From Humble Beginnings to Global Soundwaves
At just 10 years old, Travis J. Sewchan—now globally known as djtj—was unknowingly laying the foundation for a future in music. Back then, he was curating tracks for his school dance, carefully recording each onto cassette tapes. Even in those early moments, his deep connection with music was unmistakable.
As an early teenager, Travis and his friends built a bootleg studio in his garage, writing and recording their own songs for fun, a moment that would become his career path a almost a decade later. Today, Travis stands as a respected cultural force in Dubai’s music scene, creating spaces for other artists while still moving dance floors with his signature sound.
From burning CD’s during the LimeWire days, to engineering on Grammy associated albums and building Dubai’s most important music community platforms, djtj’s story is not only one of skill, but of grit, humility and purpose.
[Digitalheartbeats 2012]
Music Was Never a Hobby—It Was a Calling
Growing up, music wasn’t background noise for Travis—it was a lifeline. From constantly playing tracks on his Discman all day at school to jumping out of the shower to skip a song, music was ever-present. Yet, he didn’t initially see it as a career path.
After pursuing a degree in Dramatic Arts with minors in Speech Communications and English, a personal low post-university forced Travis to reflect on his true passion. That reflection led him to Metalworks Institute, a renowned Canadian music school—a turning point.
Between enrolling in an Audio Production/Sound Engineering program and becoming a partner with Dujon Walker to co-run and build Digitalheartbeats, an independent record label, Travis realized this lifelong obsession with music wasn’t random—it was destiny.
Engineering Magic in Toronto’s Legendary Studios
His journey took a leap when he stepped into Toronto’s elite music scene. Noel Cadastre recruited him after graduation to be a helping hand during Drake’s Take Care sessions, which led to becoming one of the first interns and assistants just before OVO officially became a record label. I was on the ground level, witnessing and being a part of history without even knowing it.
From recording sessions with the likes of Keisha Chanté, J. Cole, Justin Bieber, Boi-1da, The Weeknd, Illangelo which eventually led to Travis becoming a Lead Engineer during the iconic Nothing Was The Same album era. One building, eight studio setups, writing and recording with many artists and frequently with the OVO roster of Drake, PARTYNEXTDOOR, dvsn, Roy Woods, and Majid Jordan. He earned shared engineering credits with Noah “40” Shebib for the number one hit Hold On, We’re Going Home, and several more on both albums.
Those sessions are what connected Travis to become Majid Jordan’s lead engineer, a feeling he described as what felt like being the third silent member of the duo. He toured with them across 75+ worldwide shows and festivals, not just as an engineer, but as the Front of House Engineer, Monitor Engineer, opening DJ, and afterparty warm up set. His DJ career began to take off rapidly in the city.
For many, that would be the dream. For Travis, it was just the beginning.
(Noah ‘40’ Shebib & Travis @ OVO Fest 2013)
Rebirth in Dubai: No Co-signs, No Shortcuts
Moving to Dubai wasn’t part of a grand strategy. By chance, a time-sensitive opportunity came knocking and within three weeks he agreed to a one-year contract in Dubai. It was a leap of faith. No connections, no industry handshakes—just a man with a vision: a hard drive & heart full of music.
What he built from scratch is nothing short of extraordinary. He co-founded Mixed Feelings Creative with close collaborator Behruz Mistry, putting on talented DJ’s who were once unknown and now booked all across the UAE.. they are continuously building a home for innovation in the regional music scene. From there, the awards and recognition started rolling in—from winning Time Out Dubai’s Best Resident DJ one year and Higjly Commended the next, launching the Rework series, and headlining the Untold Festival.
All while working with some the biggest brands in the UAE and earning residencies at top bars, venues, and clubs across the city. If it has a big name or a good reputation, he’s probably played there. Currently, I’m playing at Iris, The Nice Guy, Miss Lily’s, Surf Club, Bohemia, Monkey Bar, and BCH:CLB—and that’s just a few from Q1 of 2025.
