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Interview with DJ Machete

DJ MACHETE is a staple in the Los Angeles Jungle/Drum and Bass scene. He began his musical career spinning as DJ Rob G.(not the hardcore DJ) back in 1991, playing hip-hop at infamous after hours spots like No-Doz, What?, and Caffiend.

The Los Angeles underground rave scene was in its infancy then and Rob was inspired by the burgeoning techno-breakbeat culture emerging out of England via local DJs: RAW,CURIOUS, and OSCAR DA GROUCH.

These ‘Jungle’ beats that evolved from frantic old-school breaks layered with hip-hop/reggae vocal-snippets intrigued Rob and pulled him in a new direction.

What is your Name?

Rob G. aka MACHETE

How old are you?

Unknown…

What kind of music do you play?

Hip-Hop/Jungle/Drum and Bass/Various

How long have you been a DJ for?

15 years

When did you start and how did you get into it?

Around 1991, I started going to underground events and discovered a whole DJ scene that I didn’t know existed. I didn’t party too much through high school until that time so, aside from seeing my favorite Hip-Hop DJs in videos, I was somewhat sheltered from that scene. I met my boy Oscar Da Grouch through his brother Tiny, who was a dj/promoter
at the time, and started going to his house where they both lived with their parents. It was there I first touched Technics 1200s and was hooked from the start. I also met R.A.W. through Oscar and his bro and they encouraged me to the point that I had to buy my own decks…and the rest is history, I guess.

What is your opinion on the current scene?

The Drum and Bass scene in Los Angeles is very healthy… heads here are spoiled with all the talent we have, as well as all the UK artists that can’t seem to stay away too long. Clubs like RESPECT, Funktion, and Samurai Sundaze give headz a good weekly dose of DnB. There is a stateside movement on the music production tip that is geared to take things to another level.

How did you get your name?

I started out spinning hip-hop under the name Rob G… but at the point when Jungle had inspired me to start spinning these crazy drums, I knew I needed a name that would fit me, the genre, and my style of cuttin beats.
I think me and some friends were stoned, brainstorming some names when it hit me…. what do you use to cut through the jungle??? After confirmation from my peers, became my name in late 1994 into 1995 when I started spinning jungle music out at parties.

What equipment are you using at the moment? What was your very first setup like?

Real basic right now… 2 TECHNICS 1200s, a NUMARK DXM06 Mixer, SHURE Needles, a G4 POWERBOOK
w/ LOGIC 7 and KONTAKT 2. Music Production normally takes place our main studio in Silverlake. My first mixer was a GEMINI PMX 12 Scratchmaster and a pair of used TECHNICS 1200s that were already 6 years old when I bought them…real jinky set-up but I got some serious use out of it before I sold them and bought newer gear

Any projects/new releases that you are working on?

Starting to plan our promotional strategies for 2007 which may include RESPECT shows in other cities outside of Los Angeles…I have a couple of new mixes set to release including BACK2BACK SESSION VOL.10 Presented by MC XYZ featuring MACHETE and HAZEN (which may be exclusively available online at www.mcxyz.com) and a new CD series by TONZ OF DRUMZ in which I will collab with DJ CRS….my RESPECT THE SOUND promotional mix CD will hit the streets soon featuring many original tunes made in our studio….oh yeah, I def plan to work on more music too.

Where do you get your gigs? What is your favorite spot to spin at?

I have had a few agents over the years but at this time I hustle my own shows, setting up occasional tours and such. I try to have a good time wherever I may play, definitely trying to make the best of any situation…but I’d still have to say my favorite place is our residency at RESPECT in LA. There’s no place like home! I’ve also been getting back to my mixing roots, playing Hip-Hop and various Old School at the House of Blues (www.hob.com) on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. I’ve been made a resident there, opening for artists such as Common, Jurassic 5, X-Clan, and The Roots. That’s always a good time!

What are some of your major influences (Artists, DJs, etc.)?

Our crew, JUNGLIST PLATOON, influence me greatly. Life and everyday experience re-shape and mold me constantly. I am a Leo and it’s my nature to take charge of my jungle but family, friends, and my girlfriend keep me grounded.

What is your most memorable moment while spinning (at an event/club, etc.)?

Too many to name…so many parties and good times.

Why do you spin…what do you get out of it?

I love music and creating a vibe while being able to basically play what I want to play…keeping it fun is key. Once you lose that it feels monotonous and more like a job.

Do you have plans for the future as a DJ?

I still got a few years in me…some tricks up these sleeves for sure =)

What direction do you think the scene is headed in?

It’s really hard to say but it seems that it hasn’t really broken through [mainstream] like it should have by this point. Some would still opt to keep it below the radar, or underground, but there definitely has to be a bigger push in the industry side of things to maintain. There are many new people still getting into the music via events we throw or sets we play. Globally, there is still room for growth. Collaborations seem to be playing a good part in LA’s drum and bass explosion and the bottom line is we have a lot of hard working artists and promoters here making it happen.

Where would you like the scene to be? (Status wise)

Self-sufficient and independent.

What makes a good DJ? What are the key elements? Do they need to produce their own tracks?

Good DJs need only to create, blend, and execute well. If you know your music and the crowd you are directing it too and you can keep them involved in your set…you’ve done your job whether or not you’ve played any of your own music. Playing original tracks of your own or exclusives from other producers enhances a DJ’s set because you know that very few can drop these beats you’re hearing because they are not widely available. A DJ that also produces the music can definitely take things to another level in the industry but there are also others that attain success without being as prolific in production.

How do you feel about the dancers that come to listen to your music?

If there is no one dancing to the DJ’s set then why is he or she doing it? That would just be a listening party but to me…that isn’t a real party. I need to connect with the people in club and if the dancers are feeling it, then I am happy. We have done theme nights at our weekly RESPECT featuring Poppers and B-Boys that seem to always go over well. DJing, dancing, and emceeing and how they connect with the audience are crucial to every show.

For a beginner, what do your recommend they do to get their skills up?

It is my opinion that DJs whose roots are in hip-hop mixing, as in turntablism, are the most comfortable behind the decks and seem most prepared to rock a crowd. Obviously this is not true in every case because there are many great DJs that do something unique, making people feel something special when they spin regardless of what style of music.
Bottom line, know your beats and remember…practice makes perfect!