DJ Edit interview

How does your style of deejaying differ from other Hawaii deejays?

I think my style differs from my co-workers in the scene in that I'm not afraid to play music i know the crowd will get crazy to. I don't care if I play 50 Cent, Daft Punk, Fall Out Boy, Bon Jovi or Earth, Wind, and Fire... The thing that matters most to me is if the people on the dance floor enjoy the good life.

What local deejays share your style and view of music?

I think all the local DJ's share what I feel to an extent, just in a different shape or form. Though most like to "play it safe", I like stepping outside of the box. I like throwing the "slider" in my set that makes people go "damn..." But if i had to list a few of the others in the biz that share my vision I'd have to list Paul Brandon, Mike D, DJ Technique, DJ Sho and Lex-One.

In your opinion, what is missing from the Hawaii club scene?

I think the biggest thing missing from the Hawaii club scene is an open mind. I've played at most of the clubs in the state (both open and defunct) that were "poppin'" over the last 8 years and it seems to me that the way I played differed from club to club 'til 2006 when I started to be aggressive with my music. It all started when I was resident at Noblesse. Though it was small in area compared to World Cafe or Pipeline, the size allowed me to interact with the crowd a lot more. Instead of playing solely for the crowd I started to lead and introduce them to a side of music that they knew, but rarely heard in the club. Stuff like Fall Out Boy and Avril Lavigne, crazy remixes of Jay-Z, and of course the start of the Mashup Movement...

What positive strides have you noticed about the club scene since your return from Vegas?

When I got back one of the first things I noticed in the club wasn't the music, it was the attire. I'm a firm believer that the way you dress reflects on the way you act and feel. After the initial impact I felt about the new, more "trendy" attire I noticed that more of the pop/dance music is dominating the dance floor. Stuff like Lady Gaga and Kid Cudi are floor fillers and get the crowd moving in new ways.

What attempts have you made to expand the minds of club goers?

I myself was different before I left for Sin City. I never stuck to the norm of hearing nothing but hip hop all night, rather trying to take the people on the dance floor through a musical journey with 80's, rock, house, and of course a little hip hop for good measure. My new mindset is focused on being more creative to push the limit of what people in the club expect to hear. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Jay-Z but play me some Journey or sick Electro House and chances are you'll see me get CRAZY!!

How does having a strong opinion on the scene serve as your strength? How might it also serve as a weakness?

I think the strength in having such a strong opinion on the scene is that those who passionately share the same views as me will be more likely to be willing show their creative side. But, there are always as many people that dislike your vision as there are people who follow thus the downfall is you can't make everyone happy...

I've heard people refer to music as "Vegas-style" what exactly does that mean?

To me, when someone refers to "Vegas-style" music I'd say it means keeping it fun, keeping it familiar, and most of all keeping the energy at a full TEN the whole set. Make people dance wherever they are... If they're at the bar, on the dance floor, in the bathroom... Make sure the energy never dies!