Crossfader · Student Spotlight

We flew a student from New York to Toolroom studios

A few years ago, Martin was what he calls a ‘kitchen DJ’, first falling in love with DJing at house parties. He eventually started winning open deck slots and throwing his own events across Jersey and New York under his DJ name, The Main Course.

He recently won the Crossfader competition with Toolroom Academy and spent a day in the studio with Lewis John. We sat down for an interview about his DJ journey and what he’s learned on his way up.

What made you want to start DJing in the first place?

“Pure curiosity. I saw someone on the decks at a house party and besides already having a passion for electronic/dance music, I loved how technical it looked so I wanted to try myself. I was starting from scratch, never played an instrument before — so it became a new creative outlet.”

What was your biggest struggle when you first started?

“Both the technical elements of the equipment and building a proper set. My first sets were more like a playlist of my liked songs on shuffle — wide range of genres, all over the place on BPM. Not ideal.”

What nearly made you quit?

“Honestly? Never had that feeling. Once I hit my early goals — even the small ones — it became about having fun, because I already proved it to myself. I call it ‘playing with house money’. I can take more risks, there’s no pressure. I’ve already won.”

“I call it playing with house money. I can take more risks, there’s no pressure. I’ve already won.”

— The Main Course, Crossfader Student

What was your breakthrough moment where things finally clicked?

“An open decks event. I travelled an hour from home on a Wednesday at 11pm — work the next day — waited in a lottery with 25 hungry DJs. My name got drawn. After barely figuring out the CDJs, I dropped my closing track… and in that moment thought: wow, I can actually do this.”

What goal are you working towards right now?

“Play a major venue with an amazing sound system — but really? Play my own produced songs in my set. I want people there because they want to hear my music, not just because of the venue.”

What’s currently holding you back?

“Time. Everyday life keeps pulling me away from creating and getting the reps in. If I had unlimited time, I could do so much more.”

Who are your biggest DJ inspirations?

“Hot Since 82, Rossi, Kolter, Franky Rizardo, Demi Riquisimo. They have their own sound, their own labels, and they do it all with full passion. But I’m equally inspired by my local DJ friends watching them grow in front of me — that hunger is just as motivating.”

What advice would you give to someone starting from zero today?

“Stay curious and make it past the little hurdles. There will be days you’re tired or something seems scary. Just push a little bit more, lean into it — and you’ll be pleasantly surprised what you can learn about yourself.”