Hey, DJ!

Boogie Blind on Today's DJ Game: "It's More Business Than Talent"

By Christina Li Thu., May 16 2013 at 4:00 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

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With the late great DJ Roc Raida as his mentor, it's no wonder Harlem-based DJ Boogie Blind is known around the world for his exceptional scratching, beat-juggling, and DJ battle skills. After winning the 2001 Vestax battle, he was asked to join legendary DJ collective The X-ecutioners on the road, taking on many roles, including soundman and manager. Six years later, he officially became a member. These days, he acts as DJ for Lord Finesse and Pharoahe Monch, and tours around the world showcasing his talents on the turntable. We recently spoke with Boogie Blind about his time with The X-ectuioners and how to measure DJ skills today. He headlines 45 Sessions this Friday at the Legionnaire Saloon in Oakland.


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TJR on Loving Golf, Having Psy Almost Rip-Off His Music, and the Ideal Day Off

By Christina Li Thu., May 9 2013 at 4:00 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

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The party hasn't stopped for Southern California house producer and DJ TJR since his hit "Funky Vodka" propelled him to the top of the charts and piqued the interest of Mr. Worldwide, aka Pitbull, last year. Now a certified platinum artist thanks to his production of Pitbull's chart-topping single "Don't Stop the Party," he continues to churn out original bangers like "Ode to Oi," which was a top track at Winter Music Conference Miami this year. He's also starting his first Vegas residency this week at new multi-million dollar club Hakkasan. We recently spoke with TJR fresh off his European tour about his love of golf, analog vs. digital, and his ideal day off. He headlines Ruby Skye this Saturday.


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Ruby Skye, TJR
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DJ Risk One on Why Good DJs and Reality TV Don't Mix

By Christina Li Thu., May 2 2013 at 9:31 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!

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DJ Risk One
Attempting to rock a Shanghai bottle-service club full of dance-averse patrons might sound like a trying task for some DJs, but not SF-based DJ/producer Risk One -- he managed to pull it off for three weeks straight this past winter. As a full-time DJ, Risk One holds residencies from Shanghai to Miami and has been a featured artist for remix service the Crooklyn Clan for the past six years. We recently spoke with Risk One about his thoughts on the DJ reality TV show Master of the Mix, his various residencies, and the current state of DJ battles. He DJs at Slide this Saturday.


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Dub Gabriel on Developing a Global Sound and the Benefits of All-Vinyl DJing

By Christina Li Fri., Apr. 26 2013 at 3:30 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!

DUB GABRIEL photo by Kelly Freedman-2.jpg
Kelly Freedman
Dub Gabriel
For the past three years, producer and DJ Dub Gabriel has traveled across three continents, perfecting and seeking inspiration for his Kickstarter-funded fourth album, Raggabass Resistance. Released last weekend on 4/20, the album employs the talents of friends like legendary MC Brother Culture, and combines elements such as psychedelic rhythms, poetry, and reggae to form a sound that the artist characterizes as forward-thinking dub music. We recently spoke with Dub Gabriel about his newest album, recording around the world, and his upcoming all-vinyl release party. It takes place this Sunday at Elbo Room's Dub Mission, with support from DJ Sep and Maneesh the Twista.


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Local DJ Mr. Lucky on Six Years of Skylarking and Reggae in Mainstream Music

By Christina Li Wed., Apr. 17 2013 at 9:25 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

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As a member of Bay Area collective I&I Vibration, local DJ Diego Herrera, aka Mr. Lucky, is one the selectors responsible for the six-year run of Monday night weekly "Skylarking," a Mission district party showcasing reggae and world beats. Growing up in the '80s but immersed in '60s rock and Latin music, Mr. Lucky developed his own tastes through playing in bands and obsessive record-hunting. "It was like a never ending treasure hunt, where you'd dig and find these jewels of sound that you would never have found otherwise," he says. Today, Mr. Lucky is a recognized figure in the Bay Area DJ scene, where he plays a variety of sounds, including tropical bass and R&B. We catch up with the DJ about his weekly residencies, mainstream reggae, and the local nightlife culture. Catch him Mondays at Skylark and Thursdays at Bissap Baobab.


