Meetch – Cover Feature – Zone Magazine Issue 048

Words By Paul Newhouse

Meetch is a rising star in electronic music, known for electrifying crowds at top venues like Pacha, Webster Hall, Stage 48, Catch One and Avalon Hollywood. Starting his journey on SoundCloud, he quickly gained attention, leading to performances alongside industry giants such as Skrillex, Deorro, 12th Planet and more.

His unique blend of Bass House and Tech House, combined with his robot-themed branding, has made him a standout in the scene.

After overcoming a life-changing accident in 2010, Meetch found his calling in dance music, channeling his passion into dynamic DJ sets that seamlessly mix genres. With years of experience, including private events and festivals like KahBang, his ability to connect with audiences and energy on stage is totally unmatched.

Now based in Los Angeles, Meetch continues to captivate fans with high-energy performances and a relentless drive to push boundaries in electronic music. Whether at a nightclub or a massive festival stage, Meetch leaves it all on the dance floor, making him one to watch in the global dance music scene.

Tell us about Dimitri Fostinis, where do you come from and what was it like growing up?  

I come from the East Coast of the US! Growing up as a skateboarder and drummer. Played in bands and kind of glided my way through life with no real direction or goal. In highschool, I got hit by a car while walking to my friends house. Went into a coma, and came out of that with the love for dance music. It just happened. I never was really into any form of dance music until after that. In a way, it was a trans-formative experience. From there, this type of music has been everything for me. 

When was the first time you discovered dance music, and how did you get involved?  

The first time I really fell in love with dance music was when I went to a Lotus concert in New York City. There was a DJ who opened up called NiT GriT. It was dubstep but when I had the experience from a crowd during this, it really made me love the idea of being an artist on my own. It was one person controlling the entire crowd. That was the time I asked my mom to get me a DJ controller for Christmas. It was 2011 and I was 16 years old. 

What was your first big break?  

Big break is a decent sized word for this as I am always still growing and making moves, but it was in 2013 when I got discovered on SoundCloud to play in a Music Festival in Bangor Maine called KahbBang! I was producing for a few years now and was making more of Trap/Hip-Hip but one song on SoundCloud got me a slot on the lineup. That one slot actually turned into three slots on the full lineup over three days. Other bigger names on the lineup was Break Science, 12th Planet, Hopsin, Earl Sweatshirt, Lights and many many more. My first big show was actually a festival which is crazy to believe. 

Please describe in detail your music style and how you modded it into your persona?  

Starting in the Trap style, merged to Dubstep and then really found my love in House. I really and still love Electro-House but I try to make more of the Tech House style now but with Electro House elements. I feel more free and I love being able to mix faster paced music and keep the crowd hyped up. With house, I can mix 45 – 60 songs in an hour and really surprise people with the quick transitions and smooth flow. 

I must ask, why, and what is on your head? Where did this persona come from?  

Well my buddy Jimmy and I were on the beach in 2012 and we saw a cardboard Minecraft helmet and I thought this would be a cool thing to wear on my head. Being broke and barely 18, $30 for a cardboard box wasn’t really it for me. So I went to the back of the store and found the same helmet with a few scratches and edges on it and asked if I could buy this one for $5. The store owner told me to come back later when the owner was there. Sure enough, I went back later and bought the box for $5. From there, I went home and days turned to weeks of creating a robot head out of it. I got felt and glue and lights and wanted to make something super cool that lights up. I get criticized for being like Barely Alive or Marshmello which is funny because I made my first one in 2012 and both of those artists weren’t even a fragment of imagination until around 2015. I did get inspiration from Deadmau5 but I wanted to make my own thing. It’s not like I made a possum as a helmet and called it DeadPossum. Anyway, I don’t care. I love my creation and I finally after like seven  proto-types and years of designs, I finally have my awesome professional one. Grateful and excited for what’s to come because of it!  

Festivals, super clubs, small clubs, or house parties, and why?  

If I had more festival experiences I would probably say festivals. But I love clubs. I play a lot here in Los Angeles at one called Avalon and it’s my ultimate favorite club. I do also enjoy house parties and bars because I can play open format. Being a DJ of all genres, I love to incorporate different type of mashups and throwbacks that people wouldn’t expect in a club. That’s my favorite thing to do. But I think the club vibe will always be the top for me. That is until the festivals flow in! 

