“All the Shows are Memorable for Me!” Kcrush America Interview with TravellingWill
Have you ever dreamed of being a DJ and traveling the world sharing your musical creations with fans? Enter TravellingWill, a DJ and Ph.D candidate (yes, you read that right!) who does just this. We were lucky enough to interview Will recently, and he shares what inspired him to become an international DJ, why he chose K-pop as his focus, as well as future plans!
Kcrush America (KC): To begin, could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
TravellingWill (TW): I’m Will, my stage name is DJ TravellingWill. I’m an international K-pop DJ and I DJ at K-pop parties around the world. I focus on blending K-pop with various international genres, particularly Latin music and Bollywood.
KC: What inspired you to become an “international DJ”?
TW: I’ve always loved travel and learning about different cultures. My goal is to bring people together on the dance floor, transcending cultural boundaries, gender, and other characteristics. By mixing K-pop with Latin, Bollywood and other international beats, I can unite K-pop enthusiasts (who often dance to the distinctive choreography of K-pop songs) with Latin and other international dancers, fostering a sense of unity on the dance floor.
KC: Besides the wide appeal of Bollywood and Latin sound in attracting audiences, why did you select these two genres to mix with your K-pop sets?
TW: I chose these genres because as far as I know no other DJs mix K-pop with these two genres. My motto is “cultural transcendence through K-pop” so mixing in these diverse genres will also bring people of different backgrounds and musical tastes onto the same dance floor. I also want to prepare something special for my fans in Latin America and India.
KC: Given how you focus on K-pop, what made you want to focus on the genre? Furthermore, what was the song and/or group that got you hooked?
TW: Every K-pop song has a unique choreography which transcends cultural boundaries, gender, and other characteristics, fostering a sense of unity on the dance floor. I would have to say “Shine” by Pentagon got me hooked as it’s such an uplifting song with positive energy.
KC: Many DJs often share that music is an important part of their identities. Do you find this is the case for you? What does music mean to you and who you are?
TW: Yes, my identity as a DJ is mixing K-pop with diverse international genres such as Latin music and Bollywood, while the norm is to mix K-pop solely with EDM or stick to playing pure K-pop without mixing in any other genres.
KC: I see on your profile that you studied at UC Berkeley and you’re a Ph.D student at Cambridge University. How do you balance your studies, traveling, and DJing?
TW: My Ph.D is in math. I’ve always been fascinated by how complex real world patterns can be modelled in a logical and systematic way through mathematics, which ultimately drove me to pursue a mathematics major and Ph.D at university. I’m currently exploring automated transitioning and mixing using Python and AI, aiming for seamless transitions where the songs harmonize naturally. Just as in mathematics, where we strive for optimal matches, DJing shares a similar philosophy. A Ph.D in mathematics is entirely theoretical so I don’t have any classes, which allows me to travel while completing my Ph.D. I also DJ while I travel so the two go hand-in-hand.
KC: What is a typical day like for you when prepping for a show?
TW: In the days leading up to a show I would do some research about what songs are currently “in” and sometimes produce some remixes for the show. I would also usually spend some time learning the choreographies of new songs as I love to dance along with the crowd when I DJ.
KC: When you do a show, do you have a planned setlist in mind or do you typically follow the vibe of attendees? What’s your process here?
TW: I always try to read the crowd. Some may only be into boy groups or girl groups, some only into first generation groups and some only into fourth generation groups. I try to play a diverse set every time and keep the energy throughout the night.
KC: Checking out your Instagram, it seems you have fun performing and that you have a lot of passion! When you think back about past shows, is there any specific place or show that was particularly memorable and why?
TW: All the shows are memorable for me!
KC: During your travels, which country was your favorite to visit? Which countries do you hope to visit?
TW: I don’t have a favorite but so far Venice in Italy has been the most breathtaking. It is surreal. It really is like walking on a giant piece of art. I am currently touring Australia and I have plans to tour Latin America, India, Turkey and Poland very soon!
KC: As a traveling DJ, I’m sure you’ve met some interesting people along the way. Have you had any celebrity encounters you’d like to share?
TW: Yes I’ve had the chance to work with many celebrities in the K-pop industry, I won’t name anyone in particular.
KC: What do you consider the most interesting aspect of your job?
TW: Bringing joy to people and witnessing the smiles and excitement on their faces when their favorite song is played, while also fostering cultural unity on the dance floor. My career highlight so far has been securing acceptance from the largest party venue in Brazil to host the world’s biggest K-pop party in 2024.
KC: Is there anyone you would like to work with in the future? Who would you love working with and why?
TW: Zico. Dancing alongside him to the choreography of his hit track “any song” has always been a dream of mine. Zico’s (Woo Ji-ho) music serves as a source of inspiration for me. As a largely self-made artist and a prominent figure on social media, Zico gained widespread recognition through viral TikTok videos featuring his hit track “Any Song.”
KC: Speaking of the future, what are your goals with DJing and post-DJ life?
TW: Soon I’ll be moving onto the next leg of my world tour in Latin America, including stops in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and more! Additionally, I’m thrilled to announce plans for hosting the world’s largest K-pop party in Brazil. Stay tuned for updates by following me on Instagram (ID: travellingwill).
KC: What are your plans for 2024, and where can we expect to see you next?
TW: Touring Australia, Latin America, India and more! Possibly the US near the end of the year!
KC: Do you plan on experimenting with any other music genres in the future? Could we expect a country music-K-pop mashup somewhere as weird and different as that sounds?
TW: Yes certainly! Lil Nas was hugely successful when blending country and trap music for his hit old town road so I don’t see why it won’t work with K-pop! It is something that has definitely been on my mind!
KC: For anyone who aspires to do what you do, what advice could you share to help them get started?
TW: Always be open to experimentation and trying new approaches to find what resonates with you. Don’t feel compelled to conform to the norms. To my knowledge, my specialization in mixing K-pop with diverse international genres such as Latin music and Bollywood is quite niche, while the norm is to mix K-pop solely with EDM or stick to playing pure K-pop without mixing in any other genres.
KC: Finally, is there anything else you would like to say to readers?
TW: Please perform an act of kindness for a stranger today 🙂
We hope you enjoyed our recent interview! We extend our thanks to TravellingWill for his time. Please check out his Instagram and SoundCloud!
Image Cr. Images provided by DJ TravellingWill
—-Olivia Murray
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