South African DJ, producer and event curator DJ Merlon is putting renewed focus on his music after dedicating much of his attention to building live experiences through Anywhere in Your City.
Speaking to TheJournalistDJ.com, Merlon opened up about balancing his creative and business ambitions, spending two years perfecting an upcoming song, and why his South African identity remains central to his international outlook.
A Return to Music on His Own Terms
For Merlon, juggling music production, event organisation and business requires careful decisions about where to direct his energy. He acknowledged that his recording career has sometimes taken a back seat while he develops other parts of his business.
“When your goals pull to different directions, you end up not moving,” he said.
His approach has been to bring those ambitions into alignment, allowing one area to receive more attention when necessary. With his events gaining momentum, he says he is now finding space to refocus on recording.
That renewed attention comes with a commitment to releasing music only when he believes it is ready.
Two Years Spent Getting One Song Right
During the conversation, Merlon revealed that he had spent two years working on an upcoming song, repeatedly revisiting it because he was unhappy with the result.
Even when an earlier version leaked, he remained determined to complete the record to his own standard.
“At some stage it leaked, and I was like, ‘I don’t care, but this is not it,’” he recalled. “Now I finally got it right.”
Merlon linked the lengthy process partly to the demands of his events business. For him, however, taking the extra time was necessary to deliver the quality he wanted listeners to hear.
South African Roots, Global Reach
Asked about balancing local appeal with international recognition, Merlon made it clear that reaching audiences abroad does not mean moving away from his roots.
“The global community has recognised us because of who we are,” he said. “I can’t deny Africa.”
He described his upcoming material as strongly connected to South African audiences, while explaining that remixes can help introduce those records to different international dancefloors.
His view is that the distinctiveness of African music is part of its appeal. Bringing that identity into global spaces gives listeners something they cannot get elsewhere.
Why Successful Events Need Personal Involvement
The interview also explored Merlon’s work as an event curator and the thinking behind Anywhere in Your City.
Reflecting on the hands-on preparation he had observed at the event where the interview took place, he said an organiser’s presence can shape the entire experience.
For Merlon, producing an event is comparable to making music: a team can contribute expertise, but the person behind the vision must remain involved in the decisions.
From stage design to the overall atmosphere, he believes that personal attention helps ensure the finished experience reflects its creator.
“I always make sure that I pour my heart into each and every one of my events,” he said.
Planning for Rain Is Part of the Job
Merlon also discussed the practical demands of staging outdoor events, recalling a December edition of Anywhere in Your City that required preparation for wet weather.
He said the event attracted approximately 10,000 people and described its execution as a proud moment for himself and his team.
His lesson for organisers was straightforward: summer events need plans for both sunshine and rain.
“Why do we plan only for sunny days when you know this could rain also?” he asked.
Rather than treating bad weather as an unexpected complication, Merlon believes organisers should prepare alternative setups from the outset and adjust their plans as the event approaches.
“The World Is Our Home Now”
Beyond his own releases, Merlon encouraged artists to think more broadly about how they promote their music.
Digital platforms, he explained, make a song accessible far beyond the country where it was created. That means artists should consider international listeners when planning their marketing.
“Don’t just limit yourself to South Africa or Africa,” he said.
As he brings his attention back to music, Merlon’s outlook combines a strong connection to home with an ambition to reach listeners everywhere.
“The world is our home now.”
