friends, fans and family - something that came (seemingly) out of
no where but from within of yourself and your soul.
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as Young, innovative, modern and easy to listen to it, but also I don't
and never stick with one Genre or style. I try to cover all and every style that is in demand out there.
I do have a very diverse audience, because my style can go from pop, house and tech music all
the way to hip hop.
How do you know when you have the right sound? What are the signs?
The right song is derived by how your mood is and how you are feeling at that moment, "a sound
is a sound" but on how you shape that sound is how you will know if that sound is the right sound,
and most of the time when you are creating sounds you already have in mind of what kind of sound and style you are looking for.
What makes a night in a club – HOT?
Well let me see! I don't want to be sarcastic or cocky but i believe what makes a night in a club is a good DJ , a beautiful crowd and the club
atmosphere.
What do you most like to do, when you are not working on your music?
Travel, but even traveling you always find an excuse to be creative and you ended up working in little projects.
Other than your (music) equipment, what is the most important thing you own, and why?
My house and my dog. I will cover this answer by saying in one sentences; "because my house is my temple and my dog is my
unconditional best friend"
Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years, personally and professionally?
I definitely can see my self in 10 years from now, maybe sharing my experiences and skills with
young kids that cannot afford to pursue the music carrier and maybe starting a non profit
organization to raise funds for institutions that give support for those kids in many fields of
music.
Is there a different vibe to working in a gay or straight club? How & why?
I do sense that when I am working with the straight and the gay communities, i don't know how
to explain but I think both sides segregate themselves instead of creating a mutual environment
where they can share and enjoy the same party, because above all we all are equals and we all
deserve to have fun regardless of any sexuality involved, and most importantly we all are the
children of God independently of our religions.
What advice would you give an aspiring LGBT D.J. starting out in the business?
Do not ever stop your dreams, and whatever you want to be - a DJ or a Music Producer - go for it, work hard and don't ever give up your
dreams and objectives in life, there are opportunities out there for all of you
Copyright 2012 © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE.
Do not reproduce without citing this source
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The right song is
derived by how your
mood is and how
you are feeling at
that moment, "a
sound is a sound"
but on how you
shape that sound is
how you will know
if that sound is the
right sound, and
most of the time
when you are
creating sounds
you already have in
mind of what kind
of sound and style
you are looking for.
derived by how your
mood is and how
you are feeling at
that moment, "a
sound is a sound"
but on how you
shape that sound is
how you will know
if that sound is the
right sound, and
most of the time
when you are
creating sounds
you already have in
mind of what kind
of sound and style
you are looking for.
For DJ SOUZ Bookings, contact:
givemeabeatprod1@gmail.com
givemeabeatprod1@gmail.com