DJ of the Week — Freaky Outty

Every week (or so…) 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.

Freaky Outty is a fixture in queer and mainstream scenes alike. He plays club stompers to sweet sweet soul and lots in between. You can catch some of the latter during the return of one of the best new club nights, the themtastic early soul of SugarTown, this Friday at the Spare Room.

When and how did you get started DJing?
I started collecting records about 10 years ago, and gradually started dipping my toes into house parties and little outdoor raves around the last year of high school. After I’d lived in Portland about a year I managed to get a regular weekly gig at a club that forced me to really start taking the hobby more seriously and step my game up. I learned a lot on my feet at that job since I totally wasn’t prepared for it! They never should have hired me, but I lucked out and became a better DJ because of it.

How did you get your DJ name?
It was a totally last minute thing. We needed a name to put on the flyer for a party, and at the time I had been watching a lot of the show “Home Movies.” In one episode, the kids form a band and their one song is “Freaky Outty,” which sounds like garbage but they’re having so much fun rocking out and making noise that they don’t care.

Who are you influences/inspirations?
Before I was really going out to clubs I listened to tons and tons of mixtapes from the DJs and producers that came up on the east coast around Diplo and Hollertronix in the mid 2000s. Caps & Jones were huge for me, as well as Certified Bananas and The Rub (DJ Ayres, Cosmo Baker & DJ Eleven) and those DJs have continued to be major influences on me.

Once I started going out and seeing cats play live in Portland, I was even more ravenous to get out and do it. Specifically Gregarious at Shut Up & Dance, Beyonda at Rotture back when her party was called Juicy, and Linoleum’s original Tuesday night at Tube. Now the city is ridiculously overrun with talented DJs I’m proud to consider peers, and every time I go out and watch my friends I’m more inspired to do better.

Why do you DJ?
The usual reasons. I love watching people get wild to songs I really love and see them enjoy them as much as I do, and I like not having to talk to people at parties.

What parties/clubs do you currently DJ?
I do 1st and 3rd Saturdays at Tube, 2nd Mondays at The Know, last Saturdays at Dig A Pony, and I just kicked off a new dirty south night on first Fridays at Yes & No called “Catch The Wall.”

What genres of music do you like to play?
When I’m downtown its all club bangers and southern rap. Across the river at the more grownup spots I play a lot of northern soul and disco, but usually still work in some songs about ass.

What are some of your current favorite tracks?
There’s two new bounce tracks I love that sample Little Richard – “Tutti Frutti” right now, “Wop” by Lil Chuckee and “Whop Boppa Lu” by Big Freedia. They’re both insane ass-twerkers. All the new material from Sammy Bananas, including his Fifteenth project with Thee Mike B and his killer disco house remix of Young Jeezy’s “I Do.” And my guilty pleasure of the moment is probably “Cry Just A Little” by Bingo Players. I will embarrass myself promptly and publicly when that jam drops.

What do you wish would stop being played out right now?
Nothing as long as the person playing it can sell it or freak it in a way that makes me wanna hear it! I’d rather just never see the Portlandia “Come To My DJ Night” skit reposted ever again.

What was your WORST DJ experience?
I got booed at Berbati’s for playing Jermaine Stewart. The guy and his friends were total dicks and eventually left but the feeling was so traumatizing I wouldn’t play that song again for months! But that kind of experience is ultimately good for you, you have to develop a thick skin and learn to get over it fast and focus on turning the party out!

What was your BEST DJ experience?
Most recently it would have to be watching a packed house at Tube on a Saturday slow dance to a block of Etta James.

What makes a DJ experience good for you?
When I can really get out of my comfort zone and take the music in different directions while keeping the crowd on board. Its an amazing when you can catch that feeling and ride it for as long as possible, its the reason I keep doing this.

What are your main pieces of equipment and your favorite?
A pair of turntables that work, a mixer with all the knobs and cords in place, clean needles and good whiskey.

What else do you want qPDX to know about you?
I’m kind of a crank a lot of the time, but I really sincerely believe that we’re lucky to live in a town with such a deep and diverse pool of talented creative people with exquisite taste who still know how to act an ass all over the place like its their job.

And if you want proof of that, come to Sugar Town this Friday at the Spare room with me and DJ Action Slacks and you will undoubtedly look adorable and get crazy laid.