DJ Damian

My name is Damian, I'm originally from the UK now living in Bangkok Thailand where I develop software and occasionally run latin dance events as a Salsa DJ. I am the founder of the RIBAX open source web application framework www.ribax.org and I spend most of my time developing this framework or implementing solutions for clients. My main hobbies are Salsa and I love to dance Salsa (cuban style) and Sailing and I love to go to the sailing club and thrash around the ocean on a fast beach catamaran (usually a hobie 16).
I was introduced to latin music in 1984 by my sister in law, one of Colombia's foremost folkloric dancers. She took us to many Colombian parties in London and I developed a keen interest in Latin music. I started taking conga lessons and the teacher introduced me to the London School of Samba. From then on I went completely towards Samba and became a regular player with the LSS. In 1991 I went to the carnival in Brasil and came back with 100 albums of Brasilian music.
I used this collection to start playing at parties and samba events. I started collecting latin music to expand my collection however it was easier to buy Salsa than Brasilian music so gradually my collection contained more Salsa than Samba. I was playing a mixed set of Salsa, latin Pop, Samba, MPB at a weekly latin music event and over time my set changed to be mostly Salsa.
I moved to Bangkok in December 2001 and played occasionally at La Rueda, the salsa club in Bangkok. After a few years playing the odd gig I made a commitment to play every Friday night in order to bring some stability to the DJ line up. In April 2005 I opened the Salsa night at Fogo Vivo in Bangkok and it quickly became the best Salsa party in Bangkok. I played there every Friday night for more than a year before going back to England for an extended break. I am now back in Bangkok looking to expand the salsa scene by opening a new club and also play at events in neighbouring countries.
I could have listed Brighton, or Billingham as my home town but I chose the place where I had the most wonderful childhood Staithes . Captain Cook lived in Staithes as a teenager and first became interested in a life at sea while living there. It had the same effect on me. The sea is simply wonderful on this most beautiful stretch of coast and I spent every spare summer moment playing in the water, jumping from the breakwaters, running ahead of the waves as they crash up the street in big storms. My father was a Captain too and the sea is in my blood, in my heart and in my soul. Sailing on the sea is an experience like no other and for me to sail is to be alive.
My upcoming gigs
Every Friday Dream Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 15, 9pm - 1am