On the subject of being a lonely DJ:
People that know me well or listen to/watch me mix wonder if I "play out." No, I never get gigs. Been on the scene since the mid/late 90's, these new jack lap-top jockeys were enrolling in Kinder-Care. I stay on vinyl as I consider two turntables and a mixer a true art form. Period. Most people wouldn't have a clue where as to shop for records, much less the good ones. Where as I've paid my dues to the craft, thousands of dollars on exclusive records and a lifetime of research because Im committed to the craft. I don't get gigs because...
1) I'd never be willing to play music I don't respect just because an audience might.
2) I'll never try to get brownie points from people who are in "high places" just to get on board.
3) Promoters don't care about music quality, they just want to fill a room.
4) If the younger club culture is only exposed to mash-up this and dub-step that, they dont appreciate the rich tapestry of the american (and world wide) electronic music underground. They just don't know so most naturally don't care.
5) I don't suck up to fans by standing on stage waiving my arms in the air like a clown or some other stupid antics. No gimmicks, marketing, or hype. Just the passion.
I'd love to "play out", but I wont compromise these terms. This scenario isn't just Iowa City, its like this everywhere, most likely in many music scenes. The burden of being true to the underground. Its a lot easier to sell some shit taylor made for an audience to consume than it is to promote creative thought and have people appreciate it. Am I bitter, unfortunately yes...at times. But I wont desecrate an art from that I enjoy on a spiritual level just to be accepted by people who dont care about the craft as much as I do.
In conclusion, i offer two things to people who are guilty of fucking up the scene by committing the above artistic atrocities: This middle finger and the promise that as long as I breathe i will not fold to conformity. I'll remain true while you leap lilly pads to whatever else is cute at the moment.
Im going to stay underground and any success or lack there-of will be on my terms. Integrity comes at a price, but i will always pay it because to me there is no other way.
On behalf the underground.
jason
