DJ Charly Templar Exclusive Interview for EDMDroid Asia

1. Please tell us and our readers more about the nightlife in UAE right now in times of Covid, especially in your current base of Abu Dhabi.

The UAE generally provides the right kind of environment to host safe parties, but at the same time astounding and crazy experience. The emirate hosts some of the most famous nightclubs in the world. It is the home of many talented DJs and regularly hosts the most well-known ones from across the globe. UAE has managed the pandemic better than any other nation in my opinion. The strict precautionary measures imposed in Abu Dhabi last year are what allowed us to party safely today.

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2. How long have you been DJing & Producing and what can we expect next from you?

I have always nurtured a passion from my early teenage years. I first graced the decks when I was 20. The passion turned into a dream job when I played a private party for TIESTO in 2010 during his tour in Bangkok, Thailand. I haven’t really produced given the multi tasks I hold at once, but I am known for creating some of the most interesting mashups and engaging with the partygoers during my eclectic sets.

3. What has been your best and your worst gig experience so far. Be honest please, don't hold back.

Looking back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from all these years, I tend to forget all the worst gigs. But as anyone else, I had ups and downs. My worst gig was during my regional DJ tour in Australia years ago. While I was playing, the crowd was so drunk, demanding, and excited that someone spilled their glass of alcohol on my turntables. The music stopped and the club had to change decks while the tetchy crowd was growing in anger. In the midst of all this, a fight broke, and the club had to shut down.

My best gig was at the Green Mango in Koh Samui, Thailand in 2015. It was so exceptional that the owner of the club has flown me every 3 months from Australia to Thailand for the past 5 years until Covid arrived.

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4. If you had to choose, which profession would you be going with? DJ or something else?

Interesting question. Growing up my dream was to become either a Fire fighter, an Educator, a PT or a professional DJ. Guess what? I have done all four jobs. I am currently doing the last three jobs simultaneously.

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5. Top 3 tracks at the moment?

Djin by SAHALE (Ethnic)
Ala mojr by SHKOON (Deep House)
Okay by ADEKUNLE GOLD (Afrobeat)

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6. Are you keen on cooking up an exclusive mix for us and our readers ? (60min)

Of course, I am keen to ‘cook up’ a mix that will feature any/every genre for such a popular and well-known mag like yours.

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7. What are you doing now during this pandemic?

I have been very fortunate to hold a DJ/Music consultant residency at one of the top 100 best hotels in the world (Park Hyatt Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi) I DJ there 4 nights a week and 1 night a week at the best Abu Dhabi club/lounge (Annex). In the mornings, I am an Educator, teaching online for a few hours. In the afternoon, I provide fitness classes to private clients.