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Interview with a DJ: Elixir
February 24th, 2010
By: La Cutie
BIO
He was born and raised in Kalihi exposed to Hip-Hop and the impact it had on Hawaii's people. From 1994-1996 Break Dancing with Supreme Team B-Boys enabled an identity to perform and expose Hip-Hop's amazing art. In 1997, DJ Elixir was born and was introduced by Hawaii's Mobile DJ Company, Music Unlimited. 2002-2006, he moved to California for school and was involved in a diverse Hip-Hop community that became an interest and addiction to his current knowledge of DJing. Experiencing all sorts of genres (MashUps, Segways, BMore, etc.), made him realize how much DJing has evolved and he had to get in the game. At that point, it was time for the digital world and it was all for the people he was going to DJ for on the dance floor.
Now being back in Hawaii, he has gone through a series of developments that gives a new level of feel, music, and happiness. DJing birthday parties, school dances, school proms, graduation parties, weddings, clubs, and even funerals made him learn what music does on the dance floor and the reaction it has on people. The turntables become a bridge to reach a zone or place of freedom. This zone eventually becomes the dance floor affecting people that create a party like no other. Like what DJ Cris Q says: "It becomes the cure for the common dance floor." Like the medicine Dimetapp Elixir, it is the cure for the common cold. That is how he got the name, DJ Elixir.
The goal today is to expose people and help with promoting the legacy of Hip Hop. With artists, producers, and DJs working together, music will sound better than ever and touch people's heart like no other. It’s a contagious influence, and it’s great to be a part of it!
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La Cutie: So, you were a BBoy dancer before becoming a DJ? Is that how you got exposed to the turn tables?
DJ Elixir: Yes - most of the events that we breaked had a DJ in the background, so that became a starting interest.
La Cutie: And what made you say, “Let me make the music instead of being on the dance floor?”
DJ Elixir: I was hooked more on the music than the pain I was getting :-)
La Cutie: LOL, the pain from dancing, true to that! So the music is what gave you that initial push to dj?
DJ Elixir: Yes - once my cousin first put me on the t-tables, I really could not get off. DJing is so much fun!
La Cutie: You have been DJing 13 years?
DJ Elixir: Yeah - 13 sounds about right. since 1997, when I was initiated into Music Unlimited.
La Cutie: Explain to me what is Music Unlimted. I know is a mobile dj company and until a year ago I didn't know what a mobile DJ was.
DJ Elixir: Music Unlimited is a Mobile DJ Service. Meaning - if you need a DJ at your party, you should call Music Unlimited. DJ for birthday parties, graduation, wedding, or if you need sounds and lighting at a special event. I think Music Unlimited still does funerals. Not sure. Basically music for all occasions.
La Cutie: FUNERALS???? Really?
DJ Elixir: In my entire career, I did 2 funerals. Very challenging.
La Cutie: How was it challenging and what type of music did you spin at the funeral?
DJ Elixir: It wasn't actually a spin, it was more of just playing music in the background. Mostly slow songs; Atlantic Star, Braddah Iz, and more.
La Cutie: And how was that challenging?
DJ Elixir: Every gig is challenging and that's where the skill of reading the crowd comes in. In these funerals, the crowd was more exposed music of their culture, Filipino Music. My library was not huge for that back then, so I had to do major research. Playing Hawaiian music at these funerals would have never cut it.
La Cutie: Music for all OCCASIONS is what a DJ brings or like you say the cure.
I like your DJ name - DJ Elixir from the medicine Dimetapp, you cure people through music.
DJ Elixir: Thanks - that's what I try to bring to the dance floor every single time, the cure.
La Cutie: So if you are having a bad day or a bad time does DJing help you cure up?
DJ Elixir: Hell Yah! I always tell people that it’s my therapy session. If the DJ set cures me, I hope it cures people at my next event too.
La Cutie: Which will bring me to what's your favorite tune of all time that will guarantee to cure you?
DJ Elixir: I'd have to say Mad Lion - Take it easy. That is the very first record I ever spinned. Every time I play that, it brings me back to remind what it means to be happy, stress-free, and free. Although - 80's seem to do the trick for me these days :-) As it does with many people.
La Cutie: Yeah!! 80s rock!!! What's the best event or party you've spinned at and why?
