Interview: Juan Vesuvius, ‘I Am Your Deejay’

Juan Vesuvius (aka New Zealand’s Barnie Duncan), the suavely outlandish calypso DJ and Caribbean maraca maestro presents his award-winning comedy that takes audiences deep into his own clubbing universe.

Superstar disc jokey Juan Vesuvius brings his turntables to Bristol to deliver the greatest and strangest DJ set you’ve ever experienced. Explore the heady days of early 90s house music with a bona fide musical legend. But why does he need so much towelling? And what really happened between him and David Guetta?

“Doctor Brown, the Mighty Boosh & Sacha Baron Cohen in one man.” The National
“Deserving of comedy superstar status… a hilarious and genuinely enlightening hour. If you’re a fan of comedy, music or history then this show has all three so you can’t lose. It’s one of the most entertaining shows I’ve seen.”
Broadway Baby
“Impressive vinyl mixing, a knowledgeable history of house music, serious socio-political bits plus a lengthy takedown of David Guetta. Well, who wouldn’t want to see that?” Clash Magazine

Let’s meet Mr Vesuvius…

Interesting for you to be performing a show in a theatre, Juan. How will that be for you? And how much of the show is music, and how much theatre?
Yes, it is interest to be being in a theatre, when I am a Deejay. Usually I am in a nightclub, on the cruise ship, at a beauty pageant, something like this. But I like the theatre. Everybody faces the same way. I play records for the whole show, but I am also talking and doing jokes and acting for the whole show too, so is a great challenge and fun for you guys.

The show explores “the heady days of early 90s house music” – has it all been downhill since the early 90s, for you?
Well you know Steve, not so much downhill. Not so much. More sideways across the hill, to find another paddock to sit in for a while.

“But why does he need so much towelling?” Yes, indeed: why?
There are many reasons, but basically towelling is my favourite fabric. I used to work on a cruise ship so I had access to a lot of towels, and I used to cover my room in them. Floors, walls, ceiling, everything.

David Guetta seems to loom large in the show. Tell us more. 
He is my nemesis. He once borrow a small towel from me in Ibiza, in the back room of Pacha, and never gave it back. You never steel another Deejay’s towel.

What one track would you like to send audiences away into the night with, and why?
Move Your Body by Marshall Jefferson… Is the first song to mention the words “House Music” and is so beautiful. It will send you out into the night to look for people wearing nice trouser, to dance with them, and your face will look like a smiley face badge has been made to be big and put on top of your shoulder.

Juan Vesuvius: I Am Your Deejay Wardrobe Theatre, Jan 23 & 24. For more info, visit thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/juan-vesuvius-deejay

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