REAL TALK: DJ MINDGAME

KALANI: HOW LONG WERE YOU IN VEGAS?
MINDGAME: I was in vegas only for a few months...went up beginning of this year...and came back couple months ago. I moved out there to Dj initially...but i wasnt prepared for it. It was a big culture shock for me as in, I didnt know anyone out there....no one knew who i was. So, I had to start all over again. Goodvybe helped me out a bit up there and I was making my connections and building myself up....but it wasnt enough. So I decided to come back...I believe Edit just moved back for the same reasons.

K: WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO LATELY?
MINDGAME: I just moved back from Las Vegas, so Ive been catching up with friends and family, while making new connections and friends.

K: HOW DID U GET TO BE KNOWN AS DJ MINDGAME?
MINDGAME: When I first started djing, I used to always wear a skate brand called "Mindgame" People started calling me that and it stuck. Everyone thinks it means something weird or negative, but to me Mindgame means the quote "If you put your mind to it, you can accompish anything."

K: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GENRE TO SPIN?
MINDGAME: I have such a broad spectrum of musical tastes, that it would be very hard for me to pinpoint which is my "favorite" But, at this moment, I enjoy playing Top 40and Electro...and of course Drum and Bass.

K: IS PLAYING MAINSTREAM SOMETHING YOU LIKE TO DO? WHY OR WHY NOT?
MINDGAME: I was always very mixed about mainstream until recently. Some of it is actually good; Some of it ends up growing on me one way or another. I always end up having fun djing, whatever genre it is I am playing. But in the end, its about the crowd, and you having the most fun you can with them.

K:IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE PICKED UP MORE AND MORE GIGS? HOW DID THESE OPPORTUNITIES COME ABOUT?
MINDGAME: Well, in Vegas, opportunities for me to play were very scarce and seemed to be reserved to a select few. It was a very hard time for me, and apparently for the economy as well. Soon as I got back to the islands, things really feel together for me. As if Hawaii were telling me that this paradise is my home.


K: WHAT'S YOUR APPROACH TO DJing AND THE CROWDS YOU PLAY FOR?
MINDGAME: My approach would be head-on. I always try to recreate a vibe where I had fun enjoying a Dj and sustaining it throughout the night.

K:WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO BRING TO HAWAII'S DJ SCENE?
MINDGAME: I'm trying to bring the same amount of energy that everyone else has. There are alot of really good djs out here that really motivate me. If I do bring anything to the scene, I'd have to say it would be diversity. I tend t mix is up.

K: CAN DJing EVER BECOME BORING?
MINDGAME: Djing can never become boring, its the Dj that gets bored. I tend to have fun with whatever it is I do. I was always very creative and with Serato for Djs, the creative possibilities are endless.

K: WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THE ELECTRONIC MUSIC SCENE? DNB SCENE?
MINDGAME: The electronic music scene always comes in waves. There have been small cycles since the surge in 2000, but, there seems to be another surge that has already started thanks to the perseverance of the Livewire crew and 00-spot. And with that, the Drum and Bass scene has also seen a resurgence.

K: CURRENT RESIDENCIES?
MINDGAME: Monday-Livewire/Shock@Xyloh, Tuesday and Wednesday are open(promoters holler djmndgm@gmail.com) Thursday-Non-stop@Cirque, Friday-Audiolab@Lotus(2nd Fridays) Saturday-My Evolution Saturdays@Fashion 45, Also, random events at The Shop.

K: AS FAR AS MUSIC AND DJing IS CONCERNED DO YOU HAVE A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION?
MINDGAME: I plan on getting back into production. My musical output has been very slow the past couple of years.

K: ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO PLUG, SHOUT OUT OR JUST GENERALLY WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
MINDGAME: I would like to give a shout out DJ 720 for getting me started when i got back. Also, shouts to Trypticon, Hoshi, Audissey, Hard-E Boyz, Nishi, and BOAY crew. My Evolution Saturdays at Fashion 45!