interview + Photography Jorge Perezchica
Meet Sebastian Lopez, AKA Sebass, a 23-year-old rising DJ from Coachella Valley. The first time I listened to Sebass was about a year ago during a party at Las Palmas Brewing in Palm Springs. He set the vibes on fire with a mix of old and new school, and immediately I was hooked by the infectious beats.
Our meet up for this interview took place at Cafe La Jefa on a winter overcast day in March. As soon as I step through the doors, Sebass politely greets me with a cup of coffee. It’s near closing time, so we find a table outside and sit under a canopy and enjoy our drinks (vanilla lattes, in case anyone is wondering).
In person, Sebass imparts a quiet and reserved demeanor, but once he starts talking about music, the tone shifts — pausing briefly to collect his thoughts and give earnest thoughtful answers. His dedication to music began at a young age — finding his rhythm as a percussionist in a symphonic band. Those early years set the stage for a connection with melodies and beats, igniting a passion that would shape his musical journey.
Simultaneously, he found himself drawn to the world of DJs. Eager to learn their secrets, Sebass immersed himself in assisting his father’s friend at events like quinceañeras and weddings. Curiosity sparked within him as he observed how DJs spun tunes, stoke the crowd’s energy and craft seamless musical experiences.
After high school, he started taking DJing more seriously, investing in his own equipment, and expanding his musical repertoire. It was during this transformative phase that Sebass crossed paths with a local legend, Alf Alpha. The encounter would prove pivotal, as Alf Alpha introduced Sebass to the world of vinyl. Guided by the crackling sounds and tactile nature of vinyl records, Sebass delved deeper into his craft, blending beats, he curates unique experiences for listeners of all generations.
Beyond music, Sebass actively works behind the scenes to expand his understanding of marketing, branding, financial management, and networking. By combining music artistry with a solid foundation in business knowledge, Sebass knows his worth — and is carving out his own path in the music industry.
SOUND UP is part of a Coachella Magazine ongoing DJ series.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
Coachella Magazine: You good?
SEBASS: Yeah, I’m ready.
CM: Introduce yourself and tell us about your background in music.
SB: So my name’s Sebastian Lopez. My background in music is “DJ” I’m 23 right now. I started when I was 17. But my background in music started when I was in middle school. I started in band. I was a percussionist, I would play the drums, in a symphonic band in high school, four years of symphonic band, marching band, percussion, ensemble, all that. So I’ve always been involved in music.
And DJing, I started at the same time in middle school. I would help out my dad’s friend, he was a DJ. He would do quinceañeras, weddings and all that. And I would just help him. And I always was curious on how DJs did it, like how they got the crowd going and everything.
Then after high school, I started taking it more serious — that’s when I started buying my own equipment. I met with people like Alf Alpha. I’m sure you know who he is. He’s a local legend. And then he introduced me into vinyl. And then that’s when I started DJing with vinyl. But that’s a little background of how I started.
CM: Did you ever play in a group band?
SB: We tried to. I’ve been in a group, we’d played cumbia but that was just cuz I knew how to play the drums, you know, it wasn’t really something that I saw myself doing for long term. And then my friends and I started a music group. I would produce my friend Adam, he would produce too. And one of our two other friends, they would sing or rap on it. But that didn’t end up going well cuz everyone had to come together and everyone’s busy, you know, so that kind of dissolved. But that’s why the DJing thing is kind of better, because I can control that.
CM: How did you choose your artist name Sebass?
SB: I do the emphasis on the “bass” cuz I do like bass. Like, that’s what kind of keeps the rhythm going. But in middle school I came up with it just as like a filler. I was just like, “This will be my starting DJ name.” Cuz I didn’t know what I wanted yet, and I kind of just grew into it, and it stuck with me, so I didn’t feel like I needed to change it. So yeah, it was just an abbreviation of my name with like the word “bass.”
CM: Where did you grow up?
