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!

Spinzone: DJ Mindgame

Mind Field
by Kalani Wilhelm

Vegas isn’t for everyone.

The realization that he was merely a tiny DJ fish in a huge nightlife pond brought DJ Mindgame, an integral member of Hawai’i’s drum ‘n’ bass scene, home. Sure, his ego took a hit, but the disappointment has turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“I moved out there to DJ initially, but it was a big culture shock for me,” he said. “I didn’t know anyone out there. No one knew who I was.”

A few months removed from the experience, Mindgame is as busy as ever with a renewed focus and expanded music repertoire. Vegas’ loss is Hawai’i’s gain for sure.

Livewire/Shock Mondays at Xyloh, 1220 Kona St., 18+; Non-Stop Thursdays at Cirque Hawai’i, 325 Seaside Ave., 18+; My Evolution Saturdays at Fashion 45, 2255 Khi Ave, 18+.

12/31 writeups in the Honolulu Weekly

Nobody puts hip-hop in the corner
by Kalani Wilhelm

Is Shwayze the name of the duo, the duo and the DJ or the laid-back rapper guy? Representing West Coast stoner chill pop music, Malibu rapper Shwayze has a lot he can brag about.

While 2008 marked the release of his self-titled debut album that spawned the summertime smash “Buzzin,’” Shwayze also had a popular MTV reality show documenting his summer rise to stardom, which further helped thrust the 22-year-old and his producer-sidekick Cisco Adler into the mainstream membranes of the pop music world.

On a night when you should be buzzing, Shwayze, Adler and DJ Skeet Skeet close out their remarkable year New Year’s Eve at Pipeline Cafe with Seattle-based hip-hop tandem Blue Scholars as special guests.

The up-and-coming artist is just getting started. Shwayze and his brand of hip-hop folk pop should continue to keep the buzz going well into 2009 and beyond.

Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Wed 12/31, 9pm, presale $45, 18+, ticketmaster outlets, Times Supermarkets, Blaisdell box office, [bampprojects.com].


Yo yo yo
by Kalani Wilhelm

As far as the combination of singer and songwriter credits in the pop music world are concerned, it would be tough to match the early achievements of R&B crooner Ne-Yo.

Credited for bringing the smoother, softer side of R&B back to mainstream pop music, the 29-year old pop sensation first burst onto the scene first for his songwriter skills with 2004 smash hit “Let Me Love You” by Mario.

His career continued to escalate. It wasn’t until the release of debut album In My Own Words in 2006 that spurned number one hit “So Sick” that people began to take note of the singer’s pop potential. His second album Because Of You continued to solidify himself as a force to be reckoned with.

While his voice and dance moves often draw comparisons to pop king Michael Jackson, Jacko’s got nothing on this songwriting hitman who has penned number one hits like Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable,” and Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” among a lengthy list of artists that includes Chris Brown, Celine Dion and Jennifer Hudson. OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration.

If things couldn’t get any better, his current album, Year of the Gentleman, produced one of the biggest hits of the year, “Closer,” and earned him six Grammy nominations including the coveted category of Album of the Year. Although Year of the Gentleman failed to hit number one like his previous two efforts, it may prove to be his best album to date, especially if it wins a Grammy.

Any way you slice it, that’s seven top-10 songs and two chart-topping albums and counting for this certified superstar.

Blaisdell Arena, 777 Ward Ave., Mon 1/5, 7:30pm, $35–55, [ticketmaster.com], 591-2211

REAL TALK: DJ PACKO

KALANI: What about music in general excites you?
PACKO: I'm continuously excited about the places that all music takes me. Each piece is a different journey with multiple pathways. After all is said and done, I never feel complete. I think it's because I'm always wanting more. Not that it leaves me hanging high and dry, but the fact that it's my musical note-worthy nicotine, my melodious medical marijuana, say, my anti-drug in the absence of love. Music's a drug that I can never get sick of.