If you were to be left on your own on an island for the rest of time, what 5 releases of all time would you want to have with you to listen to?  

This is a hard one as I don’t really pick too many favorites. I think Reload (vocal mix) by Sebastian Ingrosso · Tommy Trash · John Martin would be number 1. Number 2 would be Strobe by Deadmau5 – the full entire mix. I love the way the song progresses and honestly I used to listen to that full track in order to fall asleep. Crazy but true. The 3rd would be Mord Fustand – Sexy & I Know It remix. This track will always be an ultimate one for me. It’s such a different kind of Electro House. I only got to see him live one time but it was definitely an epic one. Number 4 is Split Milk by Feed Me. Another top Electro House track for me that I can always listen to. Number 5 is Spectrum by Zedd with Matthew Koma. This one always meant a lot to me since the release. When I think of dance music in general this is one of the first that come to mind. 

Favorite city, to perform and why?  

Los Angeles is my favorite so far. It’s up there with New York City but since moving to LA, the energy is different here. I got past the whole “selling tickets” thing or “pay to play” so now without that factor, performing here is the best. With the upcoming shows I have, Los Angeles is really becoming the pivotal point in my life with music. Very excited for this!  

You have many releases. What’s your favorite and why?  

Upside Down is my top track for sure because this is the song that got discovered by legendary DJ Duo, Showtek. Since discovered, they’ve asked me to release on their label and join on some tour dates. So that track is the one that’s really gotten me to a new level. I have come across so many DJ sets across youtube and beyond where my track is being played for thousands and thousands of people. Crazy moment for sure. 

You are signed to many labels, what’s your favorite label to work with and why?  

Skink Records for sure! That is Showtek’s label and that’s the label that has taken my music career to a new level! 

Any advice on sending demos to labels?  

Upload the private link for your song for each label you send it to and add that label in the description. You don’t want it to look like you are sending one link to a million labels and then they see all of the plays. In addition, it’s okay to follow up once or twice on the email if you’ve seen them play the track and haven’t heard a response. If there is no answer, just leave it. 

Worst gig you have done and why?

“Worst” gig can mean a lot of things. I have had TONS of horrible events and experiences. But I just push and keep going. I can’t single out a specific gig except the ones that money is promised and you don’t get paid and then they block and ghost you. Classic shitty promoter situation which I’m sure many people have dealt with. That’s one of the jobs in the industry I don’t think I could ever do. One small festival I played years and years ago, everyone was told they were playing the main stage and of course no one did and we played on an aluminum riser off on a hill where no one was. So that would be up there with the “worst” but I was with a lot of friends and we did our thing and had fun otherwise. 

Mental health is a big issue in the music world. Have you had any issues, and what would you advise to any young artists going into the future in the music industry?  

I haven’t had many issues that have been life threatening or anything like that. I think the hardest thing is making music you think is good and then it doesn’t get picked up or it sits there and no one likes it or something like that. It’s sometimes hard to not think negatively of yourself and then try to create another new song with the same energy you gave the first one. I have been building my robot brand for about 14 years now. It’s FINALLY getting noticed and its part of the reason people remember me. But I had to go the years with crappy prototypes and just creations that I hoped would eventually work. And that time has finally started to come. 

Tell us about COVID and lockdown for you, good or bad or a bit of both?  

The covid lockdown was actually the most successful year for my business. Not my music business but my other ventures that I have. So it was really great for me. At the same time, it was the moment I really decided to start pushing even harder on my music goals and really invest more in myself and my time. So that year was what really got me to this part.  

You have played all over the globe, what’s your favorite events/brands and why?  

Last year during the Amsterdam Dance Event I got the chance to play in a shoe store. It was literally a club event that was set up inside of a shoe store and I have to say that was my favorite event to play. Not only was it me playing in another country, It was me playing in a shoe store with people dancing. It was truly a Europe experience and will remember that one for a long time. 

Fake and Instagram DJ’s, what’s your take?  

