44-year-old DJ Jayworx — born Yianni Athanasiou in Sydney, Australia — has been DJing for nearly three decades. But despite the passage of time, he still recalls the shock of power he felt when he first got behind the decks as a teenager on the island of Rhodes.

“What really surprised me at the start of my career was the feeling of how the DJ takes control of the dance floor,” he told tabloid!. “Oh, and another thing was: I kept thinking to myself how hard it was to mix vinyl! People always think that we just press play without taking into account the psychological pressure we are under. In reality, you need to train your mind to be in sync with your hands at the right time; it’s all about coordination and getting it right the first time.”

For Athanasiou, getting it right the first time meant securing a life behind the decks as a DJ of commercial house, ‘80s and ‘90s remixes and the latest dance, R’n’B and hip-hop music.

Now, his journey brings him to Dubai’s Embassy nightclub as their latest resident DJ. Having been in the city less than two months, he tells tabloid! what crowds can expect of him — and what he expects of them.

Q. Firstly, where does the name ‘Jayworx’ come from?

A. When I first started, I called myself Jay, which eventually became Jayworx, which means the works of Jay. It flowed nicely and it’s stuck with me since.

Q. How would you describe your DJing style?

A. For me, it’s all about the interaction between the decks and the audience — their interaction with me determines what I play next ... I also enjoy remixing and producing too, so watch out for some of my own signature tunes thrown into my sets.

Q. Do you still remember your first ever DJing gig?

A. Wow... that’s bringing back some memories now! I was 15, in a bar in Rhodes and I asked the owner if I could step behind the decks and fool around. To my surprise, he said yes, but the only way I could get behind the decks was if I washed the bar’s glasses in the back of the bar. So that was it for me, I got a job as a barman/waiter/washer as well as becoming the resident DJ.

Q. What’s your biggest pet peeve as a DJ?

A. When people request songs but don’t actually know the song. My answer is...no, sorry, I don’t know the song that goes ‘Laaaaa Laa Laaa Laaaa’. Cheeky, I know, but it always makes me laugh!

Q. What’s the difference between the nightlife scene in Rhodes and the one in Dubai?

A. Well, in Rhodes, there are two scenes. The local, which is much more relaxed and laid back, but not so much attention is played to the music, and the tourist side, which is a lot livelier — especially in Falaraki where I was based. Generally speaking, Dubai is much more sophisticated, elegant and glamorous. The club designs are out of this world and all have top-of-the-range equipment. You may think I’m biased, however I do believe that Embassy Dubai is one of the top clubs here in the UAE. It’s very different to your usual club and just perfect for those looking for dining, lounging and dancing under one roof.