SB: I was born in Rancho Mirage, the Eisenhower hospital. I grew up originally in Palm Springs, closer to Cielo Vista, the elementary school. Then we moved into Cathedral City. But my experience in the valley has been really cool because, I mean, back then I feel it was a smaller community and I feel like I got to experience seeing this valley grow into what it is now. So it was pretty cool. Especially not living so far from Palm Springs, you get to see all the glitz and glamour over here. And then on the other side of the valley, you see like the festival part. You see all the artistic part. So it was like, I didn’t realize, but at a young age I was surrounded by so much art and it’s pretty cool. I like being from here.
CM: You mentioned playing drums in the marching band. At what point did you start to transition into DJing as a career?
SB: I still play from time to time, but not in a band. I only do it for myself, just so I don’t lose it. Cuz I want to be able to read music forever. I don’t want to lose that. But that transition happened like right after high school. Cuz you can’t do it as a drummer by yourself. You need a band. And the alternative to that was just DJing. Cuz you can do it by yourself. You don’t need anyone else to rely on. So that’s why I made that transition. And it also happened because it was always like a passion of mine to do DJing. Band, I did it cuz I wanted to learn music. I wanted to learn the notes and how everything works and how you can create like “masterpieces.” That’s kind of why I got into band.
CM: What were some of your musical influences?
SB: Like when I was younger, a lot of it started with Skrillex, some of the DJs that were starting out, like Martin Garrix. But I listened to a lot of the music. The music I listened to back then was more like pop, disco, soul. I got into that once I started finding out that you can DJ all the genres, you know, you can’t just do one. I also started producing after high school and that’s when I would sample music.
And I would just dig, kind of like, look for records too and find all these songs. And I was always into those kind of artists that would make crazy tunes.
CM: How would you describe your sound?
SB: It’s old school. I would describe it old-school mixed with new-school cuz a lot of what I do is, I bridge gaps cuz, here in the valley there’s an older crowd and then there’s a younger crowd. There’s nothing in between, you know, so I try to bridge both of them. So whenever I play any remixes, I try to play a remix of an old song with a new song and then like, both generations can like come together and have a good time. So my music is a lot of — it’s a combination of everything, because I don’t try to limit myself. I don’t try to say, “Oh, I’m a Latin DJ” cuz I can do Latin, I can do disco, I can do fun. I wanna do all of them and be able to like, please everyone. You know, that’s kind of where my sound comes from.
CM: What’s the main challenge standing out from other DJs?
SB: For me, it’s going out and seeing other DJs. Like what I did early on is, I wanted to be a DJ, I would surround myself with DJs and see what they do. And I would notice that a lot of them would kind of play similar things. And I thought, I don’t want to play it safe and just play the same thing. I want to change it up and, and play something different. And it’s not the same old stuff you hear all the time. So I want to make it special every time.
CM: Are you DJing full-time or is that part-time?
SB: Right now, it’s part-time, but it’s getting to the point where it’s almost full-time, you know, and I’m not kind of happy about it. I’ve been doing it like part-time for a while, but I’m getting busier enough to the point where it can become full-time.
CM: Are you in college?
SB: College of the Desert for business. That’s what I’m going for.
CM: What was it like starting out in the local DJ scene?
SB: So when you’re starting out, it’s not easy. No one’s like, “Oh, here’s this gig” cuz you have to build a name for yourself first. So what I would do, since I couldn’t get any gigs in the beginning, I would throw my own events. My friends and I would get together, throw a party, invite some people, and then people start talking about you. And then you create the connection, people recommend you.
And from then on I started doing smaller parties, like birthday parties, quinceañeras, weddings, all that. Once I started doing that, people started hitting me up for like, some restaurants I’ve done. I did New Year’s for restaurants, but that’s kind of how it started. Like just word of mouth at the beginning.
CM: Do you have a good relationship with the local DJs or does it ever get competitive?
SB: No, it’s not. I have a good relationship with a lot of them. I haven’t run into anyone that I don’t get along with. A lot of the DJs out here are very supportive. Like, we wanna help each other out because this valley is small, so we wanna bring each other out, you know?
CM: How would you describe yourself in three words?
SB: Passionate, curious and optimistic.
CM: Describe your creative process behind the music.
SB: I always look for inspiration, but clearing my mind first. I need to be relaxed. Cuz a lot of the times it’s go, go go. You’re playing at a club and I try to relax first.
