What do you do?

I am a DJ/producer, which means that I DJ and mix music at parties, clubs. And I’m also a producer which means I make my own music through keyboards and digital programs such as FL Studio and stuff like that.

Why do you DJ?

First, because I found this DJ online named DJ Qbert, and he’s probably like the god of scratching. And he was really good, and it inspired me. And so I tried doing it, and I got really good at it, and I practiced a lot. So that became my way of scratching. And then later I learned how to mix music with digital turntables and stuff. And then I think about a year ago I started doing more production such as making music with keyboards and recording stuff and making songs on the computer.

What genre of music would you describe yourself and your music as?

I’m really in between. I do from techno to hip hop and rap. I’m actually trying to look for a rapper, but I do just about almost anything.

Do you post your tracks online?

Yeah, I post online at SoundCloud, which is where I have all my music at, but right now it’s messed up, so I can’t really upload music. So I’m just waiting to fix it, and then I guess I’ll start putting music back up.

What kind of equipment do you use?

I use Akai drum pads, and I use FL Studio. And then my turntables are Vestax PDX 3000, they’re both Vestax, and then I have standard mixers that I bought for a hundred bucks. And then I have a console mixer that I bought for $400, and that’s a Cortex which is just like a portable mixer that I can bring to small parties and stuff.

Do you play at parties?

I haven’t DJ’ed for like a year, but usually I try to DJ at my uncle’s parties or parties here in Indy at friend’s houses and stuff. But lately I have been really busy, so I haven’t been able to DJ anywhere really.

So what kind of scratching technique do you use?

I’m practicing right now the crab scratch, which is basically using all your four fingers on the crossfaders, and it’s a really tricky scratch. But I’m able to do a lot of (scratching techniques). Probably my favorite one is the Autobahn which makes it sound like a quick cut and then slides out really nicely, and it sounds really good with any sound.

Who are your inspirations musically?

Probably inspirations musically are like Odd Future because they may seem like a really dark type of music and whatever, but they’re actually really talented because the music is so different. And how they play and how they make their beats is just phenomenally interesting which makes it really nice to hear. I also listen to acid jazz and stuff, and it kind of inspires me to make really spacey jazzy stuff.

What’s your goal as a DJ?

My goal in DJing would be probably being able to get sponsored, and when I get older and I get accepted to clubs and stuff, to try to DJ there on the weekends and stuff. And maybe somehow present my music there, and just get myself out there. Right now I’m just trying to keep it local because I’m not quite ready yet to jump out into the world.