| |
DJ Life
Trance, Electronica, Progressive House
Avondale, Arizona, USA
|
|
|
Dj Life started into music at the age of 8 when his mother taught him how to play piano. As he grew up he ventured into other musical instruments including guitar, drums and as crazy as bagpipes! He started mixing in 1984 when he recieved a dual tape deck boom box for christmas. Since then his drive to mix sound and music has grown. He started spinning vinyl in 1994 using house and progressive trance in his sets. But, soon his
...
appitites grew and he felt that the elusive sound that he had been looking for in record shops was really inside himself and in 1996 he began to write and produce his own tracks.
Dj Life draws his inspiration from natural and mechanical sounds around him. One of his first tracks "U-505" (1998) was done entirely in sonar pings! His newest tracks Include "Rain" (2005), "Mystify"(2005), and "Racer XXX"(2005).
Currently he is working on two new tracks soon to be released "Kowloon" and "Slow Walk"! Look for their release on www.myspace.com/lmemusic!
As well as being a musical artist, Dj Life is a digital artist. He has done digital artwork for many musical artists such as Paul Van Dyk, Andre Tannenberger (ATB), and Bjork as well as for Cid X, and other friends. Visit their Myspace sites and see!
Dj Life's poetry can be read at poetry.com under the name Leif Emminger. His poetry has recieved international recognition and awards including Nominated poet of the year 2005 and recipient of the Editor's Choice Award 2005 from the International Society of Poets.
 More Less
|
|
|
1 pages:
Rylee
0a24c8e757a4ce79fa94a3866d26aca7
http://njdokj.info/826b0901ed8070a33cfcef5828606da2/0a24c8e7 57a4ce79fa94a3866d26aca7
http://njdokj.info/826b0901ed8070a33cfcef5828606da2/0a24c8e7 57a4ce79fa94a3866d26aca7
[url]http://njdokj.info/826b0901ed8070a33cfcef5828606da2/0 a24c8e757a4ce79fa94a3866d26aca7[url]
Monday July 28 2008 @ 2:42 am
heykiddego (Webmaster)
I love all your tracks DJ Life. I really FEEL them. Kowloon Days makes me feel like I'm in a completely different place. And I was listening to Rainy one day, which just happened to be Rainy. I suddenly realized how perfect a soundtrack it made to the day. It really captured the rainy-day mood very well.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 @ 4:39 pm
|
|
|
This interview was conducted by EDM Spectrum Team Member, Ashley, and was conducted via Instant Messaging.
EDM SPECTRUM:
ok... ya ready?
DJ LIFE:
shoot
...
EDM SPECTRUM:
so we see that you started into the music world at a very young age... is there anything else you'd like to tell us about how you got started producing electronic music?
DJ LIFE:
Well I started DJing when I was 20, mostly tinkering with a friends decks. Then got more into it but, I was having a hard time trying to find that one unique sound in the record shops. I finally decided to look into producing my own music and picked up an inexpensive program to get me started.
EDM SPECTRUM:
tell us what you used to use to produce and how you and your tools have grown over the years
DJ LIFE:
I started out using Magix 6, it's a good starter program but, limited. I moved up to Magix 7 deluxe, which offered 8 synthesizers to work with and that's what I've been using. Still it's not enough to feed the need so I picked up Reason 3.0 this morning online. Can't wait till it gets here! I'm currently looking at getting an external Synth to add a bit more of a personal feel.
EDM SPECTRUM:
Looks like you're going to be very busy soon.... that's always good to hear
DJ LIFE:
I'm looking forward to it!
EDM SPECTRUM:
So aside from tinkering on your friends tables... what and/or who inspired you to start getting into DJing and Producing?
DJ LIFE:
Man there is a lot... DJ Krush and DJ Dan but, Unionjack really turned me on to Trance and ambient music production. I still DJ when I can mostly in my room now but, have guest DJ'd around the world so, I can't say that I'm totally done with the decks.
