Archives

DJ of the Week — Linoleum

DJ Linoleum. Photo by Manny Reyes

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.

Today’s profile of DJ Linoleum aka Andrea K comes a day early. It’s a holiday week so why not squish  more into the front of it so we can enjoy our time off. And, while Linoleum plays at various events around town her only upcoming gig presently schedule it tomorrow night, Wednesday the 23rd at Aalto Lounge (3356 Southeast Belmont Street) as well as an appearance Superfresh Festival in February. (Plus, a new update first Thursdays at Tube Fast Weapons night starting Dec 1.

When and how did you get started DJing?

I think it was in early 2003. My roommate’s friend told me about this open turntable night that happened every week at Beulahland and was like, “You have lot’s of records! You have to do it!” So, we went down there and there was this great little community of people that simply loved to share music. Super fun and supportive. They showed me how the turntables and mixer worked and then I was hooked!

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DJ of the Week — Tigerstripes

Matthew Kenneth aka DJ Tigerstripes

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.

So I’m starting to get to the ends of my personal arsenal of local queer DJs but I noticed a name pop up on several queer nights, including a brand-spankin’ new one starting this weekend that looks pretty good, Yes. So I asked one of the DJs on the bill if he’d like to participate and he said, unfortunately, he was straight. And it’s interesting, because my focus is definitely on promoting queer members of our community. But DJ Tigerstripes has been a name I’ve seen associated with queer parties for awhile. Yes bills itself as one, and the other two residents are most certainly queer, as well as being previous DJs of the week. So I asked Tigerstripes, aka Matthew Kenneth to participate anyway and include why he likes working with queer people and their awesome parties. 

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DJ of the Week — Pocket Rock-it

Brendan Scott aka DJ Pocket Rock-it. Photo by Dan Ostergren

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 Pocket Rock-it may have taken a break from residencies at clubs such as Red Cap but he’s certainly been popping up all over the place as a guest at queer parties, club nights and fundraisers. This weekend you can catch him at Bent, North Portland’s biggest queer/dyke night. This Friday’s edition features all kinds of interesting guests on the decks in addition to the Rock-it such as Mr. Charming (Gaycation),  Kasio Smashio (Deep Cuts), DJ Bender (Crave/Sluts N’ Squares) and, of course the lady killers Roy-G-Biv and Jodi Bon Jodi.

When and how did you get started DJing?

I was interested in the concept and decided to buy a book on the subject. Later, I bought some turntables and started practicing. After a couple of months of practicing, I made a mix and took it to different venues trying to get a night. The rest is history.

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DJ of the Week – L Train

L Train concentrating hard in the DJ booth
L Train concentrating hard in the DJ booth

L Train concentrating hard in the DJ booth

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 L Train has an irreverent outlook to getting behind the decks, as you can tell from both her name and her pictures. This laid back and fun attitude serves her well as regular nights at the gayish venues of the P Club and Aalto Lounge. But the Train likes to make some scheduled stops at other party stations such as this Friday’s Deep Cuts, which stars two former DJs of the Week, Bruce LaBruiser and Kasio Smashio.

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DJ of the Week — Action Slacks

DJ Action Slacks. Photo by Annie Maribona

qPDX is starting a new feature! Every week we will 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.

This week’s DJ of the Week is something like a repeat. This is for two reasons. Firstly, I’ve had a busy week and a bit under the weather. More importantly, however, DJ Action Slacks‘ profile was one of the most popular so far and definitely the most shared when it was originally published. This weekend she’s at the helm of a bigger night. Only in its third incarnation, SugarTown queer soul party is the best new queer night with a distinctly non-pop music focus.

As I said previously the Slacks distinct music and fashion sense is pretty much my favorite right now and I have a sneaking suspicion that this party might turn out to be 2011?s best new night.

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DJ of the Week — Mr Charming

DJ Mr Charming. Ginger Girl Photography / Amy LaBree Ferrell

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.

Gaycation is one of the longest running queer nights. It happens this Saturday at Holocene, and has been, for the past 5 and a half years. It’s a damn good night at one of the most interesting music clubs and still as fresh and fun as it always was. At it’s helm is Mr Charming aka Mary McAllister, who knows how to throw a good party, as most of my 20s can attest to. And this Saturday is her birthday, so you know she’s gonna bring it.