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I&I Vibration, Mr. Lucky, Skylark
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D33J on Making Emotional Dance Music and His Upcoming Tour with Baths

By Christina Li Thu., Apr. 4 2013 at 9:40 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

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Twenty-two-year-old Djavan Santos, aka D33J, has established himself as one of the more notable purveyors of a new, ethereal brand of R&B, which has been attracting fans internationally thanks to fellow Wedidit Collective members like Shlohmo and Ryan Hemsworth. His attention-grabbing 2011 debut EP Tide Songs was full of emotionally-charged late night melodies, and led to his eventual signing to Anticon Records, home to artists such as Baths and Jel. We recently spoke with D33J about his influences, his upcoming tour with Baths, and his favorite burrito in S.F. He plays Friday at 1015 Folsom with Shlohmo, Jeremih, Nite Jewel, Sister Crayon, and more. D33J then returns to the Bay Area June 29 for a show with Baths and Houses at Great American Music Hall.

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Breakbot on the Remix That Changed His Life

By Christina Li Wed., Mar. 27 2013 at 10:01 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

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Pedro Winter
Fresh off the success off his 2012 full-length debut album By Your Side, French producer/DJ Thibaut Berland, aka Breakbot, has mastered the art of giving a modern twist to '70s disco and funk. Citing Michael Jackson as his biggest influence, By Your Side is a nostalgic homage to the King of Pop, from funky upbeat track "Fantasy" to the infectious pop ballad "Baby I'm Yours," which is currently sitting at around 6.5 million views on YouTube. We recently spoke with Berland about being part of the Ed Banger family, the success of "Baby I'm Yours," and his favorite animation studio. He performs Thursday at Mezzanine with live vocals from Irfane and support from Para One and the Lights Down Low DJs.


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DJ Guy Ruben on the Best Party-Starting House Jam

By Christina Li Thu., Mar. 21 2013 at 9:56 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

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Local DJ Guy Ruben is often seen behind the decks playing some of S.F.'s most notoriously raucous parties, from Trannyshack to Sunday Fundays at The Lookout. Growing up during the golden age of MTV, he knew he wanted to be a DJ since he could press "Record" on the stereo. Playing a variety of genres with a heavy emphasis on house, he also releases seasonal mixes that feature artists such as Azealia Banks and Disclosure. We recently spoke with Ruben about his love for house music, the perfect party song, and the attraction of "Sunday Fundays." He plays Odyssey this Friday, March 22, in the OddJob Loft at Public Works, with Eli Escobar headlining.


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Damian Lazarus on How to Get Into the Crosstown Rebels Crew and His Favorite S.F. Places

By Christina Li Wed., Mar. 13 2013 at 9:42 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

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Celebrating 10 years of his Crosstown Rebels collective this year, London-born DJ/producer Damian Lazarus has discovered and launched the careers of artists like Seth Troxler, Art Department, and Maceo Plex. Known for mixing experimental beats and topping them with his own vocals -- as on his album, Smoke the Monster Out -- and playing parties that end up with sitting ovations, his career is continuously forward-thinking. We corresponded with Damian over email about 10 years of Crosstown Rebels, his podcast "Lazpod," and where he'll be getting a drink in S.F. He headlines Public Works with Art Department this Thursday, March 14, for Rebel Rave.

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Local DJ Adnan Sharif on 11 Years of Forward SF and Getting a Ph.D in Nightlife

By Christina Li Thu., Feb. 28 2013 at 1:02 PM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

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Language barriers and cultural differences haven't stopped Brazilian-born Palestinian DJ Adnan Sharif from realizing his dreams as a house producer and underground party promoter in S.F. and around the globe. As founder of house music collective Forward SF, which celebrates its 11th anniversary this year, he has played alongside artists such as Milan dark house duo Clockwork and local deep house favorite Lance DeSardi. He will also soon be releasing original productions on labels Smoke N' Mirrors and Brazil's D-Edge Records. We recently got in touch with DJ Adnan about his DJ beginnings, Forward SF, and his plans to move back to Brazil this spring. He performs after Danny Daze this Saturday, March 2, at Monarch and next Saturday, March 9, with Nitin for Forward SF at F8.


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Adnan Sharif, Forward SF, Monarch
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