October 19, 2009 (Issue #2) – 1. What do you spin?
Currently I enjoy spinning tech-house,minimal tech, progressive tech and house, however, Ive always loved all genres of electronic music, when i first began i spun a fusion mix of progressive house,progressive trance and breakbeat. I think im always in an experimental mode, it keeps the inginuity aspect of spinning moving forward.
2. How and why did you start spinning?
My first experience with a vinyl record player and vinyl records was in 1979 at one of my cousins birthday party, all the adults were to busy gettin drunk and couldnt manage the 45’s on the record player, since I was already deeply moved by 70’s disco, i volunteered as the would be dj on 1 vintage turntable, flippin 45’s of disco and pop songs , it was my mom’s music of choice during my childhood, so was born into disco. I have always been captivated by electronic sounds in music, i did go through my rock years after disco died down in the early 80’s and of course i liked the rock that used synthesizers in it. Then i was exposed to the first original generation hip hop culture, i got into graffiti writing and breakdancing but it was the djing aspect and music creation aspect of hip hop that really captivated my soul, my first deep experience was with Afrika Bambata “Planet Rock” omg this song was so ahead of its time as was almost all of the early 80’s breakdancing music, the new sound of electro breaks and early synths really changed my life, it set a drive deep in my soul in motion, i would often have lucid thoughts as i day dreamed of the future while listening or breakdancing to early electro breaks. Rap eventually dominated the market of this new culture, leaving behind the “music with no words”. I was driven yet to another place as i got deep into 80’s rap music and always looking for that new future sound. The electronic breakdancing music phased out into rap, it evolved in europe though and grew into a new phenomenon, i would catch some songs here and there and soon realized by the late 80’s that the sounds i always loved had been resurected as electro brit pop, and so a new era begins again for me in the late 80’s early 90’s new wave post modern culture. Inspired and drivin by the sounds of Depeche Mode,Erasure,Kraftwerk,The PetShop Boys,Fine Young Canibals,Siouxsie and the Banshees,Nitzer Ebb, it was inevitable for me to find my way to early techno and house music, so it begins. As i attended my first rave party in 1992 at an old airport warehouse i realized this is where i belonged, i moved to Phoenix in 1993 and learned to spin there i was taught and influenced by my cousin Rixomed. I moved back to El Paso and started up T.R.U.E. so my life as an underground dj begins.
3. Where do you spin?
I just finished wrapping up a residency at the Hush Bar and im working on a residency at The O.P.
4. Are you under any labels?
Yes, ive been producing since early 2003, like most producers i started with FL Studio and a midi controller. Naturally i wanted to learn how the pros produced so i bought a Korg Triton Extreme and sequenced with Acid Pro. Eventualy i learned that its all about the end result, it doesnt matter how you make it, labels and producers dont promote how its made, they promote the end result. Since then i have experimented with Abelton Live and my original set up with the Korg Triton Extreme and Acid Pro. I started Dustcity Music in 2007, however, i did not launch right away , since i realized i had much to learn and accomplish before i could officially launch the label. I worked very hard to establish a full work studio that gave me the capabilities to create everything ive ever loved to listen to. By the time this ECB issue hits the stands Dustcity Music will have been officially launched, I am proud to announce that Dustcity Music has been accepted for global distribution to over 40+ Digital Music Download stores to include Beatport, which is a huge accomplishment. Dustcity Music has learned from failed labels and we have gotten tons of advice from top international djs,artists and label managers as well as great marketing tools from our distributor. Dustcity Music will feature some of the most experienced producers and djs from El Paso TX and surrounding southwest states as well as artists from Mexico and will be releasing and remixing for some surprise top international dj producers. Dustcity Music is a unique label that strives to make sure the top and most experienced dj producers of El Paso,Mexico and surrounding states get recognized,booked and heard globally. Many dj producers are stuck here in El Paso with superb talent and we will work very very hard to get this talent out into the main circuit.
