10 questions with Limerick’s DJ Pinot G

DJ Pinot G is quickly carving out a name for himself in the Irish club scene with his unique selections and energy

DJ Pinot G , formally known as Mark Griffin, is a DJ from Castletroy, Limerick who is looking for your help to get him to Electric Picnic

Starting just over 4 years ago, DJ Pinot G has performed throughout Limerick, Ireland and beyond. Pinot G started DJing in the University of Limerick after being inspired by his older brother and further honed his skills in the DJ Society. Through the DJ Society he was able to perform in front of a packed Stable’s Club and this was only the beginning. Moving on up to gigs in Pharmacia and then Dolan’s Warehouse for huge names like Tommy Holohan, Clouds, Morgan Seatree and Route94. Pinot G has also featured on lineups in Amsterdam, Belfast and Manchester! 

Quickly after starting, he set up his own collective AT.IT events to host events for young music lovers in Limerick, Galway and Dublin. He runs this independently and has had sold out shows for hundreds of punters. He also used this platform to raise over €3,000 for Movember through charity events.

DJ Pinot G is quickly carving out a name for himself in the Irish club scene with his unique selections and energy. His hard work over the years has now landed him into Smirnoff’s The Residency competition for a slot at Ireland’s biggest music festival; Electric Picnic. 

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VOTING LINK

1. How would you describe your sound?

I would describe my sound as energetic chunky house layered with catchy vocals and sprinkled with classics that accommodates people’s dance moves on the dancefloor. I love to dance when I am playing and I imagine myself in the crowd when I perform. My sound is littered with multiple genres to keep the punters on their toes; with the crowd not knowing what could be unveiled next!

2. What first sparked your interest in DJing, and what made you decide to pursue it?

I first became interested in DJing when I saw my brother playing on his DDJ400 decks in the house, later seeing him playing at house parties around Limerick and releasing his own mixes. I then became very interested in starting when I found my own friend groups in college who would showcase their own skills and host dance music events for us then students! I first looked into what it meant to be a DJ, and began stockpiling tunes in my own playlists and found what music I liked through scouring live set tracklists and SoundCloud mixes and playlists. Before I had even touched the decks properly, I had amassed a library of over 1000 tracks all organised into weekly dig playlists and energy profiles!

3. How has growing up in Limerick influenced your sound?

I would like to say that I was influenced by huge artists coming from Limerick, but in actual fact it was mixing with the wide range of imports into the county that influenced me most. The students that were DJs and the people running parties like Equinox, Cabal and Reboot influenced how I portrayed my sound as they were the parties I had attended and subconsciously I wanted to showcase my skills to these to eventually perform on one of their lineups (which I was successful in) 

4. Who is your biggest influence and how have they inspired you?

My biggest influence was my brother, Michael Griffin. From the beginning watching him perform and soaking up his music taste, he has been a northern star in my career. He opened my eyes to a world that has given me so much friends, achievements and experiences so far. I cannot thank him enough for the guidance, inspiration and support he has given me, not just in music but in all aspects of my life. I am eternally grateful 

5. How important was the University of Limerick DJ Society in helping you develop?

The University of Limerick as a whole has been immense in helping me develop as a musician but also as a person. To be able to interact with such a plethora of like minded individuals was crucial in my development as a whole and I will always love UL. The DJ Society specifically allowed me to grow and flourish as a performer with their weekly deck sessions; where we could all interact and swap material with each other and their weekly Techno Tuesdays; which allowed my first ever gig to be in front of hundreds of people filled with close friends and acquaintances. The DJ Society was a breathing ground for innovation within all members. 

6. How would you describe the atmosphere at one of your sets?

The atmosphere in my sets varies! Being an upcoming DJ you are faced with different slots on different lineups with varying energy needed for each individual one! My ideal set would be paired with a hip-shaking groovy atmosphere with punters getting lost in the beat but coming up out of it to sing along to a classic. I enjoy bringing the crowd through emotions , allowing them to get lost in it and then bringing them right back to grab their mates with a song they all know and love.

7. What would be the dream gig for you to perform at and why?

My dream gig would be a sunset slot at the Smirnoff stage at Electric Picnic. I say this as I understand the scale of EP and know that a lot of my friends wouldn’t be at some of the dream sets I would have thought in the past. It would be a dream as I would have all my friends from all the different avenues of my life, come together and be united under the one roof listening to my set.

8. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced over the past four years?

I suppose a massive challenge that we all face, not just in music is the massive increase in social media influence in music. I understand that it can be a great tool for people to get themselves out there but, it can be mentally draining to constantly have to post photos, videos and announcements that can all be triggers to an anxious mind. The approval of your work based off of likes and follower counts has been something that has challenged me in the past and something that I am actively working on.

9. What advice would you give to any young DJs hoping to kickstart their career?

Just start! The best time to start is today. I started just around 4 years ago and I haven’t looked back. The experiences I have had from this, and the person it made me, is something that I could have never dreamed of. I also think it is great to have something you are working on just for the enjoyment of it. When I started it was just a hobby and a passion that I did for the sheer pleasure of doing it, now I get to join like minded people on lineups to play music all over Ireland and the world.

10. What’s your favourite thing about Limerick?

My favourite thing about Limerick is that it is my home. I was born here, I know it inside out. I love the people and the interactions I have had with people. I love it because I am passionate about making it better and I am proud to welcome people here when they arrive. Just recently I showed a group of my Dublin friends who are DJs and I found that I had a real sense of pride about myself showing them around to the different spots. I was reminded by them of how nice it is. I don’t have one favourite thing about Limerick off the top of my head but I feel and know the love is there because of that.