DJ of the Week — Jodi Bon Jodi

Every week we introduce you to a local LGBTQ party DJ and ask them about their experiences in the scene and feature an audio mix they’ve made. If you’re interested in being featured contact alley@qpdx.com.

DJ Jodi Bon Jodi helms this Friday's Bent

Bent is clearly one of my favorite parties and it is the lovechild of this week’s DJ of the Week Jodi Bon Jodi, along with partner Roy-G-Biv. And now that JBJ is no longer a regular at Blow Pony it’s one of the few places to catch her. So you won’t want to miss this Friday’s edition, which also features Mr. Charming and a photobooth by Bloodhound’s Ally Picard.

When and how did you get started DJing – Jose was talking to me about how Blow Pony (this was back when Jose ran BP with Airick) had lost a DJ and I jokingly said that I would do it. He said – ok great. And the next thing I knew, I was DJing Blow Pony. I had no idea how to use the equipment. Jose had to show me how like minutes before I started.

How did you get your DJ name? JBJ has been my name for about 10 years. Someone gave it to me at a job before I even moved here and then it was a drag name when I was in DK PDX (an amazing drag troupe in portland circa mid 2000s).

Who are you influences/inspirations? Musically, i love 80s new wave artists and alternative. Like Depeche Mode and Erasure. My DJ friends are my inspirations. Like all the read queer DJs in this town. We have really worked it out.

Why do you DJ? Because its the only way I get to hear all the music I want to. No for reals, I like the high I get from creating a mood that makes people dance. It is so satisfying.

What parties/clubs do you currently DJ? BENT every 2nd Friday at the Foggy Notion.

What genres of music do you like to play? Top 40, electropop, 80s new wave, 80s hair metal.

What are some of your current favorite tracks? Anything by the Gossip, ABCs by K’naan, In for the Kill by La Roux, Filthy/Gorgeous by Scissor Sisters. Sometimes oldies are goodies.

What do you wish would stop being played out right now? Shit thats misogynist and fucked up. Like I hate hearing Eminem out at gay clubs.

What was your WORST DJ experience? I have had a few nights of technical difficulty hell. It can get pretty rough. Like it’s not my fault the music sounds like crap, but there isn’t anything I can do about it. One time at Blow Pony pride, some drunk dude pulled the cord out of my external hard drive. That was it, the hundreds of people dancing outside got treated to silence because of one douchebag.

What was your BEST DJ experience? I generally enjoy DJing, but there is something awesome about playing in new cities. I went to Vancouver BC to play at an event called Prance. They are a really rad mixed gender queer dance party. People were just so stoked to have me there and dance to what I was playing. It felt awesome.

What makes a DJ experience good for you? Not clearing the floor.

What are your main pieces of equipment and your favorite? I just use my MacBook. I am super low tech. Honestly, the only reason I started using my computer was because my CD burner broke and I couldn’t make CDs anymore.

What else do you want qPDX to know about you? I really just love playing music. I like making people dance. And I like helping people have a good time when they are out. That’s really all there is to it.