Yet even with all of that – his most heartfelt accomplishment is Pass The Aux.
Pass The Aux: Not Just a Meetup, It’s a Movement
Pass the Aux is Travis’s most ambitious, soulful project to date is a platform designed to be inclusive, intentional, and deeply connected. Think role-associated-color-coded networking bracelets, speed networking as ‘Tempo Talks’, and an industry think tank ‘For The Record’ —all while regional artists submit original tracks to be played exclusively at each event. Travis crafts a movie file that projects every artist’s name and song with a QR code linking directly to their website, making sure the community supports the arts directly.
And if that wasn’t enough, Highlight and Spotlight Artist performances round out the night—building a platform and community from the ground up. It’s a creative ecosystem, built with care from myself and our incredible PTA Team. We’re super blessed to hear that it’s already shifting how artists collaborate in Dubai.According to Travis, “The goal isn’t to DJ weekly residencies forever—but instead for the curated, special & selective sets I can choose to do. Meanwhile, I want to contribute toward building the foundation of Dubai’s expanding music industry. Many have already started; I just want to do my part in any way I can.”
Early Hustles: From Desktop Computers to Full Clubs
Before success, Travis was the guy dragging his entire desktop computer to gigs because he couldn’t afford a laptop. Every step was a hustle—whether it was DJing house parties, trying to break into Toronto’s club circuit, or proving myself as the new guy, by myself—in rooms filled with long-time friends, partners, and acts.
Even with all that accomplished, I still feel like I’m not there yet—the bar is forever raising and my definition of success is ever-evolving. But I’m definitely the most confident in who I am – more than I’ve ever been.
Lessons From the Journey: Consistency Over Clout / Impact Over Image
Travis is clear about one thing: never compare your path to anyone else’s. He built a two-decade career without ever having a traditional 9-5. His success wasn’t handed to him nor did it come from hype, but instead it came from consistency, kindness, and a deep belief in the power of showing up.
“Talent helps, but mindset, humility, and discipline matter just as much,” he says. He urges young artists to document their progress, protect their energy, and stay grounded even when nobody’s watching.
“I’ve realized that being kind, being honest, and staying true to your purpose will take you places that hype never could. There were times I doubted myself, times I felt lost, but having a vision—even a blurry one—gave me direction. Everything I do now is intentional, fueled by passion and respect for the art, even if no one sees it yet. Because the work always finds a way to speak for itself.”
For Travis, it’s not about viral moments. It’s about legacy.
Two Identities, One Mission
As djtj, Travis wants to be known for electrifying energy and unmatched music curation. He leaves his soul on the decks with every set and the crowd always feels it – truly owning the title of Official VC (vibe curator,)
But as Travis J. Sewchan, he wants to be remembered for something deeper—a cultural architect who helped build bridges, opened doors, and created meaningful platforms and moments for others. He envisions being one of the connectors between Toronto and Dubai, and being part of someone else’s reason to believe in themselves.
Travis’s story is far from over. With Pass The Aux gaining momentum and Dubai’s creative scene evolving fast, he’s focused on pushing the boundaries and making moves with intention. He’s not just DJing- he’s redefining what it means to be an artist, leader and a visionary in today’s world.
Final Words of Wisdom
When asked what he’d tell his younger self—a message equally fitting for aspiring creatives—Travis offered:
“Think bigger. Focus on craft, not clout. Your path won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s the point. Take yourself seriously, and others will too. Determination, grit, gratitude, and self-awareness will take you further than any co-sign. Be kind. Be focused. And remember: greatness is already yours—you just have to catch up to it. So keep going. Keep growing. Everything you want is already on the other side of consistency and care.”
Follow Travis J. Sewchan on Instagram: @djtj__
Stay tuned for upcoming Pass the Aux events, Rework series drops, and more cultural innovation from one of the most inspiring voices in music today.
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