Interview with a DJ: Audissey

La Cutie: AUDISSEY what is your real name?  Is it really AUDISSEY?

DJ Audissey: yes :-)

La Cutie: What about Joe-Sol?

DJ Audissey: My government name is "Joe-Sol Malaikini," but I prefer "Audissey.” If you write me a check to "DJ Audissey" I can cash it, so it’s pretty much a "real" name :-)

La Cutie: What does DJ Audissey mean and how was it created?

DJ Audissey: Since I started DJ'ing in 1997, I’ve gone through many monikers, but nothing stuck. I believe in 2000, I was thinking about what I wanted my "DJ" name to reflect. I wanted it to describe my mission as a DJ which is to take people on a musical journey or an "odyssey" if you will. Odyssey was too simple and the word already had a large meaning in the industry. The company "Odyssey" makes DJ Cases and other gear. I decided to fuse Audio and Odyssey together and that’s how Audissey was created. 
A little side note, since then I noticed that there is a sound installation company that is called "Audissey" and also an oldies live band called "Audissey"

La Cutie: Oooooohhhhh, I LOVE IT!

DJ Audissey: :-)

La Cutie: This is what amazes me about you. You are only 23 and by my calculations you were DJ’ing at age 10 and started in the business at age 17, correct?

DJ Audissey: I did start at 10 years old; I was blessed to have a best friend (who remains my best friend to this day) whose family owned a mobile DJ business. I was able to learn and also go out and help them at parties and dances. His older brother taught me the basics of DJ’ing. I have been DJ'ing in clubs since I was 16.

La Cutie: Would you consider yourself then a veteran?

DJ Audissey: You know, in a sense I do, but I still live like I’m a new DJ. I try and learn as much as I can and I practice all the time. I wouldn't say I’m a veteran although I do feel that I am experienced.

La Cutie: You have been an active DJ and a leading figure on the island for many years; what lead you into the studio?

DJ Audissey: Basically, music has been in my future since I was born. I just heard a story about the day my parents got married; I was about 18 months and was the ring bearer. As I was walking down the aisle, I stopped right in front of my grandfather, who was singing the entrance music, and was just entranced.  Music was always my destiny. I started singing and playing music before I was a DJ. It was only a matter of time before I learned production and started creating my own music.

La Cutie: I heard you sing and you sing beautifully!

DJ Audissey: thanks :-)

La Cutie: You have a Debut Solo album as a singer; tell me a bit about this album

DJ Audissey: Well, quite frankly, I have about 3 solo albums haha!  There are so many directions I want to go with my music.

La Cutie: Why 3 solo albums and tell me about each one of them.

DJ Audissey: I love to sing reggae, but I’m not just a reggae artist.  I love to sing RnB but I’m not an RnB artist.  I haven't released any of them yet because I don't want to be established as a "certain" type of artist and my taste in music is about as diverse as it gets. Plus I do everything myself in my own studio, so I have no direction. It’s whatever I want to do. I have a TON of unfinished tracks, but recently I was presented with an opportunity for an album. They want to do an acoustic pop album and I think that will suit me. I will be able to do anything reggae, RnB. It all goes into acoustic pop music but you'll have to stay tuned for that :-)

La Cutie: That sounds FUN! I wish I could sing and DJ; you are BLESSED. But I hear that you are a DANCER too.

DJ Audissey: HAHA! Well, back in like 2002-2004, I was a founding member of the "2 Step Krew." basically it was a hip hop dance crew, but not Bboy or Popping primarily. We did stuff like heel-toe, c-walk, and Harlem Shake.
I can still do most of the stuff but I am a lot bigger than I was then; haha.  I do dance a lot behind the turntables, I just like to have a good time and I love music too much to stay still. DJ's who don't get into it and have a good time, dance, and move around bore me. No offense to anyone, but my belief is that if I’m not having a good time, how can the crowd have a good time?

La Cutie: EXCALLY!  AMEN TO THAT AND CLAPPING!

DJ Audissey: :-)

La Cutie: You obviously see people dancing all the time. What move impresses you the most on the dance floor?

DJ Audissey: Hmm, that’s a tough one. I love watching people dance and have fun; it drives me as a DJ and tells me I’m doing my job correctly.  My favorite is the Jersey Shore Fist Pump!  Haha; just kidding! I got big into dance music recently and the Melbourne Shuffle is crazy.

La Cutie: When you say you got big into the dance scene, does that mean you are now a fan of white gloves and glow sticks?

