FEATURE: DJ Skeet Skeet Interview

LA's DJ Skeet Skeet runs a really cool blog called www.eatskeet.com, he also has a really good afro which reminds me heaps of Kyp Malome from TV On The Radio (R.I.P to Gerard Smith) or maybe it is the thick rimmed glasses. DJ Skeet Skeet is also a graphic designer and a lover of Charles Bronson jokes, Chilaquiles from Cha Cha Cha in Silverlake and the "Thank You Based God" Meme. Most importantly though, DJ Skeet Skeet is an undisputed party-rocking champion with really good representation (I see you Matthew Huang) and an immaculate list of top-tier artists he has played alongside, or even better remixed for.

Thanks to his skills, general good attitude and fantastic representation, DJ Skeet Skeet is visiting our shores very soon to perform in support of KATY FUCKING PERRY in Auckland on the 7th and 8th of May at the Vector Arena and play a couple of side shows along the way. In light of this, I caught up with him for a few serious and not so serious questions.

How did you get into DJing? How long did it take you to go professional with it? How did you make the transition?
About 5 years ago, I'd say I went "pro" about 4 years ago when that started taking over from my design work. I went from one art - design to another music so it went pretty smoothly.

What is your favourite Chuck Norris or Mister T joke?
I only tell Charles Bronson Jokes, lolz

Did you get into production before or after you started DJing? How did you start out with production? At what level do you work now, what do you work on? And what do you consider to be your key production/remix credits? How do you feel being a DJ helps/hinders this?
Before I just started poking around playing till I made noise I liked. I have credits on everything from Chris Brown tracks to Television and Movie original pieces and remixes for all kinds of peeps. I think the best thing I've done in a long time is the UKG remix of Broken Social Scene. Being a DJ definitely helps because I get to feel the pulse of dance music changing constantly.

What is your favourite social networking platform and why?
Twitter is fun and smart. I feel like Facebook is some 1984 government spy business, ha-ha; but I'm probably over thinking it.

Katy Perry - Hot N' Cold (DJ Skeet Skeet Remix)

Where did you get your performance name from? And how?
My nickname was Skeeter when I was a kid and my buddy thought it would be funny to call me "Skeet Skeet" for a one off DJ Gig. One gig turned into another and another and another and now I'm branded for life; ha-ha.

Who do you consider your key associations in the music world in terms of crews, associates, labels etc?
Mega is my clique - Rony's Photo booth, Dillon Francis, Brick Stowell, Jay Ughh, Mom & Dad, Glover Jr. , But I'm friends with all the Trouble and Bass Guys, Mad Decent Fam, Fools Gold and all kinds of people.

Where are you from originally, where have you lived and where do you live now? How have these difference places helped inform who you are?
Born in LA, Raised in Iowa, Live in LA. All have been great for me, [I] really learned who I was in Iowa and [I] got to grow to full potential in LA.

Mike Posner - Cooler Than Me (Skeet Skeet 2010 RMX)

What is your current favourite internet meme?
THANK YOU BASED GOD.

Aside from music, what are your other key interests, how do these influence or inform your aesthetic?
Graphic Design has always been my first passion artistically, I think that and music go hand in hand. Having a message and relaying it with different tools as clearly as possible is the name of the game in both arenas.

How would you describe your style/styles, how have they developed, grown and changed?
I just do what I like, pretty much no rules. That's always stayed the same.

What is your ideal breakfast meal and why?
Chilaquiles at Cha Cha Cha in Silverlake

Who have been some key musical influences on you and your development?
So many it'd be tough to name them all, but Kim Deal, Tom Delonge, Zach De La Rocha, AVH, Mike Skinner etc

What are a few of your favourite records and why?
Talking Heads - Speaking In Tongues (Just a phenomenal record top to bottom and has my favourite song ever on it 'This Must Be The Place')
Rage Against The Machine - Self Titled ('Bombtrack' changed my life.)
The Bled - Pass The Flask (Big one for me in High School)

What do you consider to have been your biggest accomplishments to date, why?
I guess being able to do what I love for a living. Pretty awesome.

In 2011, what is your stance on SWAG?
SWAGGGGGG is fun to use and abuse

How is touring with Katy Perry?
She's the greatest person ever. Love her to pieces.

By Martyn Pepperell

www.eatskeet.com
www.twitter.com/skeetonmytwitts