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Caleb Ebanks has been churning out tunes as a disc jockey for his audiences in the Cayman Islands since 2006, though he will be the first to tell you that his was foray into the world of spinning beats was not a foregone conclusion but rather a matter of serendipity.
“It all started when my friend Craig from OneWorld entertainment, who was closing down a gig one night, asked me if I wanted to spin a few tunes to end the evening,” Caleb recalls, adding that after dabbling in the art that night, he was asked to do an entire Tuesday night at a club called DJs (no pun intended) on the West Bay Road.
Things just kind of kept going for Caleb after that and his style developed to where he now describes his pulse as that of a soulful, urban, world blend, mixed with a background of old school reggae.
“I just like to hear the music that I like on a sound system. I’m definitely a DJ that marches to the beat of his own drum,” says Caleb. He explains that his style lends itself more to lounges, bars, barbecues and happy hours than to night clubs and places that had a set expectation.
Born and raised in the Cayman Islands, Caleb spent six years in Philadelphia, where he says his persona and overall style were influenced heavily, though the DJ adds that he will not sell out or play something that he was uncomfortable with and above all else, he is able to look at the big picture.
“I don’t want to fall into the same foolishness different DJ category. People come to see me because I am not playing what everyone else is playing. It’s basically music that can be listened to leisurely, but don’t be afraid to dance,” declares the 28-year-old.
After the initial baptism by fire that Caleb experienced at DJs Lounge, “things only got easier from there.” He bought his own equipment not long after that and worked on his craft at home.
The mild mannered DJ says he likes to let the music speak for itself but admits that he realises a DJ should have a bit to say on occasion.
Growing up in Cayman has influenced his style a great deal, and he explains that more could be done by way of experimenting with new genres of music, which is where he feels he could make the greatest contribution to the scene. “All music is about mood, but don’t get stuck is my mantra.”
He currently freelances, in addition to doing some work with Oneworld Entertainment.