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

BoogieBlind.jpg
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.


More »

Tags:

Boogie Blind, The X-ecutioners
Email to Friend
Print Article
Hey, DJ!

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

TJRpressshot.jpg
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.


More »

Tags:

Ruby Skye, TJR
Email to Friend
Print Article
Q&A

Super Diamond, S.F. Neil Diamond Tribute Band, Turns 20

By J. Poet Fri., Apr. 26 2013 at 9:43 AM
Categories: Clubs, Local Frequency , Q&A

super-diamond-1.jpg
The first time Randy Cordero covered a Neil Diamond song, he did it as a lark, never dreaming that it would become his full time job for the next 20 years. "In 1988, I was the singer and songwriter of a regular rock band," Cordero recalls. "Sometimes I'd do open mics, playing my own songs solo, with an acoustic guitar. One night, at a club that drew a lot of punks and alternative music types, I dropped 'Sweet Caroline' into the set. I didn't think I'd get a response, except maybe to piss people off. Everybody loved it. I did it again at the next open mic and it kind of snowballed from there." Cordero did his Diamond impression with his acoustic guitar for a few years as Surreal Neil, and the reaction was always positive. In 1993, he put together Super Diamond, a full-on rock band, and they've been going strong ever since. They're still one of the top draws at Bay Area clubs, not to mention the casinos of Las Vegas, and making a comfortable living. Ahead of the band's 20th anniversary show at Bimbo's 365 Club tonight, we spoke with Cordero about how Super Diamond came to be, his approach to interpreting Neil Diamond's songs, and the time Diamond himself unexpectedly came out onstage.


More »

Tags:

Neil Diamond, Super Diamond
Email to Friend
Print Article
Hey, DJ!

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

DJ Mr. Lucky.jpg
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.


More »

Tags:

I&I Vibration, Mr. Lucky, Skylark
Email to Friend
Print Article
Hey, DJ!

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

D33Jpress_high.jpg

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.

More »

Tags:

1015 Folsom, D33J, Wedidit Collective
Email to Friend
Print Article
Hey, DJ!

Breakbot on the Remix That Changed His Life

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

Breakbot.jpg
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.


More »

Tags:

Breakbot, Mezzanine
Email to Friend
Print Article
Hey, DJ!

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

guyruben.jpg
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.


More »

Tags:

DJ Guy Ruben, Oddjob Loft, Odyssey, Public Works
Email to Friend
Print Article
Hey, DJ!

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

damian lazarus.jpg
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.

More »

Tags:

Damian Lazarus, Public Works, Rebel Rave
Email to Friend
Print Article
Hey, DJ!

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

djadnan.jpg
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.


More »

Tags:

Adnan Sharif, Forward SF, Monarch
Email to Friend
Print Article
Hey, DJ!

Chrome Canyon on Retro-Futurism and the Nerdiness of Analog Synths

By Christina Li Thu., Feb. 21 2013 at 11:03 AM
Categories: Hey, DJ!, Q&A

Chrome Canyon.jpg
Noah Kalina
After trading in his keyboard as member of now-defunct New York cult band Apes & Androids, Morgan Z, aka Chrome Canyon, has spent the past couple of years creating music fit for a sci-fi disco party. Using a mix of rare analog synths like the Korg PE-1000 and Theremin, and inspired by dystopian daydreams, his original productions could very well be the B-sides to the Tron soundtrack, or the score of a Lars von Trier film. We recently spoke with Chrome Canyon about his days as a classically trained pianist, movie soundtracks, and his recent signing to Stones Throw Records. He headlines Mezzanine this Friday with support from Peanut Butter Wolf, Jonas Reinhardt, and Shock.


More »

Tags:

Chrome Canyon, Mezzanine, Stones Throw
Email to Friend
Print Article

Now Trending

VOICE Daily Deals

From the Vault

 

Slideshows»

Entertainment

Clubs

Events

More >>
©2013 SF Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places San Francisco / Bay Area

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city

Join
Log In