Geelong DJ Caijun ‘Spice’ Parry up for Electronic Dance Music Award

A Geelong DJ, who began his career at high school house parties and a local nightclub has been nominated for a prestigious DJ award.

Caijun Parry, known by his stage name ‘Spice’, where he played one of his first gigs at St James. Picture: Mark Wilson

A Geelong DJ whose career began at high school house parties and a small nightclub, has been nominated for a prestigious international music award.

Caijun Parry, known by his stage name ‘Spice’, was nominated last week for Breakout Mashup Artist of the Year at the Electronic Dance Music Awards (EDMA).

Parry was just 14-years-old when his mum bought him a DJ deck and he began playing at his friend’s parties.

The now-25-year-old said he fell in love with DJing almost immediately, but never could have dreamt he’d make a successful career from it.

“I always loved music, I grew up listening to blues and jazz,” he said.

“So when I discovered house music, I was so mesmerised.”

At 17-years-old, just before he graduated from Geelong High School, Parry made it onto the nightclub scene at an under-aged event at St James Nightclub in Geelong which quickly snowballed into a residency.

“My music is for party goers who want to hear the top forty with my own spin on it,” Parry said.

“I like to call it vocal commercial house.”

When he was 19-years-old, he began to pursue music full-time and was signed to Lucky Group, one of Australia’s top entertainment companies, in 2022.

“Last year was my first international show in Thailand, and I also went back in January,” he said.

DJ Spice at St James. Picture: Mark Wilson

Nowadays, he spends his time touring the country playing festivals and producing music.

“I’ve played major festivals like Ultra Australia, Listen Out, and Timmy Trumpet’s Freakshow,” he said.

Parry will head to Miama next week for the awards.

Other notable nominees include David Guetta, Tame Impala and Dom Dolla.

“They’re a highly respected award, it was just such an honour to see that email,” Parry said.

“At first I didn’t believe what I was reading, I thought it was a scam.”

Parry’s mum Angie Marano said the whole family was feeling “very proud” of his achievement.

“And he’s remained grounded though all this success,” she said.

“So we are also very proud of his character.”

Originally published as Geelong DJ Caijun ‘Spice’ Parry up for Electronic Dance Music Award