Exclusive Interview: Gregor Salto x House Club Set

Dutch DJ and producer Gregor Salto, one of the most recognized names in the international house music scene, has built a career that has taken him to the stages of the world's biggest festivals and clubs, including Tomorrowland. In this exclusive interview with Syndimedia House Club Set for Danceland, Salto shares his perspective on today's electronic music landscape, reflecting on the evolution of DJing, the impact of technology, and the challenges facing the next generation of artists.

What is your relationship with the Italian audience, and what does performing in Italy mean to you?

I love playing in Italy. I believe it's the country where I've performed the most, apart from the Netherlands. It's always a pleasure to come back. I have many Italian friends, and I consider Italy a very special place, both because of its culture and the incredible energy of the audience. And of course, the food is amazing, so it's really hard to find anything negative about it.

How do you evaluate the evolution of the DJ scene compared to when you started your career?

When I started, becoming a DJ was much more difficult and expensive. You needed professional equipment like Technics SL-1200 turntables, and you had to buy vinyl records, which were a significant investment. At the beginning of my career, I played four-hour sets every night, and I had to spend a large part of my earnings building my music collection by purchasing new records. Back then, breaking into the industry wasn't easy. Very few people owned turntables, and being a DJ still had an exclusive appeal. With the arrival of CDJs and, later, digital technology, everything became much more accessible. Today, you can start with nothing more than a laptop or even a smartphone. This has truly democratized DJing. There are far more DJs than there used to be, and anyone with passion can pursue this career. On one hand, I see this as a positive development. On the other hand, the huge increase in the number of DJs has made it much harder to stand out. Technically speaking, many aspects of DJing have become easier. With vinyl, you had to master manual beatmatching and overcome a range of technical challenges that modern technology has almost completely eliminated. At the same time, today's tools allow for much greater creativity through loops, acapellas, and other features that were once available only to experienced professionals. What I appreciate less is the tendency to label anyone with minimal experience as a DJ. Personally, after thirty years in this profession, I still learn something new every single day. Nowadays, image and networking can sometimes carry more weight than musical skills, and that's not something I always agree with.

What are the biggest challenges today for someone who wants to make a living exclusively from music?

First of all, I believe the most important quality for a DJ is musical taste. I'd rather listen to someone who may not be technically flawless but constantly surprises me with their music selection than to a technically perfect DJ who lacks musical personality. As for the profession itself, making a living from music is becoming increasingly difficult. At the beginning of your career, you need to invest a lot of time and energy while maintaining a strong ability to persevere. Of course, talent, opportunities, and a certain amount of luck also play an important role. When I started, it certainly wasn't easy, but I believe it's even harder today. Social media has become a central part of the industry and is often a decisive factor in achieving success. An artist with excellent online communication skills can reach remarkable results even without being the best DJ or producer. If you compare a highly talented musician with little social media presence to someone who is extremely effective at digital communication, the latter probably has a better chance of breaking through today. I don't believe this necessarily benefits the artistic quality of the scene, but it's the reality we have to deal with.

Among all your productions, which one best represents your career, and which has had the greatest impact on your audience?

In Italy, I'd definitely say "Para Voce." It's the track people expect to hear and the one that is still requested during my sets. If I don't play it, someone will always remind me.
As for the production I'm most proud of, it's difficult to choose. Maybe my best track hasn't been made yet. To me, a great production is a timeless record—one that still works many years after its release. Tracks like "Paranda Loca" or "Otro Dia" perfectly represent that idea. I produced them years ago, yet whenever I listen to them today, I still feel they have their own identity and strength. That's what makes me proudest of my work: creating music that continues to stand the test of time.

Our conversation with Gregor Salto offers a clear snapshot of how the DJ industry has transformed over the past few decades. Between technological innovation, greater accessibility, and the growing influence of digital communication, one message stands out above all: regardless of evolving tools and trends, musical taste, experience, and dedication remain the essential foundations for building a lasting career in electronic music.