EDM SPECTRUM:
Well that's good to hear too... maybe some of us will get to see you perform some day
DJ LIFE:
Maybe... I'm going to be in Africa next month.
EDM SPECTRUM:
haha Ok... I'll fly over and check ya out... ............ when I win the lottery
DJ LIFE:
Cool! Cape Verde Islands, sun and sand!
EDM SPECTRUM:
lol
Take me through the steps you use to produce a song... emotionally, physically, or whatever the case may be
DJ LIFE:
Usually it starts with something I'm humming (for days) and the thought it brings to mind. I.E. "Kowloon Days" started out in a Chinese restaurant. I had been humming a tune and this music came on in the restaurant. I wondered how I could put traditional Chinese music to a more modern sense. I remembered my days in Hong Kong and drew from that.
EDM SPECTRUM:
How did you come up with the name "Kowloon days"?
DJ LIFE:
Stanley Market is this rather out-of the-way open market in Kowloon. I started out wanting to make something a bit more progressive but, went towards ambient because the feel at Stanley Market is a bit more low key. I plan on working on "Kowloon Nights" which will be more progressive and I hope will capture the feel of the nightlife in Hong Kong.
EDM SPECTRUM:
Wow! That's pretty cool... can't wait to hear it
So what does this type of music mean to you personally?
DJ LIFE:
It's a source of balance in my life. I have a lot going, with working three jobs, and this is my corner of the world where I can find a bit of peace.
EDM SPECTRUM:
That's great! Seems to be that way for a lot of musicians... its good to hear that you make the time for this tranquility for yourself... what do you think your strengths and weaknesses are? Could be personally and/or musically
DJ LIFE:
Musically I would say that my only weakness is getting the melody right.
Personally my weakness is always trying to save the world.
EDM SPECTRUM:
lol
and your strengths?
DJ LIFE:
Hmmm... Patience and understanding
EDM SPECTRUM:
Two very good things to have
DJ LIFE:
Thanks
EDM SPECTRUM:
If you could recommend three songs to me... which three would you choose?
They can be your own... or other artists
DJ LIFE:
Billie Holliday: "The very thought of you"
James Brown: "Payback"
and UnionJack: "Water Drums"
EDM SPECTRUM:
Why did you choose those three?
DJ LIFE:
I believe in order to know where you are you should know where you come from. Billie Holliday reminds me of when music was innocent. James Brown reminds me that music can instill in us a range of emotions including Funk! And, Unionjack reminds me that even though music has evolved over the years it can still be innocent and bring out emotion.
EDM SPECTRUM:
If you had the opportunity to collaborate with one other artist, who would you choose and why?
DJ LIFE:
ATB. I think we think along the same lines.
EDM SPECTRUM:
Ah... a good choice indeed
Where do you see yourself in five years?
DJ LIFE:
Well I hope I've been picked up by a label by then and have a CD out.
EDM SPECTRUM:
We hope so too! Good luck and keep at it
DJ LIFE:
But, really I just do it for the music
EDM SPECTRUM:
That's refreshing to hear but we still hope for the best for you
DJ LIFE:
Thanks
EDM SPECTRUM:
No problem lets have a little fun now
DJ LIFE:
Ok
EDM SPECTRUM:
If you were stranded on an island and could have three things with you... what would they be?
DJ LIFE:
Hmmm.... would this include people?
EDM SPECTRUM:
Sure if you'd like it to... its your island that you're stranded on... you make the rules
DJ LIFE:
Well then... Carmen Elektra, complete works of Dylan Thomas, and waffles
EDM SPECTRUM:
Waffles!! lol! Awesome!! What kind? Homemade or eggo?
DJ LIFE:
Ooo...tough. I'll have to go with homemade.
EDM SPECTRUM:
But you can only have three things... which you have chosen... so you would eat these waffles with no syrup or butter?
DJ LIFE:
Hmmm... They're good with cheese.
EDM SPECTRUM:
Cheese?!?!?!?
lol I've never heard of that before!!!