DJ Audissey: lol. Not so much. I’m more into the music side; the extras within the scene are cool, but not my thing.  I just love the way people react to the music, you can't really find that anywhere else.

La Cutie: You are a commanding force in Hawaii’s nightclub scene, a member of "BumSquad Djs", performing all over the country, and across the globe in Kuwait for the US Troops. What’s your FAVORITE event you’ve played at and why?

DJ Audissey: Hmm....that’s a tough one. I have performed for MANY events not only as a DJ but also as a musician and singer. I would have to say that the Kuwait gigs were extremely emotional. The fact that we could bring those soldiers a slice of home through music makes it my favorite event I played at, but in that situation, I was a guitarist/singer with B.E.T.

La Cutie: What would be your ideal or dream gig?

DJ Audissey: They are different for everything I do. As a top 40 Dj, it would be to do a tour out of the country as an electronic DJ and it would be to perform at EDC.

La Cutie: That’s why I asked what your ideal or dream gig would be for you, for example when I first heard you sing you were DJ’ing and that blew me away!!!

DJ Audissey: Thanks.  As a singer, it would be to perform at the Grammy awards.

La Cutie: Awesome! Take me too!

DJ Audissey: Hahaha maybe lol

La Cutie: Being that you started at a very young age in the music and nightlife scene, what advice would you give to an up and coming DJ, musician, singer, who starts before puberty?

DJ Audissey: Well, it would be to live your life. Music has ruled my life since I was a young age. I wasn't able to enjoy the same things that my peers did, high school sports, dances, going to my first club when I was old enough. I was always performing with bands, DJ’ing parties or a rehearsal, so I missed a lot of stuff. Also, if you are 100% sure this is what you will do with your life then do it. If there is ANY doubt, make sure you do good in school and go to college. This had been my career plan since I was a kid and it is hard. If you aren't 110% dedicated and confident that this is your calling, then you will struggle.

La Cutie: What about girls, drugs, alcohol, and did I mention sex? How did you handle the pressures and temptations at a young age?

DJ Audissey: Well, I was smart enough to learn from other peoples mistakes. I was never into drugs, I was never a drinker and I do not drink at all. Girls come and go, but music has always been there for me. That’s how I live my life, I do every gig with blinders on so that I can focus on what I am doing to learn from and to keep my focus.  I don't mess with anything that could alter my judgment.

La Cutie: Proud of you!  No Drama for you.  What do you do when you aren’t mixing it up, singing it out, traveling, and in this case dancing?

DJ Audissey: Well, there are 2 things I do for fun aside from music. I play softball and I play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on XBOX live.  I am a beast at both :-)

La Cutie: That is awesome!  Wait didn't you say you do bowling too?

DJ Audissey: Yeah bowling is just for the hell of it, lol.

La Cutie: Now for the fun questions.  If when you scratched your records it would grant you 3 wishes, what would they be and why?

DJ Audissey: First, it would be for my health, it’s kind of personal but I suffer from Gout. It is a hereditary form of arthritis that reacts to certain food, liquids and changes in health. It prevents me from doing a lot. I’d like to work out regularly again, but it’s tough when you have gout in your joints.  Second, would be for some tips for success.  I don't like stuff handed to me, rather than wish for success, I’d like to maybe get some guidance. Third would be for all homeless Hawaiian people to have a home.

La Cutie: Wow, I’m too greedy I would wish for a huge house with no payments, have Johnny Depp, and to meet Madonna. 

DJ Audissey: Lol, I’m sure we all would wish for something like that. I just figure, that comes with success, if I had some help becoming successful, then I’ll get all of that without having to waste 2 wishes and more.

La Cutie: I am looking forward for Friday April 30th are you?

DJ Audissey: Oh yeah!

La Cutie: Hey, Mr. DJ AUDISSEY, can you SMASH IT UP?

DJ Audissey: I haven't done a strictly mashup event but I do incorporate a lot of mashups in my sets. This will be a fun challenge that I’m confident I will be able to conquer :-)

La Cutie: I believe you will and so will the crowd. Now this is the time to hear your shoutouts. Give it to us!

DJ Audissey: well, first and foremost, I’d like to shout YOU out for having me at SMASH IT UP; also, my brothers in the BumSquad DJs, Team SSK, No Fear Hawaii, Kutmaster Spaz, James Coles, Strike Sounds and last, but most definitely not least, Ricky Bobby.

Comments: djpheloneous on April 26th, 2010 wrote: BUMSQUAD DJZ HOLDING IT DOWN!!!!!! Please Sign In or Sign Up to leave comments.