*In light of the sudden death of our homie and friend, DJ AM, here is a re-up of the interview we did and photos of the 1 night we got to kick it with him. A short time in his prescence, but grateful for the opportunity we had. Was an honor *
Refreshing. Humbling. Generous. 3 words to describe DJ AM and what impression we’ve been left with over the last few months. Let’s get started…
The man is a superstar DJ absolutely no doubt. The main thing that comes along with celebrity status is Ego. Well Ego seems to have stayed far, far away from AM. Over the last couple months AM has guest listed us at his club LAX in Hollywood. On his way through Vancouver he came by the School Of Mix after the club and played an afterhour set for like an hour and a half. I’d tell you how much it cost but we never spoke about money. He answers all his own emails and granted us an interview as well. Here is that interview and photos of the night.
1. Schitz: You have one of the craziest schedules in the game, hopping from country to country city to city…when you’ve got some time to yourself, where do u go and what do you do to chill out??
DJ AM: I like to go HOME! No joke, I worked very hard for years on my house and its my favorite place to be. I love it here and if I am off, I am usually here trying not to leave.
2. Schitz: It seems in this day and age DJ’ing and Producing go hand in hand. You haven’t done too much original production at this point… Is that something you would like to pursue more of or do you have anything on the horizon?
DJ AM: I was a producer before I was a DJ. I actually taught a producer named The Alchemist how to produce beats, and he taught me how to DJ. Funny we both went the other way. I just did a remix with Steve Aoki for Autoerotique. Its pretty cool. Eliand I did a Weezer one too.
3. Schitz: Internet has revolutionized music in every single aspect of the business. Are you a supporter of sites like music blogs and forums that promote artists and their music or do you feel it’s hurting the industry in anyway??
DJ AM: I am a supporter. Its over. No one will ever go buy CDs the way we did 10 years ago. That is not going to change no matter what. Its crazy, but its true.
4. Schitz: It seems in this day and age anybody and everybody can be a DJ with the help of software, the Internet and a computer. What’s your take on the music scene and the DJ’s, Producers and Artists that are currently runnin schit around the globe?
DJ AM: I have no problem with the people that want to be DJs. Its fun! Its my life and always will be. I have a problem (but like everything else, I am powerless over it to an extent) with the promoter that will hire a NAME who can’t DJ and has never paid any dues, just so people come. Even if the music sucks and they can’t mix, they get the job over someone who has put in hours and days of work, just cause they are a celeb or have a name. I make NO mistakes about one thing. I AM NOT A CELEBRITY, I am a DJ and FEW people think I am one cause I have been in mags a few times. But I am just a lucky ass DJ. BUT, I AM A DJ. So I hope I get hired based off that, not off who I bring with me.
5. Schitz: What about the state of the fans that come out to support those acts? Do you feel sometimes its more about an image more so than the music??
DJ AM: Yes… lol
6. Schitz: You co-own the massive Deckstar management agency and get to knock around with some of the biggest DJ’s and Producers in the industry. What is the criteria Deckstar uses to zero in on a potential candidate?
DJ AM: There are 3 owners of Deckstar, I have the final say though on any new talent. If they are on Deckstar, it’s cause I approved them.
7. Schitz: What is the last DJ Mix or the last Album you listened to start to finish and do you recommend it?
DJ AM: DJ Spinbad 90s mix… I have listened to it 30 times and even though some of the music is bad, NO ONE does it like Spinbad does it. He is the greatest Mix CD DJ that has ever lived. His 2nd 80s CD is still to me the best mix CD ever made.
8. Schitz: Best gig so far in ’09?
DJ AM: I would say BFD in Northern Cali that I played on June 6th. It was insane. I love Northern Cali.
9. Schitz: Top 3 tracks your feelin at the moment?
DJ AM: Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm tuff one!
10. Schitz: Do you ever take your cat on the road and if so does he kill it with the ladies?
DJ AM: Hahaha I wish I could bring Muggsy. He has his own folder on my blackberry of pics of him I took and that’s enough for me. He would be mad pissed if I brought him. He likes my house too!
Schitz got the chance to play with Fashen in whistler as well. He is also under theDeckstar umbrella and was mad cool. He came back to the hotel room and kicked it after that gig too… You may remember that post right HERE!
Here is a WORLD EXCLUSIVE, YES WORLD EXCLUSIVE taste of whats to come…
Autoerotique Remix by DJ AM and Steve Aoki.
Autoerotique – Gladiator (Dj AM and Steve Aoki Remix)
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