5 Questions with Rags #37 - DJ Kwe

in

A few weeks ago, I had no earthly idea who DJ Kwe was. I stumbled upon her music because of an assignment for the Rifflandia festival here in Victoria, at which DJ Kwe will be performing twice (!), but I’m here tell you, this half-breed beat maker is someone you should be watching out for. Her audio story telling is unlike anything you’ve ever heard, full of foraged nature sounds and original ideas with a nod to the past, and from what I’ve heard, her DJ sets are not to be missed. I can’t officially verify that because I won’t be able to catch her until Rifflandia (Sept. 15-18) but egads, I’m ready for this! Until then, enjoy this wonderful installment of the 5 Questions in which we discuss the glory of double cassette collections, the struggles that face female DJs and the premier of the new questions about ghosts!

---------------------------------------------

1. Do you remember the first album you bought with your own money?

It was in grade 4, I bought a double cassette, album…with my yellow Sony walkman back then with the snap-over part so everyone knew you had a real walkman…So I bought an 80’s greatest hits. It had “Electric Avenue” and “Jenny.” For the money that I had and to buy a double cassette, which was pretty big news back then, that was my first music investment. I actually had to take the time to remember because buying my first music vs. buying my first record vs. buying my first CD, they’re all times in my life that I have to revisit because music represents memories for anyone.

Do you remember the first record you bought specifically for DJing?

Masters at Work – Love and Happiness. That song, I can’t get over it. It should be a world anthem.

Read More

5 Questions with Rags #12 - The Gaff

in

For some while now, the Gaff has been one of Western Canada’s foremost purveyors of funky goodness, rocking dancefloors all around our great land. He’s also a really cool, interesting cat. (Peep the profile I wrote about him earlier this year for the Martlet.) I’m still fairly new to the DJ world and sometimes I feel like I’m some kind of infiltrator (Though I’m really just a student) but not talking to the Gaff. Maybe it’s because so much of his roots are here at home base in Victoria and we move at a similar speed, but really who knows. As the Rock would say, “It doesn’t matter!”

The Gaff’s soundcloud is an endless smorgasbord of tasty delights that can get you through any day, good or bad, with an extra bounce in your step. You should listen to it.

You should also check out his other soundcloud, for his label Do It With Soul, because it’s his label and shares his groovy, groovy aesthetic.

-------------------------

1. Do you remember the first album you purchased with your own money?

The first one that ever purchased…It was N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton. It got  stuck in my parent’s cassette deck in the car and I got in trouble from my parents.

 2. If you had to choose between keeping your sight and your hearing, which one would you go with?

 I’ve thought about that many, many times. I would have to say my sight. If you turn music up loud enough you can feel it anyways. You don’t necessarily feel melody as much but you do feel rhythm, especially if you get a good sound system with lots of bass. I would choose my sight because to function in this world would be so hard and there are so many beautiful things to see. I’d go for sight.

Read More

Slynk, your older brother's favourite DJ. The unedited interview.

in ,

This past summer I ventured to my first Shambhala Music Festival and ran into the force that is known as Ghetto Funk and one of their biggest ambassadors, Slynk. Built on a real organic-sounding foundation funk, soul and hip-hop, Slynk became one of my entry points into the world of electronic music. It's a rabbit-hole I sometimes regret going through, not for the music but just because of the sheer immensity of the hole. I don't think it will ever end now, fuck it. In any case, Slynk came through my hometown Victoria last month (December) for an epic night with Featurecast and Neon Steve and I took the opportunity to get ahold of him for a little talk. Read it up. We chat about his musical beginnings, his love of his adopted Vancouver and the fellow DJs that get the thumbs up from the man himself. Big ups to Slynk for bringing funk to the people and, less importantly, taking some time to talk some words at me. Respect.

Read More