I look for inspiration, like here within the valley. I feel like Palm Springs has a lot of history and the valley does too. So I try to look back on the history of old music and I dig in all these websites or I go to record stores and then I see, “Oh, I haven’t seen this.” And I try to find something I haven’t heard.
My mentality is, I don’t have a closed mind when it comes to finding new music because I feel that strays me away from finding good music. Cuz like some people have this idea that, if you listen to music, you may not like it, but some other people love it. And I like to listen to all kinds of music and not judge because music is a love language for a lot of people. So my creative process is just us finding songs that you wouldn’t think you would like and then playing them for you. Yeah, that’s kind of how I look at things.
CM: How much improvisation goes into a DJ set? Because sometimes I see a DJs bring a thumb drive and some bring their laptop. Is there a difference?
SB: Yeah, so there’s a difference. The DJs that bring a thumb drive, they already have a set prepared. Like that’s what you’re gonna listen to. Like me, I have a laptop, so the night can go anywhere. If the crowd really likes something, I’m gonna play what they want and I’m gonna go off of that.
I like to read the crowd. Cuz if I see the crowd not liking it, I’m gonna change it up. I don’t want people that came out of their way to be like, “Oh, this wasn’t fun.” I want people to have a good time. So a lot of it is on the fly — you always have to be prepared for anything cuz anything can change.
CM: How much of your DJ set is pre-planned versus reading the audience?
SB: I’ve only ever stuck to like two sets, only because I wanted it that way. But whenever I’m in a public performance, it changes a lot because I want everyone to have a good time. And you can’t be selfish in that situation. You want to play what everyone wants to hear, you know?
CM: What’s one of the most important things that you learned about DJing?
SB: There’s a lot that I’ve learned when it comes to DJing — you have to be prepared for anything. Cuz anything could happen, you know? The biggest thing I learned is, I can go into gigs with this mentality that like, “I’m gonna play this,” but it will go a different direction. As much as you pre-plan, the night can go anywhere. So I’ve learned that you can only prepare so much. The rest of it is just how you react to the crowd.
CM: Did you have a musical mentor — anybody in your family or teacher?
SB: I feel like, I had a good enough amount of mentors. In middle school, it was my band director. His name was Mr. Beal. I saw the passion early on with music cuz, he would do it for the love of teaching students how to play an instrument. So I always loved that. High school, it was two of my band instructors, Mr. Whitmore. And then Mr. Howe and still at Cathedral City. But I always pay them a lot of thankfulness for teaching me early on, like the commitment, the dedication to practice.
I think practice is one of the most important things. And then Alf Alpha is one of the mentors. He took me early on. He taught me what to do when you’re DJing with a crowd.
CM: How do you balance the creative and the business side of DJing?
SB: A lot of it is knowing your worth. You need to know your worth. I did my time, I’ve done my free shows, I’ve put in all the work and at that point you realize, “All right, I need to start charging this as a business.” And you have to get to a point where like, for me, I’ve been doing it for a while now that, you’re paying for what you get. Cuz I have my experience, I’ve done my time and you do have to separate that sometimes.
But every now and then there comes an opportunity where like, “Hey, do you wanna do this?” And it can be something that I really like, you know, and I would do anything I love for free, like free of charge. But when it comes to certain things, there’s a limit. Like, okay, I need to charge for this because I invest a lot of money into equipment and stuff. So for me it’s like you have to pick and choose.
CM: Which local venues have been been supportive?
SB: Las Palmas, they’re huge. They’re big supporters. Bart Lounge, they’ve been supportive, Pretty Faces. Palm Springs Art Museum. They’re really supportive.
CM: Is there a venue or festivals that you would like to get into?
SB: Yeah I would love to play Coachella, definitely. Coachella would be a dream. Internationally, like in the world, I would love to play venues all across America. Even Mexico. I would love to DJ in Mexico. But there is no limit to where I don’t want to play. There’s a lot of places I’d love to play. There’s a new place here called Reforma. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it. I would love to play there.
CM: Is there anything that you would want see changed as far as the music industry?
SB: I do want to see, especially here locally, I do wanna see venues reach out to local talent. A lot of the venues here are going for places in LA and bringing people from all over the world. It’s cool. But like, there’s a lot of local talent here and I think a lot of venues should do that.
