Meet Dom Ventura | DJ MedXx || Head of Electro Terrestrial Collective

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dom Ventura and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dom, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
“When ‘I” is replaced with ‘we’, even illness becomes wellness” – Malcom X

Ever since I was a kid growing up, I always felt driven to the call to give back to the community — knowing that helping others (through acts of service, community outreach, and giving back) was ultimately one of the passions that fuels me to be a good human to other. As the years of education went by, I eventually found my calling to work professionally in both medicine and the health & safety fields. After meeting countless faces and families in patient care, I found that one of the universal conduits that helps bring people, friends, and families together is music.

Around the same time that I started pursuing my educational requirements for health sciences, I also fell in love with the art of DJing. I recognized that music and somatic psychology are more closely tied than we think. Physical biological responses and psychological resonance with music could (in theory) be therapeutic for people. When I graduated from Antioch University of Santa Barbara with my bachelors degree in psychology, I knew that my goal (as a DJ) was to unite people together using music as a medium (and hopefully evoke a therapeutic response).

Oftentimes, people turn to music for healing, or as a release from the stress of their day-to-day lives; I feel that when I DJ a set, my music becomes a way to help heal people on a somatic psychological level, no matter what they may be experiencing in their personal lives (e.g. stress, work, relationships, etc…).

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I first started learning to DJ in the mid 2000’s, I was listening to a variety different genres under the big umbrella of Electronic Dance Music (EDM). From techn0 to trance, drum and bass to breaks, house music to jungle beats — If it had a unique sound, I was listening to it. I felt that by not restricting my listening experience to specific genres, I had more opportunity to diversify my music taste, and thus get more creative with mixing and blending sounds (much like that of a chef pairing ingredients to create a meal).

Unlike many of my peers who may have been taught or mentored by more experienced DJ’s and producers, I am a self taught DJ from day one. Even today, I’m still growing, learning different techniques and tricks for different styles of music. While DJ’s scratching is a amazing skill for Hip-hop/Top 40 DJ’s, or chopping up quick transitions between Dubstep/Riddim sets are good (for their style of music), I personally prefer having my sets blend smoothly and progress with a natural flow.

Generally I tend to bring a more ‘Progressive Tech House’ or ‘Melodic Detroit Techno/House’ sound when I DJ. That said, I spin so many different genres of EDM that It’s hard to really put me into one specific genre as I enjoy experimenting with different styles. I feel that by not limiting myself to a few genres, I have more creativity and artistic liberties to express myself and resonate with the crowd.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are a few places that are really awesome spots to check out in Phoenix and its surrounding areas! I am a huge fan of Sunbar Tempe for their weekend brunches and awesome music lineup of both local, and out of town artists. Additionally, their one cent mimosa deal is one of the best in the Tempe area. If you’re bored on a Monday night, check out Cobra Arcade Bar in downtown phoenix for House Mondays with CHKLZ (and get a few rounds of Pac-man in)! If you’re looking to support the local artists, stop thru Club Endgame on Thursday nights for some music collective take-overs (and open decks). Additionally, check out Darkstar (Tempe), Bar Smith (Phoenix), and Scarlet Lounge (Phoenix) for all your techno, tech house, and house music needs!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
“If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”

There are so many amazing individuals that have helped inspire me to pursue my goals and dreams in the music industry. There is such an amazing community of DJ’s, musicians, producers, promoters, and venues/production teams that do so much for the industry and music culture.

I want to first thank my family and friends at our music collective Electro Terrestrial (formerly known as Tech805) and our sister collective ‘Fallout’. These hard working DJs and Producers are not only extremely talented artists, but an amazing group of hardworking and caring individuals. I’m so proud of their accomplishments, and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us all.

A huge thank you to Bix Kaufman (Owner of EOS Lounge of Santa Barbara) for supporting both myself, and our collective for the opportunities to DJ support/opening acts for some amazing local and international headliners in the EDM community. Having a local owner who advocates local artists and music collectives (and their growth) is what makes EOS Lounge feel like home.

To the music collectives that I’ve worked with in California, you all are amazing (in so many different ways)! Special shout-outs to: Underground Souls, Ideal Music Collective, Medium Enterprises, CTRL Discotheque, MDNT Events, and Sessions Los Angeles.

A very special thank you to Secret Sessions (Sedona, AZ) who welcomed me with open arms to the community! Cheers to your future

Lastly, I would like to thank my newer friends of Arizona! When I first discovered the music culture of Phoenix, I was astounded and ecstatic to see how it was thriving! Special thank you to DJs: Marcus Auralias, [ PLASTIC ], and Melfice, whom I first met years back and helped me to navigate through the music culture and venues here in Arizona. I would also like to give a shoutout to our home base venue Club Endgame (Mesa, AZ)… AND these amazing collectives / production teams: Eleventh House, Desert Runners, Techno Snobs, Nova-151, and Upper Norths.

Instagram: instagram.com/medxx.official

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tech805/

Other: Soundcloud: Soundcloud.com/Dj-MedXx

Image Credits
B&W Photography – Jose Ruiz / We Like It Deeper Green BG w/ Sunglasses – Dom Ventura ‘MedXx’ / Electro Terrestrial White Background Closeup – Dayana Salgado / Electro Terrestrial