If you hadn’t already guessed, Worxmas is taking a break this year. More accurately, it’s me that’s taking the break. After 12+ years of self employment, I haven’t had more than 3 days off in a row. So this Christmas, and probably a fair chunk of January, I’m switching off and disconnecting — not totally you understand, but enough that I can recharge.

But I do want you to spare a thought for an industry friend, who earlier this month lost everything in a fire. Daniel Matla, a pioneer in DJ gear customisation, owner of DJ Skins, and thoroughly decent chap woke to find his business ablaze. Thankfully Daniel and his girlfriend escaped from their next door apartment safely, but the business is gone, as is a good amount of his personal possessions. Effectively, his livelihood is no more.

Now it’s easy to glibly type those words in. But I want you to stop, look around you at your stuff in your safe and warm home, and imagine that in a matter of minutes everything you hold dear has gone. Picture yourself stood outside in the dark, helplessly spectating as your life does up in smoke. You’re lost, and everything you knew has changed forever.

To express how he feels, Daniel has put some words together:

I need help. My company burned down on the night last Sunday (03.12.). In the adjoining house was my apartment where my girlfriend and I slept. We’re fine. We have had more than one guardian angel and are incredibly grateful to be alive. 🙏🏼 🛐

After the first shock is processed, the question now is how to proceed. Physically, I have no more than nothing. I could save a bag of clothes and my phone. Even my car burned out… It’s just a break.

The Police and the brands ach have not yet spoken to the cause. It’s absolute chaos.

Everything in the company is either burned, was drowned by the water, or it is covered with toxic soot and hazardous waste. I need help. If you have time to help me with your manpower, with your manpower, if you have something material left, a desk or whatever, or if you just want to send me a on message – I’m happy to hear There are more to this: https://www.dj-skins.com/sos/ Daniel P. S.: Please understand that I do not respond immediately to everything. It’s a lot for me now…

It’s time to give

Over the years, with the help of the industry, we’ve given away many tens of thousands of pounds worth of DJ gear at Worxmas. We’ve done this asking for nothing in return, just because it’s a nice thing to do.

But this year, in the absence of Worxmas, I turn to you, the amazing DJWORX community and ask that you return the goodwill and help out Daniel. I’ve known him for many years — he’s the guy in the business suit riding his skateboard around Musikmesse, always ready to greet me with a big smile and a hug. Indeed, just this year he was relaunching his business, and we discussed ways that we could work together. We got nowhere of course, because we just end up chatting about the industry and skateboarding.

So whether you’re an individual, or the boss of an international DJ company, now is the time to help out someone who has worked hard from nothing to build something real for the DJ scene. I can only imagine how I would feel if I were in Daniel’s position.

So please remember — Christmas is a time for giving, and you can do so right here.

Whatever happens, Daniel and his smiling optimism will be back, and that can happen just that little bit sooner with your help. And everyone here at DJWORX wishes Daniel and his girlfriend a swift return to normality.