DISK JO SLIM TAKE ONE
-First gig
I recall playing with Behr Bulimiatron Dskotek and Erick from LAZRtag at a house party in late 06' ..... Ill get you a flyer from that week before or after but basically one of my first ones in the LA underground indi scene.
- were you called something else before you became DISK JO SLIM
DJ SLIM at the Scratch Dj Academy in West Los angeles (founded by Jam-Master Jay from Run DMC)
- how did you come to be
Behr saw me playing with some old school electronic vinyl at the Academy and he told me to check out the band Block Party then invited me to one of his parties in Lynwood...... I saw 300 kids 16-17yrs old dancing to grimey indie dance and there was NO GANGSTERS standing around staring at the girls ! Right there and then I told Behr im gonna turn the turntablist skills towards indi dance electro music. and that is when my style was created by putting Turntabilist technics with blending, mixing and beat counting electronic music technics.
- what/who influenced you to play in this style of musik
What.... Im gonna say the energy that is involved in a Electronic Music event and the Fashion, style and good looks of the Indie Dance Hip Nu-Rave Scene.
When you have the right combination is a sure shot to a great party.
Who..... If names is what is needed I will say:
People that introduce me to this scene like Dj BEHR,Dj SCORE,PAPARAZZI and the names that came along as i grew in it like AOKI (managment skills) SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO / YELLE / ANDY GEORGE / KISSY SELL OUT / DOES IT OFFEND YOU YEAH / CHROMEO / FRANTIC TASTE / THE FAINT / RAPTURE / BLOC PARTY / LE CASTLE VANIA / and many many more (i can't name all of them)
-how long were you a street level or underground dj before you hit a label or acquired success
Hahah well we all have different definitions of the word "SUCCESS" and for me it will be when I get to play my own production to an european crowd that understands electronic music and be able to knock them out their socks and put up the Los Angeles Djs so we all become better and it wouldn't hurt to say IM FROM THE INDIE ELECTRO SCENE FROM LOS ANGELES. Sooooo Me = not succesful YET ;)
As far as "Street level" if this means house/lot parties .... I consider this part of a dj career regardless how big the name is. A good dj is also the one who knows how to give back to the fans and the people that put him there on the first place. So I still play these parties once every four months or so, because at the end these are the kids who will be 18 then 21 and will be going to a club to support you and support our music.
- what differs from the scene now from when you started..... is it better or worst
The "scene" is what we want it to be so.. IT IS UP TO US TO KEEP IT THE WAY WE WANT OR KEEP IT ALIVE.
Put it this way... when an underground party with his dj's,music, and the concept overall makes more money than a big top 40 mainstream hollywwod club in a given friday night....... Mainstream looks down and offers a spotlight to the upcomers.
That being said... The Scene is now being damaged by promoters that want to make a buck and care less about the movement and/or helping the scene to grow.
Yes the scene is not as clean as before but how I said we all can make it the way we want and this is how: (in Disk Jo Slim's Opinion)
As a fan/supporter/party people
1 - Learn about the music before you go jump like a monkey for no reason
2 - Support a party that promotes fashion and a good dress code (that is actually being enforced)
3 - DO NOT I repeat DO NOT create drama (this is always trouble for everyone)
As a Promoter ....
Im not going to tell you because if you are in the business for the music and the scene you should know how to keep it alive.
-what separates your techniques and style from other djs
I want to believe that is song selection and the turntablist technics I learned at an early stage in my career.
But to be honest i think people who has listen to my sets can explain this better.
-is there anyone out there that you would want to dj with in a versus battle
This is a battle dj:
Im not a battle dj.
-is there anything that you can reflect back on that has changed or affected your persons in a negative way since youve been in the scene
Negative...... mmmmm Yes there is a couple of bad promoters here and there but all we have to do is tell our friends and there they will be out of business by next week.
(hey PARTY REVIEW is doing this ! and it helps all of us to know who to work with and where to go)
-anyone you wish to open up for
Im gonna be realistic here and not gonna say DAFT PUNK or JUSTICE and take it step by step.
I want to open up for CUT COPY / CHROMEO / YELLE / THE GOSSIP / CALVIN HARRIS / TREASURE FINGERS / wow... so many of them.
-do you have anyone that your mentoring or that is mentoring you personally to be a dj
That Im mentoring ..... not exactly but I can say SIR CHARLES AND DJ COLOURS are the ones who get my most sncere advise and whatever I can help them with.
I've learn to appeciate ang give respect to the art of djing fron these great people that happen to be dj's too.
-do you just play songs or do your sets carry a message or theme
A dj who JUST play songs is an IPOD!
I feel like I have the responsbility of setting the mood thus sending a message.
-what equipment or programs are your favorit
serato
Logic
For some odd reason i find the Akai mpc for Ableton so entertaining.
Ableton
Turntables
-whats the worst part of being DISK JO SLIM
Everything........ It sucks. hahaha
Low on sleep hours all the time
Replying to 2000 emails
Etc Etc.... there is a couple of good things every now and then.
-what keeps you in the scene the money or the musik
MUSIC of course.
-of all the people you’ve played with or for is there any one that sticks out in your memory as a self centered egocentrical prick
I know that PARTY REVIEW likes it raw hahahahaha but on this one I'll plead the 5th
-ok youve hit the hiest dance the airliner and now you have mode7...... what separates mode 7 form the other clubs out there
I like this question !
First off MODE7 it's a party and not a Rave....... don't get me wrong I like Raves and I even play at Raves but that is why there is Raves when you want to rave and there is MODE 7 when you are up for good vibes fashion and some really good dj's in a safe place.
Seriously come out and check it out we know what people likes and Im gonna be blunt to say we can help to keep the scene alive.
www.myspace.com/mode7la
-where do you rather play the clubs or underground events now that your on top of your game
Not even close to top of the game but I enjoy a good crowd regardless where im at.
(Good Crowd = the crowd that know and understands electronic music)
-whats next for DISK JO SLIM to accomplish as performers
Im currently hidden in a small town inside a small cave with a really fast internet connection making funky grimey beats so I can come out with some solid production.
I see a lot of upcomer producers that burn their name by pulling the trigger too fast and people just won't consider their tracks ever again.
So .. yup ill have some original tunes being played by the big boys nationwide and overseas soon ;)
-and whens your silent rave gonna happen
MOBILE DISCO is the name of the "silent rave" like event im putting together and still gathering supporters.
Ill keep you guys on the loop.
-ok thanks for your time.....
Thank you guys for having me.
-QUICK SHOUT OUT
Sir Charles / MODE7 Family/ Colours / Paparazzi / Hyphy Crunk / Heist Family / 1107 Family / Lazrtag / Digiratti / Dylan Le Casttle
-Let me add before I go.....
THE "SCENE"
Let's start using WE instead of I.... meaning lets help eachother and create a better scene with better djs and better events. PARTY REVIEW is doing a great thing here by letting you know things the way they are .. RAW.
Support, recognize and give respect to the founders and the people that have brought us up you all know who they are.
Cheers!
Peace and Respect
DISK JO SLIM