A chat with US DJ, Deku...

Deku doesn’t just DJ—he curates atmospheres. Whether it’s a low-lit afterhours mix or a spontaneous in-store at Mad Radio Café, his sets are rooted in deep connection: with sound, with space, with whoever’s tuned in. Based between Miami and New York, his minimal-dub sensibility is shaped by the humid swirl of his hometown and sharpened through international travel, shaped equally by elegant sonic restraint and bold introspection. His new two-tracker Without You / What It Meant marks a personal turning point, crafted for the heads and pressed to wax with intent. A vinyl purist and self-described minimalist with a melancholic touch, Deku channels mood over momentum—each set and release quietly recalibrating what deep can mean. We caught up with recently to learn more…

Tell me about your recent set at Mad Radio Café for waxndance – how do you approach the energy and spontaneity of in-store sets?

I always try to keep it interesting - dust off the dubhouse and minimal oldies, try new blends, drink a glass of wine and put everything into context.

There’s a physicality to vinyl and small venues that seems to suit your style – do you find you play differently in those kinds of settings?

Absolutely, it’s a lot more intimate. I play with intention. It becomes more about them and not me. An unspoken communication, telepathic.

You grew up in Miami – how did the city shape your early listening and outlook on sound?

Miami is an eclectic clusterfuck. Naturally, my music palette started developing towards more advanced and obscure music. I became more aware and appreciative of the less popular yet sonically pleasing music. 

There’s something heat-hazed and subtly intense in your tracks – do you think that comes from Miami’s atmosphere?

I’m a firm believer that we are a byproduct of our surroundings. The atmosphere in this city has had a huge influence on my sound.

You’ve played in New York quite a bit recently – how does the scene there compare, and what does it bring out of you as a DJ?

I love the New York scene. Lots of minimal heads, listening carefully and dancing the night/mornings away. In my experience, they have been so welcoming. It’s the type of crowd that allows me to express myself to the fullest extent without doubting what I’m trying to convey. 

Which cities have pushed or challenged your sound the most?

Miami - This city pushes you to break boundaries and reach beyond what is expected of you with little to no reward but that’s when you stop seeking external validation and you start looking within, mediocrity disappears. Then, you only think about your art and it becomes the only thing that comforts you.

Let’s rewind – what were the first sounds or experiences that got you hooked on music?

I remember being a kid in Colombia and my parents and their friends would rent out clubs or go to their fincas. They would play salsa records all night into the early morning and even past that. I truly believe those were my first after-hours.

You’ve mentioned a love for elegant sounds, glitched layers, and deeply modulated textures – where does that sensibility come from?

A lot of the music I listen to has this rich texture and moving parts that I always found fascinating, fancy even. It gives it so much life, it’s so immersive.

Your current sound feels stripped-back but emotionally rich. How would you describe it in your own words? 

Melancholic Minimal Dub - haha

What drew you to release Without You / What It Meant as a two-tracker – what connects those two pieces for you?

These two tracks are the introduction of a new era for me. 

Can you share the emotional or narrative thread running through that EP? 

Introspection, letting the experiences of the past two years manifest in a creative way, rebelling against my own ego.

There’s always a strong visual identity in your releases – how do you approach things like fonts, artwork, and overall design?

A concoction of bold fonts, contrast and simplicity. 

Why does vinyl still feel like the right medium for your music?

I make music strictly for the heads, for people who love music deeply and appreciate unique styles. With the rise of streaming platforms and AI, I believe exclusivity has become extremely important.

You recently remixed Pneu.a – how do you generally approach a remix? What do you listen for in the original?

I tailor it for the artist I’m remixing. I do a bit of research on what they like about what I do and what they like to play and I  emphasize that. I listen to the main part, then I strip-back, rearrange and highlight my favorite elements. 

Is there a certain mindset or mood you try to preserve when reinterpreting someone else’s work?

Mindset: deconstruct, reduce, re-apply.

Your afterhours mix had this low-lit, immersive quality – how do you curate for home listening versus club play?

For home listening/podcasts, I curate for the active listeners, the minimal heads and the snobs but mostly for myself. For the club, I curate with vibe-setter mentality and the guests in mind.

Do you treat those mixes as storytelling devices or mood pieces?

As mood pieces, ever evolving works of art. 

What role has travel played in broadening your approach, both creatively and personally?

Experiencing different aesthetics, the way each city has a different soundscape and culture, it rewires my creativity and the ideas start to flourish.

Where’s your favourite place to dig for records – any go-to spots or hidden gems?

I’m currently just digging through people’s collections on Discogs but locally T-bag Records, Sweat Records and Technique Records. 

What’s next for Deku – what are you excited to explore or release next?

I’m finishing the second self release and already working on the third as I type this!  

Keep up with Deku on Soundcloud and Instagram

Buy/listen to the release on Bandcamp 

Listen to our premiere of 'Without You' here