KALANI: What about deejaying excites you?
PACKO: Deejaying typically brings out the inner child of me. I'm infatuated with the invention of the turntable itself, but to use it as my paintbrush, it's a great experience. It's like audible finger painting. Controlling the sound, is like a scientist with a time machine; being lucid in a dream; a quarterback on a football team; or a kid with unlimited jellybeans. Deejaying is as a drug addiction is to crack fiends. It gives me the opportunity to set my own rules of my game and have fun with it. Being meticulous on the type of music that I would play, I often try to find a way to make the music my friend. Stubborn, in a sense. It's probably my good ol' Taurean attitude in defense. But, listen to what I listen to, and hopefully you can understand what I meant.


KALANI: What about scratching excites you?
PACKO: What's so appealing to me about scratching is the ability to take something totally unorthodox, like the sound of a drill, clanging pipes, a car crash, a laser, or any word or syllable, and make music out it. Either as an accompaniment, hook, or verse, scratching can be an integral part of music. It can be treated like any other sound that a typical instrument can make. It is unique in its own behavior. Plus, it's fun to tweek out on the turntable during the wee morning hours, for hours.

KALANI: What about hip hop culture excites you?
PACKO: As the old adage goes, Hip Hop is a way of life. It's not just about the music, but the people you surround yourself with, the way you dress, the style you choose to equip yourself with. I can't exactly say that I live "Hip Hop," I just listen to a lot of it. To every individual, their concept and grasp of the word in itself has its own meaning. I choose to have it as a part of my way of life. I'm sure that over the years of its existence, it got over-saturated with new styles, different methods, contrary characteristics, and offbeat approaches that altered the traditional appearance of "Hip Hop" as a culture. Hip Hop has come a long way, and it's scary, yet exciting to see what's next. In order to know where it's going, you must know where it came from. Hence, myself often digging deeper and reaching farther and farther back to understand the movement, and why it even began the way it did, back in the beginning. Hip Hop is eternally moving forward, and backwards, at once. Either move out the way, or stay in the groove. Needless to say, there's always room to improve. Which is another reason why Hip Hop appeals to me: The artists are constantly trying to outdo each other to be the best. Which is dope, because we all rise together, especially in Hawaii.

KALANI: Tying all those aforementioned concepts together, how does it all excite you?
PACKO: Like a bumper sticker once told me, 'Do what you love, and love what you do.' That just about sums it all up for me. I love music, and I want people to hear my take on it. Whether through words or records. I guess traffic isn't always so bad, so, big ups to driving in traffic.

KALANI: How did you connect with SIQ Records and the Spacifics?
PACKO: Both parties actually had separate occasions of connection. The team at SIQ Records came up together. We all knew somebody who knew somebody. The reason that I linked with SIQ Records, is because of what they are doing. I wouldn't get down with something I was a hypocrite to. I know they all got good heads and they have great intentions. It takes a great amount of time and patience to even start a record label to begin with. So, with Hip Hop, Hawaii, and a legitimate record label, all under one roof, that's a pretty big task, if you ask me. I'm glad that I knew some good folks who finally up and did it, which gives me the privilege to be a part of that movement.

As far as linking with the Spacifics, they had everything and all elements in place, although what was missing was a key sound to any Hip Hop act: scratching. It's a simple equation: Live Hip Hop + MCs + DJ = the Spacifics As they searched for someone who could cater with the cuts, I just so happened to be available at that moment. And, that moment was our biggest show, Rock The Bells at the Blaisdell Arena in September of 2007. That's when I came aboard. We still do shows until this day. Putting in work every week at every practice session possible.