DJ Elixir: Honestly, it was at a wedding on the west-side. Good food, good people, and good music. I was definitely set free and I was with DJ Cris Q. We went off on 80's and had the most fun that almost never ended. The party was extended to 6 in the morning and we made major memories! It's pretty much burned in me for the rest of my life :-)
La Cutie: Beautifully said. Now what was the funniest thing that ever happened at an event? I’m almost afraid to ask...lol
DJ Elixir: Funniest? That's a hard one....
La Cutie: A hard one because of so many?
DJ Elixir: I think when one of us (not saying who) ended dancing with someone's grandma and loved it. Wait - not sure if he loved it, but it sure showed in his face :-)
Oh my - the great memories....
La Cutie: Hahaha...Lovely! In your collection of dj equipment do you have more vinyl collections or cds and do you use serato?
DJ Elixir: Well - I used to always use Music Unlimited's records and they have I think more than 8 crates of records varying from 80's to now. Today, I use serato because of the flexibility in remixing/producing tracks.
La Cutie: And do you enjoy that better now than 13 years ago when there was no serato?
DJ Elixir: Yes - I've had more awesome memories with records, but I think serato has the potential to create the same memories.
La Cutie: What advice would you give to up and coming DJs?
DJ Elixir: Rock on! Keep it going! And most importantly, HAVE FUN!
QBert once said, "Its not what you know, it’s what you do with what you know."
La Cutie: AMEN to that!! And when you are outside the music or nightlife scene what do you do with your time? Do you continue playing with music?
DJ Elixir: Music is always an influence to me, so I have it stuck in my heart. Outside the "scene," I'm a boring family man that literally and figuratively deals with s*it (excuse the french).
La Cutie: LMFAO I believe most of us do...hahaha.
DJ Elixir: Surprisingly, my co-workers inspire some of my dj work.
La Cutie: How is that?
DJ Elixir: One co-worker is from the 80's. Another is from the 90's. At times, they like to whistle at the same time. Guess what that makes? A Mash Up.
La Cutie: Hell yeah, I love that!! Ok, I heard a rumor that mash up is your favorite to spin. Any truth to that rumor?
DJ Elixir: I'm not sure. It appears that way and I don't intend it to be, but I do it at the events mostly. I have many favorites and it all depends on the event. I have yet to find a favorite genre. When I see you around, I like to spin Madonna :-)
La Cutie: Madonna, I think I have that effect on most DJs that know me…lol.
How is the nightlife scene in your eyes at the moment in Hawaii and do you see any changes?
DJ Elixir: I see the nightlife in Hawaii steady at the moment because of economy. Eventually, I can see it providing more diverse entertainment and giving more parties out there. With this casino thing coming up, I'm assuming a club opening up in there...
La Cutie: What, a CASINO? That should be fun and here is a fun question for you. If your turntables were a time machine what year would you spin back to and why?
DJ Elixir: THE 80'S! If I understand correctly, that was the time where the most fun happened! The clothing, music, and culture were crazy!
La Cutie: It was!! You aren't from the 80s? How old are you?
DJ Elixir: No - more from the 90's and I'm in my late 20s.
La Cutie: DJ ELIXIR, I’m looking forward on having you spin at SMASH IT UP and making new memories for you and curing up people on the DANCE FLOOR.
DJ Elixir: And I look forward to partying with you.
La Cutie: Hey, Mr. DJ can you SMASH IT UP?!
DJ Elixir: For sure! Let’s do this!
La Cutie: Anything else you want to say? Any shouts?
DJ Elixir: Greatest shouts to God who gives this blessing. Shouts to DJ Cris Q who always is the right-hand-man in this passion. The Music Unlimited Tribe who has made me feel like family. Ana for giving me the opportunity to do this and featuring me on dosomethingtonight.com. My kids who always reminds me to be happy. And my girlfriend, Lei, who supports and keeps letting me do what passions me, because she believes in me. And - to the people who listen to my work and keep me be DJ Elixir.
Peace, Aloha, and Goodbye!
~Catch DJ Elixir performing live at Manifest, Friday, February 26th!
Follow DJ Elixir at:
myspace.com/elixir808
facebook.com/djelixir
twitter.com/djelixir
Bookings:
elixir808@gmail.com
808-291-1032
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