Interview with a DJ: Sho

La Cutie: Why is your DJ name DJ Sho and not DJ Show?

DJ Sho: Well, it used to be DJ Show. I got it when a friend and I started a mobile DJ company called Show-Time productions. I was DJ Show and he was DJ Time. We went our separate ways and one day people started calling me DJ Sho like Fo-Sho!

La Cutie: Your DJ name was created in Hawaii but you started to spin back around 1999?

DJ Sho: Yeah, I always wanted to be a DJ when I was living back in Pittsburgh. I finally got my chance when I moved to Hawaii. I met DJ Mike D in high school and he brought me on board to Mystical Sounds for a brief time and then I eventually met Kevin Nakasone a.k.a. DJ Dream. At the same time my other friend, DJ Time, and I formed our own little mobile DJ company which didn't last very long. lol.

La Cutie: Why didn't your DJ company last very long?

DJ Sho: I think we only had 2 gigs and it lasted for only a couple of months.

La Cutie: Oh well, seems like a good start though right?

DJ Sho: Yes, definitely! We felt like we were on top of the world having our own mobile company.

La Cutie: You were raised in freezing cold Pittsburgh, then made the switch to warm and sunny Hawaii. What brought you to here?

DJ Sho: We had family in Hawaii and none in Pittsburgh. I mean, I love Pittsburgh. I actually miss the cold weather. But my mom felt that it would be better to be closer to family. It was tough on me leaving but I grew to love Hawaii and its weather.

La Cutie: Being around family and getting introduced to DJ'ing kind of seems like a blessing in disguise. Did you know music was going to be such a big part of your life?

DJ Sho: Well, at the time I didn't know that it would be a big part of my life. I just knew when I was younger that I loved listening to music. There would always be music on at home. Usually, Earth Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, Gap Band, or Stevie Wonder. This is why if you ever hear me mix I always have a little taste of the old skool in my sets. I remember since the first time I went to any clubs to even this day I wouldn't go looking or hitting on girls but my eyes would be glued to the DJ booth watching the DJ spin the vinyls all night.

La Cutie: I bet a lot of girls got mad at you, but what a passionate thing to say!

DJ Sho: Haha. I think my ex got mad at me before because: I don't dance and I'd be by the DJ booth all night.

La Cutie: Why is it the most DJs don't dance? Why don't YOU dance DJ Sho?

DJ Sho: Haha. I may have rhythm but the dance floor and I don't mix. I can't say that for most of the DJ's out there. Just not my thing. I'll just leave dancing to the crowds.

La Cutie: What do you do to motivate the masses if nobody is dancing?

DJ Sho: Well, one of the most importing things any DJ needs to develop is to learn how to "read" the crowd. I mean some DJs may start dancing to their own music so the crowd thinks because the DJ is dancing then maybe they should too. I don't. I look at what age group a certain group of people are. Maybe the girl feeling the beat of some Hip-Hop. The group of guys that look like they’re from the Bay area or even older couple that wants to hear some funk. I will try my very best NOT to drop a mainstream top 40 track just to get people to dance. I feel like that’s cheating and that I'm taking the easy way. It’s all about finding that one track way out in left field that makes all people jump on the dance floor.

La Cutie:  When does a mainstream top 40 track become a good oldie?

DJ Sho: Usually, when a track falls off the top 40 rotation but you know will work for the next years in the clubs because it’s a great song. A great example is "Family Affair" by Mary J. Blige and "If I ruled the world" by Nas and Lauryn Hill. Then there are the tracks that hit the top 40 list just because its hook is real catchy but as soon as it leaves radio air play those songs are long forgotten. Those are usually the one hit wonders.

La Cutie: I love "If I Ruled the World" by Nas, you will have to play that one for me. Will you take requests from the crowd?

DJ Sho: I do. It has to be reasonable though. I hate playing a song twice in one night even if I'm doing a seven hour set. There are times I already know what songs some people will ask. For example, I know YOU want Madonna and Lady Gaga. You know I will always play it for you. My favorite ones are the people that come up and request some 90s Hip-Hop and Neo-Soul music. It puts a big smile on my face. I don't sell out. Just because you drop a $20 doesn't mean I will play Stanky Legg.

La Cutie: Hahahaha, you and every other DJ on the island know what I love and I do appreciate it. How do you keep your music collection up to date?