DJ LIFE:
I'll have to milk Carmen and make cheese then
LOL
EDM SPECTRUM:
LMAO!!! niiiiice!
DJ LIFE:
Norwegians eat waffles with goat cheese and sherry. It's really good
EDM SPECTRUM:
lol... I'll take your word for it ... ICK!
So speaking of food... what's your favorite kind of food?
DJ LIFE:
Lebanese or Italian
EDM SPECTRUM:
Mmm Italian... yummy!! I've never had Lebanese
DJ LIFE:
I think you'd like it.
EDM SPECTRUM:
lol... well maybe I'll try it some day
what's your favorite quote?
DJ LIFE:
"For he who sheds his blood with me this day, shall be called my brother" - William Shakespeare
EDM SPECTRUM:
Very nice
If you could be someone or something for one day, who or what would you be?
DJ LIFE:
A Komodo Dragon.
EDM SPECTRUM:
oooh fun
What is the answer to life?
DJ LIFE:
42
LOL!!!
EDM SPECTRUM:
HAHAHA you're the first person who has gotten that!
LOL
DJ LIFE:
Thank you
EDM SPECTRUM:
*smile*
Ok... pick one....
This or that?
DJ LIFE:
Hmmm... I'll have to go with those there.
EDM SPECTRUM:
lol... fair enough
Cat or dog?
DJ LIFE:
Dog
EDM SPECTRUM:
Star wars or star trek?
DJ LIFE:
Star Wars. My favorite is "Triumph vs. the Star Wars Geeks"
EDM SPECTRUM:
lol
Peas or carrots?
DJ LIFE:
Peas
EDM SPECTRUM:
Ok now tell me the first thing that comes to mind when I say the next few words....
DJ LIFE:
Ok
EDM SPECTRUM:
Beat
DJ LIFE:
LOL!
Meat
EDM SPECTRUM:
LMAO
Money
DJ LIFE:
Honey
EDM SPECTRUM:
Soul
DJ LIFE:
Power
EDM SPECTRUM:
Watch
DJ LIFE:
Clock
EDM SPECTRUM:
Change
DJ LIFE:
Shape
EDM SPECTRUM:
First
DJ LIFE:
Last
EDM SPECTRUM:
Ok.... what is your biggest fear?
DJ LIFE:
My son dying before me.
EDM SPECTRUM:
Do you have any bad habits?
DJ LIFE:
Smoking
And I get moody sometimes
EDM SPECTRUM:
Eh... who doesn't
Who is your favorite cartoon character and why?
DJ LIFE:
Brak. Cause he's absolutely hilarious!
EDM SPECTRUM:
OMG I LOOOOVE BRAK!!! hahaha
hahaha I didn't really think that many people have heard of Brak
DJ LIFE:
I got the box set! and actually am watching it now!
EDM SPECTRUM:
awww man... i need to get that!! I could barely ever watch it cuz I was never home... now I don't even think they play it here anymore
DJ LIFE:
Yeah he only lasted a season or two.
EDM SPECTRUM:
People just don't get it... that's a shame
DJ LIFE:
Yep. Too bad.
EDM SPECTRUM:
Ok... just a couple more questions...
What advice do you have for other aspiring DJs and Producers?
DJ LIFE:
Follow your heart. Don't worry what others think, the music should be a part of who you are.
EDM SPECTRUM:
That is great advice... I'm sure they will be glad to hear it
And last but not least... what do you think about the EDM Spectrum? And is there anything you would change about it?
DJ LIFE:
I think Cid and Joel have really come together and brought something to the world that really helps out independent artists. I think that you have given it a bit more spice as well. As for changing it.... the colors and the layout hurt the eyes a bit, very drastic in contrast. But, I recommend it to all my friends who want to know what EDM is really all about!
EDM SPECTRUM:
awww... thanks for the kind words, sweetie... and most of all thanks for the support. It's been a pleasure, thank you for taking the time to let me interview you as well
DJ LIFE:
No problem, it was fun!
More Less
|
|
|
| |