KALANI: What's your take on the current crop of turntablists and true hip hop deejays in Hawaii?
PACKO: I believe everyone is out on their own grind. In my view, I don't see as much of a hype as there once was. There's no real DJ battles any more such as the DMC and ITF stopovers. Nowadays, it's up to us as the "turntablists" to keep our head high, and continue doing what we're doing to keep the art alive. It's truly survival of the fittest. Shapeshifting through existence, it's time to sift through the trends, sort out the split ends, quit pretending, and ascend through the barriers of this Turntablistic Deejay funny business. In actuality, most DJs are just that, a DJ. I hate to hate, but "DJ" is such a loosely used term. Sure, self-hatred is a bad thing. I'm a DJ myself, but truthfully, I just enjoy scratching. I got into the mixing aspect just to experiment with the incorporation of scratching into a more pleasurable and alluring audio/visual experience. So far it's worked out to my liking. I would just like to see more scratch sessions/BBQs/get-togethers/etc., just to shoot the shit and catch up on the 'tablist times. Hawaii's got the talent, but the motivation is not 100%, just yet.

KALANI: What are some of your most memorable deejay moments?
PACKO: There's a few. My biggest moment was the chance to finally Q&A with DJ Qbert. In my own home, to say the least. The whole reason I got into Deejaying, is because of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, which Qbert was a member of back in the 90's. My main, numero uno goal was to have a question and answer scratch session with him, or even all of the 'Piklz. To the uneducated, Question and Answering is like it says, DJs cut in turns over a beat for 8 bars, 16 bars, 32 bars, what have you. On a separate occasion, I had the privilege to cut alongside DJ D-Styles. I've met Yogafrog, Mixmaster Mike, and Shortkut. All of that had a big effect on me. Knowing that I've once connected with them gives me unfathomed confidence. Having that under my belt, I felt like all I ever wanted as a DJ has been accomplished. That made me have to set even higher goals. That is my next challenge, to find out what's next for me.
Another big moment, was playing at the Blaisdell for the Rock The Bells show back in 2007 with the Spacifics. It was a blessing to just be on the same bill as Wu-Tang Clan, and Bone Thugs.
Any chance I get to create a memorable experience in the DJ community, I proceed. Ain't no half-steppin goin' on here.
And, finally, to have met everyone I did through the deejaying world, is such a wonderful thing. As I surround myself with what I enjoy most, the attraction gets stronger and more faithful, and unbelievably believable. Every moment, good and bad, is remembered.

KALANI: How do you "live" hip hop?
PACKO: By living out my passion for life: Being a DJ. Spreading the idea of selfishly good music to good people. I say selfish, because it's what I think is good.

KALANI: How have you grown as a dj from say a year ago?
PACKO: My main improvement stems from working with the Spacifics on a consistent basis. I've learned new techniques on incorporating a sharper sound of the scratch into a live Hip Hop set. As usual, there's always ways to improve with the mixing, scratching, and production capabilities. I'm getting my feet wet on the production side of things, trying to work with different people on a regular basis. I've also got heavier into the mixtape game, which was intentionally a bigger project than it turned out to be. I overworked and underpaid myself with this one, sleepless nights and days, thinking, criticizing, unsatisfying myself with every click. But as any artist in general, the greatest skill they possess, is when to say "Stop." I could go on and on, and never have something to show for it, but that's absurdity without hope. I say cease one degree, and continue on a different slope.

KALANI: Deejays don't put mixtapes just to put them out, what were your goals and intentions with "Mosquito Diesel"?
PACKO: Mosquitoes are insects that are universally known to transmit diseases and sip on some good blood. I'm just a human who enjoys good music. I sip on the music, and transmit bass kicks and dope bits. I feel the need to infect through positivity, with high hopefuls of creating an epidemic unheard of before. I want my phonographic craft to plague the people, with a contagious chorus of sorts. I want to cause an uproar in this downpour of soggy symmetry in music. The metaphors and analogies are endless, really. The main intention here is to spread good music and inflame heads with a vinyl virus. I feel the need to infect people with what pacifies me from time to time. Through the sodden society of today's main stream of music, it's becoming harder to find a true classic, a gem, a diamond with perfect reflectivity. I'm trusting that my display of affection with a well thought out compilation will create some sort of a 'time-honored, vintage piece' for each selection on this collective.
Furthermore, there's a handful of DJs that have been dropping product. I expect it's my turn to show what I got boiling under ground, this time 'round. I've been releasing mixtapes every now and then, but I decided to lay low for a bit, and drop fire on the public when the rain poured its hardest. Heartless as it may seem, it's the complete opposite. Nothing but heart in this one.
I'm proud to say the least, but always peaking behind the next door that opens.


