Luciano, Seth Troxler, Carl Cox discuss drug abuse and the sacrifices of touring DJs in new documentary

“There is an expiration date on your own sanity and trying to keep human”, Seth Troxler thoughtfully proposes in the ending half of WHY WE DJ - SLAVES TO THE RHYTHM.

The new documentary, produced and published by DJsounds, is an extremely impressive and in-depth analysis of the sacrifices professional DJs make touring the world.

The physical and mental tolls of travel and lifestyle and the allure of fame are discussed in exclusive interviews with Luciano, Seth Troxler, B.Traits, Carl Cox, Pete Tong and many more.

Mental illness has a major focus in the piece, with Ben Pearce opening up on his depression and recent break from performing: "I was chugging my life down the drain...I didn't think I deserved anything that was coming to me".

Another primary point of WHY WE DJ hits the important topic of drug abuse in the artist culture. The constant pervasiveness of mind-altering substances mixed with a rigorous performance schedule proves to be a situation that one must tread lightly.

"We've lost a lot of people, a lot of talented people to drugs", Seth Troxler comments.

Erick Morillo elaborates on his struggles with addiction: "You don't get cured from this, all you do is try to live the best life you can".

Other intimate interviews come from artists like Laurent Garnier, top-level management teams and co-author of Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, Bill Brewster.

Watch the full documentary WHY WE DJ - SLAVES TO THE RHYTHM below.

Sydney is Mixmag's US Digital Content Editor. Follow her on Twitter here