DJ Sho: I spend lots of money each month on online subscriptions to music websites. I actually pay for my music. Sometimes I get my music from other DJs (thank you DJs Flip, Elixir, CrisQ, and especially Mike D).

La Cutie: Hell yeah! I love it when Djs post or give away their music or music mixes as you do on your blog. Do you sometimes miss the good old vinyl records?

DJ Sho: All the time. It has very distinct sound compared to using a laptop. The bass has a little more kick in it. Also, can't forget the "static" noise. I do try to bring vinyl as much as I can when I do more of the old skool type of gigs. I believe any beginning DJ should always start learning with vinyl.

La Cutie: Which means when you spin, you use a Laptop and Vinyl?

DJ Sho: Yeah, I go back and forth.

La Cutie: Respect. Where can we find you spinning during the week?

DJ Sho: Well, usually on Fridays I am at various clubs. Sometimes I spin for Flash and Mattyboy productions at Apartment 3, sometimes Oceans808, and a hand full of other venues around the island. On Saturdays, I'm the resident DJ at Rumours nightclub and on Sundays you can check me out at Red Lion Waikiki. I fly up to the Bay area every couple of months or so and spin up there and also at the San Jose area.

La Cutie: What are you doing when you're not spinning at an event?

DJ Sho: I'm usually organizing music. I'm still sorting thru gigs and gigs of music. Or you can find me at Jellys looking for some vinyl. I can spend hours there and not even realize it.

La Cutie: I hear that you're also a student, is that true?

DJ Sho: Yeah, that’s right. I'm studying for Bachelor's degree in ICS. Haha, I know, I’m a nerd. I also fix computers at my day job.

La Cutie: Nerds are cool these days! Are you the type of nerd that drinks while you're spinning?

DJ Sho: Occasionally. I may have a drink or two while I’m spinning. I don't like getting wasted. It's not my thing. Just enough to get in a good mood and really get into the music.

La Cutie: What is your favorite drink? Any bad memories from drinking too much while DJ'ing?

DJ Sho: I guess I would have to say right now my favorite drink is a toss up between Stoli Vanilla & coke and Grey Goose red bull. I can't really recall doing anything terrible while being drunk and dj'ing. Or maybe I just don't remember. lol. I guess I just don't like getting too drunk. I don't like the hangovers. Also, it doesn't look good if the DJ is too wasted to simply blend two songs together.

La Cutie: True that! Switching gears: If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?

DJ Sho: Wow, great question. There are so many names running thru my mind. But I would honestly have to have to say, even though it may be the most common answer, Michael Jackson. I would tell him that he is hands down the greatest musician ever. The man knows music like no other. He knows what he wants and pursues it till he achieves it. I would tell him that even though many had criticized his style and innovations. It is those risks he took that made him the greatest. I try doing the same with me dj'ing. I try experimenting with different mixing techniques. I want to be known for my own ways and techniques and not be categorized as being another typical DJ.

La Cutie: Beautiful answer! How have the people around you, family and friends, reacted to you becoming a DJ?

DJ Sho: My mom supports me all the way. The rest of my family knows I’m a DJ and they also love it. As a matter of fact, my grandmother actually bought me my first set of turntables as a Christmas present. The best Christmas present ever! All my friends know I DJ. Actually, most of my friends are DJs. lol.

La Cutie: Again, having a family is a blessing and even better when they support your dreams, passion and success.

DJ Sho: Definitely.

La Cutie: Does your family believe that you can SMASH IT UP on March 26th?

DJ Sho: They believe it and I believe it. I just hope the crowd is ready for it.

La Cutie: Well Mr. Sho, we belive it too!  Finish us off with some shoutouts.

DJ Sho: I would like to say a big thanks to my family for always supporting and believing in me. I want to say thanks to Kevin Nakasone (DJ Dream) for teaching me the true art of mixing, DJ MikeD for introducing me to the scene here in Hawaii, DJ BigJohn for taking me under his wing and dropping a great deal of knowledge on me, the homies of Music Unlimited, the legendary DJ Qbert, and the countless DJs who keeps me on my toes and inspire me to keep rocking the turntables like there’s no tomorrow. Lastly, I want to thank you Ana for giving me this opportunity to spin at Smash It Up and the rest of the DoSomethingTonight family.