Presence behind the decks is easy to recognize and harder to define. It can be heard in track selection and pacing, and seen in the way a DJ responds to the room. For Carlos Thombs (@thombs), brand manager at Beatport LATAM, that presence comes from years of practice and discipline, supported by the people working alongside him.
That idea has become increasingly relevant across DJ culture as attention competes with cameras, content demands, travel schedules, and the pressure to maintain a public profile. Thombs uses preparation and consistent health routines to remain focused on the music and the people in front of him. His approach starts before the set and continues through each decision he makes in the booth.
In the interview below, Carlos Thombs explains how he prepares for changes in the room and what helps him regain his focus when distractions appear. He also discusses the relationship between enjoyment and confidence, along with the practical habits that allow a DJ to remain present throughout a performance.
Interview With Carlos Thombs
What does presence behind the decks mean to you in actual terms?
For me, presence behind the decks is the result of years spent building a music career. It comes from hours of practice and study, along with personal sacrifice and support from a good team. Those elements create the confidence and authenticity that people recognize as presence.
How do you stay mentally and physically engaged while everything moves quickly around you?
I try to stay focused and balanced. Meditation and exercise help me take care of my physical and mental health. The music industry can be demanding and full of distractions, so maintaining that balance helps me focus on my goals and remain connected to what matters.
What are the usual signs you notice in yourself that tell you you’re locked into a set on the decks?
Preparation is key. I like to plan my set while keeping extra tracks ready in case I need to adapt to the audience’s response. I know I am fully focused when I feel connected to the music I am playing because that emotion is what I share with the audience.
Most importantly, I am having fun and creating a genuine party atmosphere.
What helps you return to focus if your attention starts to move away from what is really important while playing?
I try to remain present, one day at a time and one moment at a time. If I have worries or feel anxious about something, I do my best to set those thoughts aside before I play. I also avoid anything that might distract me from the music and the connection I am building with the crowd.
Do you think audiences sense when a DJ is fully present and focused on content, promotion, or anything other than the floor?
Absolutely. The audience can sense a DJ’s mindset and level of attention.
The atmosphere we create and the intention behind our performance are communicated through the set. People may not always be able to explain what they notice, though they can recognize when the DJ’s attention has moved away from the room.
How has your understanding of presence changed over time?
Over time, I have realised that presence comes from genuinely enjoying what I do. When I am doing work I love, I naturally become more present. Alongside discipline and professionalism, I try to find enjoyment in each experience and focus on the moment rather than the past or future.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
