So far in my daily musings I’ve mentioned many a talented band, some area hotspots and really rad upcoming shows. Today I thought I’d turn my attention to one of the largely unsung heroes of the fine art of running a room: The Disc Jockey.
On Tuesday this week, I accidentally got drunk early in the evening. (Sorry Middle America: I said it!) Naturally my next option was to hit downtown and hop through the various bars and lounges (what was I going to do? Sober Up? I’m not a quitter, yo.) Me and my guitarist, the talented and handsome Dan Astorri, ended up at the newest kid on the block’s house, a handsome Irish Pub, Johnny Mac on the corner of Main Street and Mattison Ave here in AP. And who did we find spinning when we got there? Why none other than the talented and handsome (we’re pretty much all talented and handsome in AP) DJ Values!
Now if I hadn’t been a martini, a few glasses of champage (remember–I started in the afternoon), several coronas and one shot of whiskey in, I would have remembered that DJ V had started his Tuesday residency at J Mac’s on that very night. While DJ brings his skill set to many an area venue, he’s going to be there on Tuesdays for the season. I had the pleasure of discussing his skill set (no that’s unfortunately not a euphemism, ladies) and the burgeoning Tuesday night go-to hang out that he’s helping to construct for all us wayward stay-out-too-late on a school night kids in town. How great is DJ Values? In addition to being a tour tech and stellar best friend to The Bouncing Souls, he’s helping to keep kids like me off the streets!
Your Fair Reporter: Hey DJ Values! Thanks so much for your time today. I’ve been to many a dance party spun by you. Alternately, I’ve seen you spin at more laid-back venues and events, too. What kind of music do you like to play?
DJ Values: That’s a hard question to answer, because I DJ so many different places with different themes, so it’s rarely about what I like. It’s about keeping people happy in the environment.
Yeah, I thought that might be too general an inquiry…Being in a band I should know better!
I will say that for the most part I try to play songs that I enjoy and refrain from songs that I dislike… No matter what type of night it is– 80’s, Hip-hop, top 40.I have an eclectic taste so its easy to find something in any genre.
Yeah, I definitely have heard you spin choice selections from all of those equally great categories of music! Let me get a little more specific. What’s the vibe you are going for at your residency at J Macs?
With the night I really just want to play fun music that everyone can enjoy. Mostly rock; but I don’t want to limit myself to any specific thing. It’s cool to not be limited with [what I can play] to [songs that] have to make people dance. When you have a dance floor it’s work to make people stay there. Since that’s not the vibe [on Tuesday’s at J Mac’s] I can play whatever I’m feeling. The night will most certainly be heavy on the side of British Rock from The Stones to Oasis, Duran Duran to New Order.
I think you had pulled out some Post-Punk and New Wave on Tues and I thought that was so rad. I remember Dan and I were talking to Pete [Steinkopf] and the three of us were commiserating about hearing Duran Duran and Echo & The Bunnymen.
Yeah, I would guess that if its totally up to me, which it more or less is, it will be that kind of a vibe. Because that’s what I would want to hear if I were out with friends.
Yes! When I’m out on a night like that, I basically want to hear what I would play at home but while enjoying a beer at the bar, and you totally made that happen! I think it’s really great that you can nerd out on music and still be inclusive.
Ha ha, I hope so.
For me, there’s nothing worse than a DJ that’s so cool that they have to play songs you never heard. There is a TON of good popular music and I think you have good taste and choose songs well.
No, I agree, I hate that. I mean there is a place for that in the world like anything else, but that’s not me. And you’ll never get that from a night that I’m DJing.
Hec Yeah! That’s why we’re all so fond of you. I’ll see you here next Tuesday, and I’ll see you at The Lanes on Saturday. Thank you so much for today.
Thank you, too. I’ll see you Saturday.
You can also catch DJ Values in one of his many incarnations at The Asbury Lanes this Saturday night when he hosts AP’s own twisted version of “The Dating Game” along with co-conspirator Jim Norton. Yours truly will be there onstage, choosing a man who can hopefully actually keep up with me. Let me tell you, ladies, they are few and far between, god bless ‘em, so wish me luck!
XOXO
Ang
