Revelers worldwide have come to recognize house music as the spiritual force that it is, but Justyn Joseph Cruz A.K.A. CRUZ CTRL is among the select few artists who approach it with the reverence it deserves. Born in New Jersey to Puerto Rican immigrants who exposed him to early house and techno artists like Sasha & Digweed, Victor Calderone and Jonathan Peters, Cruz was practically destined to become a DJ and producer of electronic music’s most coveted styles. Be that as it may, he’s certainly also worked hard to get where he’s going as well. As a DJ, his knack for turntablism enables him to shape each set into a truly improvisational journey by channeling the energy of the audience at each transition. As a producer, he commands an expert grasp of sound design quality due in no small part to his formal music education. The delicate balance he’s struck between both aspects of dance music has afforded him opportunities to perform at iconic venues throughout the NYC, Florida and Colorado markets. It comes as no surprise that an artist as humble as Cruz would credit his mother for his musical well-roundedness. He recalls that although both of his parents enjoyed clubbing, his mother also exposed him to jazz in his infancy. She sang around the house and taught him to play the piano when he was seven years old, which he speculates gave him his ear for melody and chord progression. He learned to play the drums shortly thereafter, and would go on to develop an interest in sound mixing as a high schooler. Around the time he graduated, his father bought him his first mixdeck - the Numark Mixtrack. After honing his skills with the new gear, he landed his first professional DJ gig at a Paterson, New Jersey club called Mambo Lounge that catered to the top 40 and hip-hop demographic. He continued to pay his dues by spinning at local clubs and weddings, but within only a year he managed to work his way up to performing his first underground dance music set at the world-famous Pacha NYC. With all signs pointing to a career in music, Cruz enrolled in courses at Full Sail University and relocated to Florida in 2012. He bought a copy of the music production software Pro Tools and laid the foundation for his knowledge of sound synthesis while simultaneously networking in the more mainstream EDM industry during the movement’s rapid explosion into mainstream consciousness. His time in the Sunshine State afforded him the opportunity to play a rooftop party at the Congress Hotel during the 2013 edition of Winter Music Conference in Miami, and he frequented Orlando mainstays like The Roxy and Firestone Live (now Gilt Nightclub and Venue 578, respectively). Upon graduation, however, Cruz relocated to Denver, Colorado, where the city’s vibrant underground scene inspired a return to his roots. As he matured into a purveyor of more sophisticated electronic music, he also made a foray into nightlife promotion by organizing events at the renowned Beta Nightclub as well as intimate after hours gatherings at the warehouse venue Ekō House. Cruz himself has played both locations, in addition to other Denver favorites like Club Vinyl, Milk Bar and Hai Bar. As far as original productions are concerned, the CRUZ CTRL sound draws influences from artists such as Mark Knight, Adam Beyer and Dosem. Cruz’ 2015 debut album, Gone for Good, offered up nine aural soundscapes that spanned the stylistic range between dark, introspective techno and tastefully melodic house. Meanwhile, though, Cruz can still be found behind the decks more often than not. He recently made his Las Vegas debut at Techno Taco Tuesday, and will only add to the list of locations he’s played in the months to follow in 2017. Most importantly, no matter where he performs you can rest assured sure that he’ll do so for the right reasons. Whether for an audience of 10 or an audience of 10,000, CRUZ CTRL will transport all in attendance to an ethereal sonic space that transcends entertainment alone. "Flashback" Remix is out now on Soundcloud! https://soundcloud.com/cruzctrlmusic/flashback-cruz-ctrl-remix