DJ Masamune
*Now you can purchase my new CD, Blade of the 'Mune for 12.50 (shipping and handling included). For every order, if you want, I'll include a demo of a DJ mix I did, mixed live in my room. My name is going to bring you a revolution. PLUR.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
I got Mixman Studio 3.0 in 1998, and upgraded in 1999. I have always wanted to create music, and through the computer I found a way to. I got Acid Pro about a year ago, and this has improved the over-all mixing of my tracks. Also, around that time I purchased turntables, and am now trying to incorporate more scratching into my tracks. Had my first Club gig at the Underground in Virginia Beach during a night called Vinyl, which is still going on, and I'll be there off and on for their open tables night. Had my first PAYING dj gig that same year for the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. They have yet to send me my $155 and it's been several months. In 2003 I threw the first 'Educate' party, which drew 50 people and had 4 djs. The next semester we threw 'Educate 2' in 2004. This drew almost 100 people, and had 9 djs. Look out for this 'Educate 3' coming soon.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I spin in DC Metro area and Virginia Beach/Norfolk area, but I'm willing to go as far as you want (I'll WALK to California if your willing to book me). I spin a wide variety of music, focused mainly on hard trance/hard house but am branching out into EBM and breaks. I try not to stick with only one style, keeping my eyes open to many influences. I've been known to slip things like System of a Down's Chop Sui into the mix. I'm also willing to do weddings/college or high school dances. What ever the event, as long as you have a check, I'll play whatever you tell me to. I also do custom mixes for people (cheerleading, events, talent shows etc. etc.). For cheerleading I charge $200. Email for examples.
Your musical influences
I have been influenced by my parents, they taught me alot about music. Liem from Prodigy, his vision has made me look at electronic music quite differently. Also, a local band named Boole (boole.org), they introduced me to 'gothic' techno ... opened a new avenue to me. Every song I listen to adds to my perception of music. part Assemblage 23, Front 242, DJ Venom, Deisel Boy ... ah hell, it changes from song to song. I'm working on a song right now that sounds like UNKLE for gods sake!
What equipment do you use?
MicroKorg, Reason 2.0, Acid 4.0, acid loop CDs, Stanton Str-50 Turntables, Matrix Fusion 3 mixer, sony vaio
Anything else?
Hit me up with an IM, my name is 'Ravegoggles' - 'Raving can be viewed as a transcendental mind altering experience providing psychic relief to alienated people in a secular repressive and materialistic society ... a deeply desired escape from the constraints of the self and normal behaviour. To stretch the religious metaphor, DJs are the high priests of the rave ceremony, responding to the mood of the crowd, with the wheels o' steel symbolising the altar, (the only direction in which the ravers consistently face). Dancing at raves may be construed as the method by which ravers 'worship' the God of altered consciousness. Indeed, the central role of dancing at raves is underlined by the absence of other common social behaviours such as conversing and sexual contact besides the total absence of aggression or disordered behaviour.' If God is a DJ, then the world is your sampler, and your life is the vinyl, remix reality. PLUR to you all, my friends - Josh aka DJ Masamune
