Somnium Space’s DJ Night is about to get a serious injection of spontaneous energy on May 1st, and one of the artists stepping up to the virtual decks is none other than ØMEN. A passionate VRDJ and World/Shader/Script developer, who went from throwing his own events in other social VR worlds to becoming a Somnium Space Ambassador, ØMEN brings raw bass, crowd-reading intuition, and a love for mixing anything that moves bodies or tickles ears.
We caught up with him ahead of his highly anticipated set to talk roots, the jump into VR, why Somnium feels like home, and what the community can expect when the bass drops on May 1st.
Somnium Times: Let’s start with your roots. How did you first get into DJing, and what or who sparked that passion? Was there a particular moment, track, or scene that made you realize this was what you wanted to do?
ØMEN: I got into DJing by going to raves and festivals IRL. Then the pandemic hit, everyone grabbed VR headsets, and we all dove into social VR games. After a while I started my own group and was paying virtual reality DJs to perform for us. Eventually I thought, “I want to learn this myself.” That was the spark.
Somnium Times: You perform as a VRDJ in virtual worlds. When and how did you first discover virtual reality, and what made you decide to take your DJing into VR?
ØMEN: It all ties back to that same pandemic moment. VR headsets became the escape, and social VR became the new nightlife. Once I saw what DJs could do in those spaces, I knew I had to be behind the decks instead of just in the crowd.
As a (Somnium Space, red.) ambassador you’re given the actual tools to monetize yourself exactly how you want
Somnium Times: How did you come across Somnium Space? What was your first impression of the platform, and what made you want to start performing there?
ØMEN: One of my staff members got reached out to by Meloz. I decided to contact them myself and asked for a tour.
Somnium Times: You’ve mentioned that being part of Somnium Space’s Ambassador Program let you buy a brand-new deck. How did you first hear about the program? What was the application or selection process like for you, and what have you been able to contribute as an ambassador so far?
ØMEN: I heard about it straight from Meloz during that tour. It felt super unique, especially since I was already paying DJs to play on other platforms. The process was straightforward. I showed Meloz a few of my sets and some worlds I’d built elsewhere. As an ambassador I’ve brought several of my DJ buddies over to Somnium, helped with scripts to make avatar and world building easier, and I’ve been vocal about features I’d love to see. They’ve actually listened and are implementing some as we speak!
For DJs, the Tip Jar is a game-changer. You get tipped instantly in-game and the payout hits your account in just a few days through Stripe.
Somnium Times: As an ambassador and performer, what’s your take on Somnium Space overall? In particular, how do features like the Tip Jar and other monetization options change the game for VR DJs compared to other platforms?
ØMEN: It’s amazing. As an ambassador you’re given the actual tools to monetize yourself exactly how you want. For DJs, the Tip Jar is a game-changer. You get tipped instantly in-game and the payout hits your account in just a few days through Stripe. Most DJs I know still rely on CashApp or PayPal on other platforms, which can lead to refund issues. Here there’s none of that stress.
Somnium Times: Performing in VR is still pretty new territory for a lot of artists. How does DJing in VR feel different from a real-world set? Are there any unique advantages, or challenges, you’ve run into with avatars, crowd energy, or the tech?
ØMEN: It feels different because without full-body tracking it can be harder to read the crowd in real time, figuring out when to slow things down, hype them up, or throw in something extra to entertain. But the advantages are massive. I’ve been able to DJ for IRL venues straight from my home via VRCDN, reach audiences I never imagined, and honestly, without virtual reality I would never have discovered this side of myself.
Somnium Times: Your sets have a distinct energy which we believe clearly resonates in Somnium. What’s your musical style or mix of influences, and how do you adapt or evolve it when you’re playing live in a virtual world like this?
ØMEN: My style is very spontaneous. I love to mix anything! My all-time favorite is anything that gets your body moving with heavy bass or those brain-vibrating sounds that just hit right. Adapting live is all about reading the crowd: who’s dancing, what sounds are lighting them up, what keeps the vibe flowing so everyone feels it in their soul.
Be yourself and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You’ll never know what you can discover if you stay comfortable forever
Somnium Times: For anyone dreaming of becoming a VR DJ or performing in Somnium Space, what advice would you give? Any practical tips on gear, mindset, building a virtual audience, or getting started with events and programs like the Ambassador initiative?
ØMEN: For anything in life, not just Somnium, be yourself and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You’ll never know what you can discover if you stay comfortable forever. On gear: I started on keyboard and mouse, then picked up a small Numark party mixer on Facebook Marketplace. The biggest tip for VR DJing is having either two PCs (one for being in VR, one for streaming and DJ software) or one really solid machine that can handle everything at once.
Somnium Times: You’re performing in Somnium Space on May 1st and we’re looking forward to that! What can the community expect from that set? Anything special up your sleeve? Or should they just check it out, have a good time and immerse in the music?
ØMEN: Expect bass, and lots of it! Make sure to wear headphones. Other than that, just come ready to have a good time and immerse yourself in the music.
ØMEN’s journey from IRL raver to Somnium Space Ambassador shows exactly why Somnium Space is the new frontier for DJs: direct connection with the crowd, real monetization, and the freedom to be spontaneous on a global stage. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering him for the first time, his May 1st set is guaranteed to shake the virtual dance floor.
So don’t miss it. Log into Somnium Space on May 1st for DJ Night and let the bass take you somewhere new.
Follow ØMEN on X and Instagram!
About Somnium Space
Somnium Space, the company behind the VR1, also runs a blockchain-based virtual reality platform that allows users to create, experience, and monetize content and applications. The platform is committed to building a decentralized and immersive VR world that offers users a unique and engaging experience.
Discord: https://discord.gg/somniumspace
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