DJ Dino

Click the 2/19/12 Stream button to listen to the recorded interview on Living Fancy Radio, which took a look @ DJ Dino and his life behind the music. - GVB Radio.com

When did you get started?
I have been DJing for about 5-6 years now, but only about 1 year in the club scene. I started out mostly DJing for myself, friends, and family; and mostly using the turntables for producing. I got into the club scene because I use to be a club promoter and I knew a lot of people, so I figured I would use my connections to get gigs. Once I started more and more people told me they thought I was really good, and how refreshing it was to have someone that doesn’t just play all the same stuff all the time. So I figured I was doing something right, and here we are today ready to take over the world!

How did you get your DJ name?
The way I got my DJ name was one day while a friend and I were mixing we started to talk about DJ names and how some of them are so corny, and how we did not want to be one of those DJ’s with a corny name. So we thought about cool names we could have, but in the end we realized that our name’s is who we are, and I have always felt that no matter what I do I must stay true to myself, and success will ultimately come. So why change it. My real name is Dino, so DJ Dino it was!

What equipment do you use?
I use a pair of 1200 Technics Turntables, Serato Scratch Live digital DJ program, A Pioneer DJM-400 Pro Mixer, Wireless Microphone, and a pair of Mackie SRM-450 speakers

How are you different from other DJ’s?
I believe what sets me apart from other DJ’s is that I am not afraid to fail! I will try things that other DJ’s just wouldn’t do because they like to play it safe and they aren’t sure if the crowd would like it or not. When a DJ thinks like that, is when we have what I like to call “the broken record effect” in the DJ industry. That is when you go out to clubs and no matter what club you go to, you hear the same thing playing over and over and over. Also I believe what sets me apart from other DJ’s is my love for music, I know all DJ’s should love music, but I really, really love music, like if music were a girl I would marry that chick.

What has been your favorite experience so far?
Tell you the truth I’m still living in the moment, like every single time I am DJing in front of a crowd I love it, I still get excited like it was the first time. Something about people enjoying themselves because of you really makes it worth it. I do this for the fans, but also I do it for myself because I truly enjoy this.

How is the digital transformation in the industry affecting you as a DJ?
I know a lot of DJ’s say that it is a bad thing and that it takes away from the real art of DJing, and I totally respect that. But I believe that the new digital transformation is the best thing for DJ’s, it allows us to do things we would of never done other wise. Not mentioning the fact that we don’t have to hall around crates and crates of records to gig’s any more.

Speaking of records, do you remember the first vinyl you ever bought?
The first vinyl I ever bought was the Michael Jackson Dangerous album, the reason being that I just really liked the artwork on the cover and I was a MJ fan. I remember at the time I couldn’t afford turntables so I would just buy records that looked cool, to remind me that one day I would be able to spin those records.

How do you decide what music to play during your sets?
It is all on the crowd, I know some DJ’s like to create there set list before their gig’s and just play right down the list, and if that works for you then that’s great. But I can’t do that, I have to be into my mix, and really feel the energy from the crowd to create a good set. I come with an idea of what the crowd might like, then once I am there I am just along for the ride like every one else.

Where do you see yourself in 2020?
In 2020 I see myself being a household name as a DJ in the club scene, along with working with artists, and performing live in concerts around the world. I know I am not the best DJ in the world right now, and that I have a long way to go. But I know for sure I am one of the most hard working DJ’s, and that I will make it to the top with no doubt, because I love what I do way to much!
- Lilan from LK Management