On the business aspect, I feel like I learned a lot of it from business school. Like a lot of this is advice is for younger DJs, you need to protect yourself with contracts. You need to give these people (venues) contracts. Like, I’m providing this service, this is how much I’m getting paid for. And you have to put terms and agreements so my equipment is safe. Like if anything happens to my equipment, you’re responsible for that. All those clauses you need to put in your contracts. Cuz a lot of venues, they expect you to come in and it’s word of mouth, you know, and you need physical contracts to be signed. So then nothing happens, because word of mouth it’s good, but you need that reassurance with the contract. Like, “All right, you got me to play,” sign the contract, you’re good and make it professional because it’ll help you out in the long run.
CM: Are you active on social media?
SB: Yeah, I’m active. I try to post as often as I can. I try to get as much content of people having a good time. You kind of have to in the DJ business because if you want people to come to see you — you have to put yourself out there.
CM: Is there any downside?
SB: Yeah, mentally, it is draining, you know, like just constantly on your phone. I try not to look at it like that — it’s a balance. You have to balance everything. The only downside is, I wish I didn’t have to use it as much to promote everything. Cuz everything is now digital, everything’s like instant. Everyone wants it right away. So I kind of wish things were a little bit to the point where I didn’t have to rely on social media, you know?
CM: But as a DJ, you have to do a little bit of everything if you don’t have a manager, or anything like that. Right?
SB: Yeah, I’m the one editing my videos. I’m doing all this. I do a lot of things that a lot of people don’t see behind the scenes. Like when I’m talking to clients, I have to write up contracts, I have to do all this, and then setting up the equipment before a show and then making sure everything’s all right. Then the preparation with the music, what kind of music they like. And then when I play venues, I have to make sure I do the sound check and all this.
CM: You’re learning all the ins-and-outs of the business.
SB: Yeah. I’m to the point where I feel comfortable playing anywhere. I’m trying to get to the point where I can learn as much as I can and just be unstoppable. I want to get to the point where I can use any controller, any piece of equipment, and any venue, any sound system, and I can just be ready. Like, “No exceptions.”
CM: Where do you go to recharge your creative energy?
SB: I go to Joshua Tree often — the nature, it just calms me down. And I get inspired by like the desert itself. A lot of people from the valley may not realize, but it’s really pretty here. And I feel like when you’re from here, you get used to it. It’s normal for us, but people from everywhere else are so surprised when they come here. And then you see why a lot of people love it here. But Joshua Tree is one of them. And sometimes just in my room, like just online looking for new music, I find inspiration in that. A lot of my inspiration or creativeness just comes from relaxing, because my mind’s everywhere. I need to be calm to help out my creative process.
CM: Do you have any other creative talent besides music? I see you taking photos with a disposable camera at Las Palmas New Years Eve. Is photography one of them?
SB: Yeah, it’s a side hobby. I like film photography. I have some film cameras. I just like capturing memories. I love giving a picture to someone and being like, “Hey, this is a memory.” And cuz now everything’s digital, everyone can just take a picture. But if you have it physically with you, it’s just, I think it’s cool.
CM: Are you shooting any music videos?
SB: I have some in the works. I have a song that I’m working on right now, so I’m planning on shooting that in the future.
CM: Where do you see yourself 5 to 10 years from now?
SB: I see myself established. I want to get to the point where I’m doing it every weekend, you know, working, not just here in the valley, but even around the world. I want to be able to DJ venues and see the world.
CM: What do you love most about the music industry?
SB: The feeling you get. I don’t think nothing compares to like, the feeling you get when you and the crowd are all on the same page and you can feel them having a good time. I’m having a good time. I think the feeling is probably the best thing cuz nothing compares to that and that’s the reason why I always did it, you know, cuz it always made me feel happy. It gave me a purpose really. So that’s why I love it and I don’t think I’ll ever stop doing it. I’m gonna be DJing until like, I’m old (laugh) you know.
CM: Is there anything else you’d like to mention that we haven’t talked about?
SB: To support local artists, support local businesses. Yeah. it’s a small valley, but I feel like if we all come together it’s just better for all of us, you know?
CM: Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.