She has also come to be a friend of mine, the beginning of which I will mark with a special random video ending for those of you who stick it out through the post. It has nothing to do with anything, other than it’s October and therefore Haunted House time. So let’s view it as something of an outtake circa 2008.

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DJ of the Week — Amy Kasio

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.

This week sees newish DJ Kasio Smashio on the eve of her brand spankin’ new night called Deep Cuts which will premiere this Friday the 7th at Rotture. This ally friendly party is co-helmed by earlier DJ of the Week Bruce LaBruiser and features Freddie Fagula as a guest at the opener. It is for those who want to focus on the music and move beyond top 40. Can I say PDX music snob in the nicest way possible? That’s what I’m envisioning.

When and how did you get started DJing?

I’ve had a passion for finding new music and sharing it with others my whole life. I come from the generation of kids who made mixtapes like their lives depended on it. I would put everything I had into making the perfect mixtape based on what situation it was for. Was it for a crush? A friend? A party? A roadtrip? What kind of roadtrip? I even went so far as to make mixes for my favorite bands that passed through town so they would have something different to listen to on the road.

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DJ of the Week — DJ iLL Camino

Ill Camino

qPDX is starting a new feature! Every week we will 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.

This week’s DJ, Ill Camino, basically has parties all the damn but this coming couple weeks are big’uns. Thursday sees the return of the school year at The Cafeteria – Saved by the Bell edition and Saturday will take is all to a world of Bartertown and Mad Max with Mrs. Beyond Thunderdome.

When and how did you get started DJing?

My first gig ever was in my hometown of Salem, in what was the only gay club in town called “the 300 club”. It came about through a friend of mine who totally lied and said I had DJ’ed before. The truth was just that I REEEEALLY loved music. The first queer Portland nights I was involved with were a party called “Movement” – later changed to “Partyline” – at Holocene with Vera Domini and Amber Valentine, and a queer hip hop nite at Berbati’s called “The Boom” with Conrad Loebl, Vera Domini and Kristin Ogata.

How did you get your DJ name?

It was given to me by my BFF Sarah who didn’t like that I was going by “DJ Wesley”. Its great cuz iLL Camino is totally a pun. I love puns.

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DJ of the Week — Rhienna

DJ Rhienna

qPDX is starting a new feature! Every week we will 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.

Rhienna has been a a go-to DJ for events for SMYRC, the bike community, and the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. She currently has residencies at Yes/No and guest spots at the Fez, TIGA, and Red Cap Garage. You can catch her twice this weekend, on Thursday at VITUS at the Yes/No, an electro/nudisco/post-punk/new wave night and Friday at the Fez for their weekly decadent 80s night. And Saturday October 8th she’ll be making a very special appearance at Glam Rock night at the Lovecraft (Portland’s only horror-themed bar 421 SE Grand).

When and how did you get started DJing?

i think, like most DJs, i became interested in DJing after years of loving music, making mixtapes and enjoying the experience of sort of…curating a musical experience based on a theme or emotion or message. mixtapes became mix CDs which became hypothetical setlists. all it really takes after that point is someone to show you how to operate DJ equipment (most of which is pretty intuitive) and beatmatch, and you’re hooked. at least i was. once i learned how to use turntables, a mixer, CD-Js (back in the day), all i wanted to do is practice, and play music for people out and about. my first gig in portland was not long after moving here, in late 2007.

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DJ of the Week — Roy G Biv

Roy G Biv, aka Katey Pants, is a big fan of the bling gif

Roy G Biv, aka Katey Pants, is a big fan of the bling gif

qPDX is starting a new feature! Every week we will 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.

This week features DJ Roy G Biv aka Katey Pants. You can catch her party Bent, which we named best new club night of 2010, this Friday September 9th. This special edition will feature a preview of multimedia performer Kaj-Anne Pepper‘s GenderFantasy. She has also appeared at many other popular club nights including Blow Pony, Gaycation and others.

When and how did you get started DJing?

In Portland; I started DJ’ing at BENT. This was nearly 2 years ago and since then I’ve learned a lot; have challenged myself; and have humbled myself a lot.

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