KALANI: Is there a difference between a mixtape and a glitchtape?
PACKO: No difference at all. The hackneyed thought of labeling it as a mixtape just bored me to death. It's a glitch-inspired mix, with heavy scratching and blending. It could have been called 'the skratchtape', 'the blendtape', 'the gimmicktape,' it wouldn't matter, it is what it is. Glitch (IDM ) music had a big influence on me in recent accounts so I thought that it was only appropriate. Plus it's the closest relative that rhymes with "mix".

KALANI: Where can people purchase the cd?
PACKO: -Prototype (Pearl City)
-Exclusive Hawaii (Kapiolani Ave.)
-Stylus (University Ave.)
-Kicks/HI (Ward/Makaloa St.)
-Higher Ground Coffee & Music Café (Wahiawa)
-Or shoot me an eMail, and I would be glad to mail a copy - djpacko@gmail.com
-Also at any events that I'm at, I will have copies. For wholesale price, that is. With a signature if needed.

KALANI: Where can people hear you the next few weeks?
PACKO: Every Friday @ Metro Park Ala Moana. Spinning live from 4-8pm.
-The GroundUp Art & Fashion Show @ The Loft on Friday December 26th, 2008
-DJ Swamp Show @ The Loft on Friday January 9th, 2009

Hip Hop at the Trops 2009 edition

I got that feelin'

Spinzone: DJ Packo

Running with the Packo
by Kalani Wilhelm / 12-24-2008
If hip-hop heads think the scratch DJ scene is dead, vinyl visionary DJ Packo believes a resurgence is in order. One of the illest cutmasters in the 808, Packo has cut with scratch world elite such as Qbert, Shortkut, Mix Master Mike and D-Styles.

“There are no real DJ battles any more such as the DMC and ITF,” said the Maui-born, Big Island-raised talent. “Nowadays, it’s up to us as the turntablists [to survive].”

His new mixtape Mosquito Diesel: The Glitchtape is an example of his mind at work. Whether he’s getting down with his SIQ Records mates or letting loose in hip-hop band The Spacifics, music is on his mind and his mind is on his music.

Metro Park, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Fridays, 4–8pm; Fri 12/26, GroundUP Art & Fashion Show, Loft, 115 N. Hotel St., 21+, 688-8813

Throwback Spinzone: DJ Edit

EDIT is back on the rock for the holidays but doin' big things in Vegas these days. Expect even bigger things in store for this guy in Oh Nine, son!


Pick, mix and edit
by Kalani Wilhelm / 10-18-2006
As the newly appointed resident deejay at the Ocean Club, there’s no question DJ Edit has the credentials to rock a party right.

But rather than tell you about it, he’d rather just let the diversity of his music and the packed dancefloor tell you.

The Mass Media Minds, Bum Squad and Crossfader Disciples member makes catering to a crowd as diverse as the OC is easy by blending back-in-the-day ’80s joints from Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam and Michael Jackson with slap happy choice cuts from Akon and Fergie. Throw in some top-flight techno for good measure and the masses are happy.

From his first regular weekly gig at the defunct World Cafe six years ago, to stops at Venus, Noblisse and more, Edit has already established himself as a fixture in the 808 club and DJ scene.

Scensters and deejays would all agree: Dude is just getting started.

Ocean Club, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Restaurant Row, every Tue, Thu. & Sat., 10pm-4am, 531-8444, [www.myspace.com/deejayedit]


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Tuesday @ the Low End Theory Bar

Ozomatli.............