RJD2
RJD2 was a big deal for Eckerd, it is unusual that we get a "name" to play for our school, let alone one that appeals to much of the student body and is not bubblegum. That all changed when I handed Mitch, the number of an agent affiliated with Shimon Presents, the big promoters of the east coast improv/jam music scene. Mitch is an Eckerd student that had taken up the position of making concerts happen at Eckerd, after I had graduated. I felt a sense responsibility with having him be something of a protégé and that, things continue to flourish musically at Eckerd. RJD2 arrived and no one recognized him, he sauntered around the pub, got a beer, milled about for a bit. When he came off stage everyone was asking for his autographs fawning over the fame. I bumped into him standing alone in the pub and was able to ask him a few quick questions, that I had on my mind.
first off, I couldn’t help but notice there was a point when he was playing every big music festival around, his sound was well known, distinct and unique. Recently I have not seen him at many of the festivals he used to play at, instead there are DJ's playing that have a style/sound comparable to him, yet slightly more "inn". RJD2 was definitely at the cutting edge of a trend that was big for a while and laid the groundwork for this "mash up" stuff to be played at festivals. His sound is funky/hip hop/drum with and mellow drum "n" bass. Back when cut chemist (Jurassic Five) and DJ Shadow, DJ Logic were just getting big. Now artists like Bass Nectar and Girl Talk are doing the Jam Band festival thing. I just had to ask why he was not playing these festivals anymore, his answer " I just go where I am asked" " go where the gigs are",
Alex: what’s next for you RJD2? "
RJ: I go where the wind takes me. "lately I have been doing allot of colleges",
Alex: "would you like to start playing the jam festivals again"
RJ: sure "if I’m invited yeah"
I made the comment to RJ about feeling that he was one of the originals perhaps the "first" to do Unique DJing at "Jam" festivals, he did not really answer my question but made an interesting point, "I see jam bands as a lineage, going back to funk jazz eras’" I agreed, "nice talking with you man thanks for coming out to our little school, I’m psyched to hear you play".... and he turned the place out! Fans, People that had heard of him, and never heard of him., all had a GREAT time. He played some slow, funky euphonic music, it played the soundtrack to a great College party, with tons of alumni in the area coming back onto campus for the big show, remembering and reliving the carefree days only a few years back, yet which feel like a lifetime. It sure was great to be back and to see a musician im actually a fan of, one who is skilled and unique in his craft. RJD2 a humble guy, quite, and friendly, like a lot of DJ's obviously someone who has spent late nights in a studio or basement, digging through record crates and mixing samples on his computer.
first off, I couldn’t help but notice there was a point when he was playing every big music festival around, his sound was well known, distinct and unique. Recently I have not seen him at many of the festivals he used to play at, instead there are DJ's playing that have a style/sound comparable to him, yet slightly more "inn". RJD2 was definitely at the cutting edge of a trend that was big for a while and laid the groundwork for this "mash up" stuff to be played at festivals. His sound is funky/hip hop/drum with and mellow drum "n" bass. Back when cut chemist (Jurassic Five) and DJ Shadow, DJ Logic were just getting big. Now artists like Bass Nectar and Girl Talk are doing the Jam Band festival thing. I just had to ask why he was not playing these festivals anymore, his answer " I just go where I am asked" " go where the gigs are",
Alex: what’s next for you RJD2? "
RJ: I go where the wind takes me. "lately I have been doing allot of colleges",
Alex: "would you like to start playing the jam festivals again"
RJ: sure "if I’m invited yeah"
I made the comment to RJ about feeling that he was one of the originals perhaps the "first" to do Unique DJing at "Jam" festivals, he did not really answer my question but made an interesting point, "I see jam bands as a lineage, going back to funk jazz eras’" I agreed, "nice talking with you man thanks for coming out to our little school, I’m psyched to hear you play".... and he turned the place out! Fans, People that had heard of him, and never heard of him., all had a GREAT time. He played some slow, funky euphonic music, it played the soundtrack to a great College party, with tons of alumni in the area coming back onto campus for the big show, remembering and reliving the carefree days only a few years back, yet which feel like a lifetime. It sure was great to be back and to see a musician im actually a fan of, one who is skilled and unique in his craft. RJD2 a humble guy, quite, and friendly, like a lot of DJ's obviously someone who has spent late nights in a studio or basement, digging through record crates and mixing samples on his computer.
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