Archives

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 — 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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DJ of the Week — Bruce laBruiser

Jenny Bruso, DJ Bruce laBruiser

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 Bruce laBruiser, formerly known as Gutter Glamour, Jenny Bruso. You can catch her party Dirtbag! this Thursday (tomorrow) September 1st and again at Saturday September 10th at a great outdoor end of summer party called Some are Sparkles with Beyondadoubt and Chelsea Starr.

When and how did you get started DJing?

It’s kinda funny because I never actually planned on djing. It came to me. My partner and a good friend of our’s wanted to throw a benefit and for some reason they had this idea that I should dj it. Without even thinking about it I told them, “no.” I hate a lot of attention and being on the spot, but over the following next few days I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I found myself thinking about what kind of dj I would want to be and I was hearing all of my music in this new way. Suddenly, I was dying to do it! And after that first time, I was hooked, though I shudder to think about those early days. Eek. It’s actually the perfect gig for me, because I get to be this big part of the party, but i’m tucked away from the crowd and it’s totally weird, but I often find that folks really aren’t even paying that much attention to the dj. Depends on the party.

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