5. Any companies?
Yes, as many already know i am a partner and founder of T.R.U.E. Massive Events and INTELEVENTZ Las Vegas. T.R.U.E. was started in 1994 after i learned to spin, we started it off by having desert parties and house parties, then worked our way up to holding the very first massive multi headliner events in El Paso in 1995 utilizing the Civic Center for the very first time for electronic music events. Our company was the first to bring down Dj Dan, D.R.C., Steve Loria, Markus Schulz, Kimball Collins, Dj Spun, Brian of the former MOONTRIBE along with many other top names. We carried on the productions at an old club on Copia called The Fog, introducing El Paso to the very first true Argon Laser. By 1998 we phased out to new emerging event companies. We burrowed deep underground and resurfaced with an underground record store called GLIZZWAX which was located at an old brewery building that had been converted to muli art studios and residential living. As we launched our grand opening we held some hardcore undergound parties at an old warehouse on Magoffin the weekly was titled YUMMY, the store and weekly was successful but short lived upto 2002 in which we went on a hiatus until 2008. Attatched to the digital record label we have also put together a secret booking agency ABOVE THE DUST ARTIST MANAGEMENT that will be attached to the label with a goal of setting up tour dates and bookings for our label artists as well as some top international names.
6. Do you spin vinyl or CDís?
I have never liked the concept of spinning CDs it has always seemed to generic to me. Till this day i am extremely reluctant to spin CDs, i just dont want to give in, its kinda of funny to me. I quickly picked up TORQ thanks to Reddmann and Timmie Phatts, i was blown away by the concept, i immediately realized that CDs had now become obsolete to me. Digital portability and the vinyl touch came together. I have a huge arguement and a great point to make in regards to those who choose to use both Remote software and CDJs, as ive said hundreds of times, why even bother bringing the labtop guys just spin CDs, the true essence of using a labtop with remote software and Technic 1200’s is to capture the real vinyl feel plus you have digital portability at your finger tips. I will forever be a modern day turntable digital junkie!
7. What are your goals?
Currently to successfully launch our label and having record release parties at least twice per month as well to establish bookings for the booking agency. I am very driven to put our local djs and producers on the map but really on the map,yes the big map not the little map. Also to continue to expand our new concept of RITUAL @ The O.P. An establish an 18+ adult crowd which is long over due as well as a having a more artistic and creative edge to events as opposed to the usuall picnic table and banner set ups. I believe its time for something new, something big, something unique, something extreme and very creative. With our partner from Las Vegas has allowed us to expand in that direction and god willing to continue to be consistent and to grow. We are looking to reunite the scene one way or the other as well to establish a new crowd that is tired of the same old monopolizing events and promoters that are teaching the followers that its ok to hate and have enemies, we will do this with mad love for all the El Paso scene, its the only way to succeed, with tons of love, we preach true unity, acceptance of all music genres and scene styles, coming together for the love of all electronic music, no judging, no hating, just intimate good vibes via electronic music.
8. Do you have a website or Myspace?
myspace.com/noevol
myspace.com/truenergy
myspace.com/abovethedustbookings
www.dustcity.com
9. What has been your best and worst show and for what reason?
My best party would have been our very first event that we did in Juarez,Mx back in 1995 called True Love featuring Markus Schulz and Steve Loria back to back at the former Club Fantasy, ill never forget when Markus came down from the booth and started dancing with his wife then started to break dance all sick styles busting windmills all hardcore, alot of people dont know this but Markus got his start in New York playing at hip hop parties.
My worst party was a party this guy named Zenk tried to do with Nigel Richards at the HUSH underground, it was a total flop!, this guy had no sound,no lighting and the promotions were weak, basically this guy brought Nigel Richards to an empty basement, no one showed, and i mean no one, i felt bad for this guy, i had offered to help but was shut down by Zenk, trully my worst party ever.
10. Favorite DJ/Producer?
I dont have favorites in this industry, i love it all and i love them all, no matter what genre or how experienced, if your into some kind of electronic dance music you are my favorite.
11. Best party ever attended and why (not counting events you have spun at)?
1995 SWEET MANIFEST at the Civic Center with Dj Dan, Dj DRC, Markus Schulz 500+people(which was huge back then!) the first ever real high powered argon laser, tons of giveaways, candies, cassette tapes mixes, breakdancers, real to real movie projectors all the way till 8am the next morning! Until this day El Paso has yet to experience something this hardcore and underground in a commercial venue.
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