This is definitely a rustrating topic. The amount of “DJs” I have seen blow up from TikTok or Instagram is crazy. The crazy part is they get a headlining DJ slot, bring a decent crowd and then bomb the entire DJ set. Like nothing but mistakes. They you don’t really hear about them again. I do believe content and social media is extremely important for building a music brand. But it’s a little different when you perform terribly and then it doesn’t really own up to the “hype” that was seen on TikTok or wherever. So those DJs themselves gain a little hype but it dies down pretty quick when it’s quickly realized they aren’t really DJs. I have done my best to grow a brand, post the things that look great and at the same time focus on actually being a good producer and DJ. 

What do you think of the scene today, and what is the future?  

I am actually pretty excited about the scene now. I have been trying to succeed for a very long time and now it’s happening. Now I see the people that I was back then and it’s great to have those types of fans. Because those are the fans that now grow with you and the brand you’ve created. So I am definitely satisfied with where the dance music world is now and where it’s going. It’s still got a very long way to go.  

Top 5 all time dance tracks and why?  

These I believe are the top, whether I like them or not. When I think of music people all know and would be at the top, it’s these: 

1. Levels by Avicii – This track really hit the headlines and forever will be remembered, but just because of the great melody and vocals, but also because of his death. Avicii is a huge name in dance music. When I think of big tracks, this one is up there whether people like it or not. 

2. Animals by Martin Garrix – I think Garrix is so known because he was so young when it blew up. I went to Pacha in NYC to see his first tour from this track and it was 3 hours to just get downstairs from the top floor and even more to get into the bathroom. It was extremely dangerous, but the event was massive. This song will always be a top one. 

3. Cinema remix by Skrillex – This one is a given because this basically broke dubstep into the mainstream. While I am not much of a fan of this genre anymore, the first Skrillex album was an absolute hit. I remember seeing him in small clubs in New Jersey and then it exploded from there. This track won a grammy too. Beyond the track, Skrillex’s story is amazing and one to be heard.  

4. Rattle by Bingo Players – When people hear the lead synth/melody in this song it is already known. Maybe you don’t know the artist or the name, but you know the track simply from the melody. Theres so many good mashups with this track too. Bingo Players I don’ see as big as they used to be, but still a known name. I know one of the duo passed away so I belive that could have a piece of why the tracks and performances aren’t the same as it used to be. 

5. Satisfaction by Benny Benassi – I think this one is a given. People that don’t know dance music and even some children currently probably know this song. I have played some really awesome renditions and remixes of this track. I think its one that will forever be at the top. Again, whether you like it or not. It’s an automatic crowd pleaser and people still go hard if that track is played at the right time.  

What is the most important thing a DJ needs to know and why?  

The most important thing a DJ needs to know is how to read the crowd. You can be the best technical DJ in the world, have all the tricks, the newest music, and the craziest drops, but if you’re not paying attention to the people in front of you, none of that matters. Every crowd is different. Sometimes they want the heavier tracks, sometimes they want the groovy, smooth vibe, sometimes they just want throwbacks they can sing  to. If you’re stuck in your own head or only focused on “your” set, you miss that connection. For me, that connection is everything. It’s what made me fall in love with dance music in the first place. Seeing one person control an entire room’s energy. That’s what a DJ is really there to do which is to create a shared experience. When you can lock into that, you don’t just play music, you give people a moment they’ll remember! 

Give us some advice for upcoming artists.  

My advice is to not rush the process and don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. I’ve been building my brand for over a decade now. Going through different music styles, failed ideas, and a million prototypes of my robot head before I finally got it right. If I had quit because I wasn’t getting recognition in the first few years, I wouldn’t be here today. Also, don’t underestimate how much work goes into the stuff outside of music. Of course, make the best music you possibly can, but also learn how to network, present yourself professionally, and build something unique that people will remember. There are thousands of DJs out there, so what makes you stand out? And most importantly, remember why you’re doing it. If you truly love the music and the feeling it gives you, that will carry you through the times when it feels like no one’s listening. Stay consistent, stay humble, and don’t stop creating. 

 

Words By Paul Newhouse