Free your mind and your ass will follow

About

DJ Mes is a Bay Area-bred DJ, producer, and founder of Guesthouse Music, the independent underground house label he launched in 2004. For more than three decades, his funk-heavy, jackin’ sound has brought chunky basslines, clever samples, and dance-floor attitude to clubs around the world. With releases on Cajual, Relief, Salted Music, Glasgow Underground, and many more, Mes remains a prolific producer, collaborator, and champion of underground talent. In 2026 he continues releasing music and performing, including as one-half of One & Done with Jose “Choco” Reynoso.

For over three decades, DJ Mes has been a fixture in underground house music, carving out a reputation built on funky grooves, uncompromising musical taste, and an unwavering dedication to the dance floor. A DJ, producer, label owner, and tastemaker, the Bay Area native has spent his career championing the raw, underground, and sometimes downright filthy side of house music—never chasing trends, always following the groove.

Mes first emerged from the thriving West Coast underground scene in the mid-1990s, drawing inspiration from pioneers like DJ Dan and Tony Hewitt. Those early influences helped shape a distinctive sound rooted in Chicago house, disco, funk, and the unmistakable bounce of the West Coast. His approach to DJing and production has always been straightforward: heavy basslines, infectious rhythms, clever sample work, and just enough attitude to keep things interesting.

In 2004, Mes founded Guesthouse Music, an Oakland-based record label that would become a cornerstone of the underground house movement. More than two decades later, Guesthouse remains a respected independent imprint, with a catalog spanning hundreds of releases. Through his work as an A&R and label curator, Mes has helped introduce and champion artists including The Sound Republic, Sonny Fodera, Gramophonedzie, Rescue, and countless others.

As a producer, Mes has built an extensive discography across influential labels including Cajual, Relief, Salted Music, Rawthentic, InStereo, Glasgow Underground, Tango Recordings, Night Grooves, and Guesthouse Music. His signature chunky drums, rubbery basslines, chopped-up samples, and funk-heavy arrangements have found their way into DJ sets worldwide. His Fools Gold on Cajual Recordings earned the number-one spot on Traxsource’s Top 100 House Tracks of 2011.

Based in

Oakland, California

Playing since

the mid-1990s

Label

Guesthouse Music, founded 2004

Sound

jackin' house, disco, bass-heavy Chicago grooves

Also released on

Salted, Glasgow Underground, InStereo, Cajual, Nite Grooves, Fresh Meat, Glitter Robots, Relief

Milestone

Traxsource #1 house track of 2011, "Fools Gold"