Music
Press
MUSIC NOW
MUSIC INTERVIEW:
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, no, It’s DJ Clark Kent
Published: February 7, 2007 11:31 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior
(Juniorscave.com)
PHOTO CREDIT:Brian DePristo
Brian DePristo, a Producer, Remixer, and Artist, is one of those rare gems that don’t come around very often. His style has been described as enlightening "with a hypnotic musical roller coaster with cross genre sound blending and a kaleidoscope of visual effects". Brian, who goes by the DJ name of Clark Kent was born in Damascus, Maryland, USA, was inspired as a teenager by Techno, Rap and Rock music. He also enjoyed studying the Modern Arts. Brian was generous enough to take the time to do an online interview with us at Juniorscave.com’s Music Now format. Here is this interview--
MUSIC NOW: Please introduce yourself to our audience?
Brian DePristo: Hello, my name is Brian "Dj Clark Kent" DePristo.
MUSIC NOW: Present your music style.
Brian DePristo: I have studied all the genres of Electronic Music from minimal techno, to jungle, to hip hop. So respectively my sets have changed styles throughout the years to keep up with the trends of the times. In the past, I have performed with Bands, done Live Pa's, and spun original Dj sets. Currently, I am showcasing a Breaktrance set in support of my single "LXD" that is receiving highly respected reviews.
MUSIC NOW: Your best played vinyl list.
Brian DePristo: A Recorded Studio Demo 2001 called Symbiant:
1. Simple Things Pt 2 by Dirty Vegas
2. Do you know Squarepusher by Squarepusher on Warp Records
3. M3L7 by Brian DePristo & Robot Fury feat Sage Jafar on Dartainian Music
4. Social Skillz (Rmx) by Datcyde on Taciturn Records
5. Florida (AK1200’s Epic Lounge Mix) by AK 1200 on Hallucination
6. Papa New Guina (Jungle Remix) by Unknown Artist
7. White Label by Unknown Artist
8. White Label by Unknown Artist feat Jill Scott
9. Screwball by Total Science on Metalheadz
10. Migraine (Special) by Datcyde on Taciturn Records
11. Up All Night Remix by John B on MetalHeadz
12. White Label by Unknown Artist
13. White Label by Unknown Artist
Recorded Studio Demo "Symbiant" can be downloaded here:
http://www.xfade.us/modules.php?op=modload&name=Downloads&file=index&req=getit&lid=12
MUSIC NOW: Describe your best party and why.
Brian DePristo: All of them are unique in their own way, but one in particular comes to mind...
Small Club in Georgetown 1998, one of my first performances, no more than 250 people, the whole place erupted with energy after I perfectly drop Intergalactic Planetary by the Beasties. People were so overwhelmed they ran in a big circle past the DJ booth and screamed with joy. It was a Great Night!
But honestly, some of best parties for me are the ones that I'm not performing at and being inspired by someone else's craft. I am big believer in sometimes the teacher can be taught by the student.
MUSIC NOW: Explain why you decided to become a DJ.
Brian DePristo: I love watching people having a good time.
MUSIC NOW: Philosophy of music and your craft/art:
Brian DePristo: Take your audience out of there space, take them to a different place, make them forget about there worries and strife. Visuals, vibes, and beats oh my!,
With a great vibe, and you can transport your audience anywhere. And if the vibe is not there when I step on stage... I blame the act before me... just kidding!
MUSIC NOW: Do you prefer to work with synthesizers or on your desktop?
Brian DePristo: I use synthesizers, computers, and turntables to create music. They all have a place in creating music. With all these mediums, including MP3's and CD's, I can finish a track in a night and play it out the next day. They just did not have that kind of Technology in the late 70's, all they had were turntables.
MUSIC NOW: When you are creating a new track, do you think at the reaction that people might have listening to it or just at the reaction that you get in that moment?
Brian DePristo: When I create music and art all depends on the piece, LXD was based around my newborn son, so I was definitely in the moment, and Drum + Cello was molded to be a crowd pleaser.
MUSIC NOW: Talk about your latest gig around the world, about your public and fans.
Brian DePristo: I'm playing the Millennium Music Conference Feb 16, Winter Music Conference March 26, and Baltimore Music Conference with dates to be announced. Regarding my fans, I would not be doing this if it was not for them, and I'm always thankful for their continued support. And to my biggest fan, my wife, I love you.
MUSIC NOW: Music and your preferred colors.
Brian DePristo: To me, colors are boring by themselves, colors gain life after they are put together...for example, Black and white, camouflage, pastels, and tie dye, by themselves those colors would be lonely, but after you put them together they take on a whole new entity.
MUSIC NOW: Music and fashion.
Brian DePristo: Music and fashion go Hand and Hand, It's good to change your look up occasionally, and it makes you feel good too.
Keep it Fresh!!
MUSIC NOW: Explain, describe what music is. Imagine to describe, talking to a little child!
Brian DePristo: Music is life, it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside . Music can touch your soul, and makes you shake your booty.
MUSIC NOW: Your friends around the world, crew, most interesting Club, the peoples you thank on your records.
Brian DePristo: My love goes out to my Family, Friends, Fans, and Everything Undiscovered. And a BIG Shout-out to Mr. Junior Davis and everyone at Juniors Cave, Cheers!
MUSIC NOW: Message to everyone:
Brian DePristo: www.myspace.com/djClarkKent
www.Xfade.us
"LXD" produced and performed by Brian "Dj Clark Kent" DePristo in Stores Now.
WEB SOURCE:
www.Xfade.us
- Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
"...Saturday wouldn't be the same without something completely danceable, ‘Dark Matter’ provided that in spades. Brian Depristo brought his crew from Portland and the surrounding Baltimore area to lay down some stylish turntablism and the mix mastery was accompanied with an equally talented M.C. ." - Emergenza Festival
Discography
Albums:
2015- U Mad Bro?! - Ravesta Records
2015- P.A.M.F. - Renegade Alien Records
2015- Slow Funk Scratch- Renegade Alien Records
2007- Reflections - Beatboy Records/Absolute Recordings
2006- LXD - Beatboy Records/Absolute Recordings
2004- DePristo and the Sandman - s/t (ltd edition 100)
Mixtapes:
2015- New Best EDM 343
2015- New Best EDM 333
2009- New Best Out
2009- #13
2008- New Best Out
2003- Indulgence
2002- In the Mix
2002- Symbiant
2001- One Nation under a Groove
2001- Progressive Sounds of Dartainian
2000- Dartainian
Compilations:
2006- Winter Music Conference Compilation
2004- Ultrastar, Beautiful Abstractions Limited Edition
2003- Promo Only, Alternative Club Series
Photos
Bio
DJ PRIEST (born Brian DePristo,1976), is a Maryland-born electronic and hip hop musician whose work is often called "breakbeat" or "trip hop". He is a dj and producer that has toured the East Coast crossing electronic sounds and sampled beats with live musicians.
Touring with bands lead to Brian's remix of Drum and Cello that has sold thousands and received FM radio play. His original, Ghettotech, reached #1 on American Idol Undeground only after being on the chart for 5 weeks.
PRIEST has been featured on multiple compilations along side artists like Kraftwerk, Junkie XL, The Chemical Brothers, Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode), and Treach (Naughty by Nature).
In the late 90's, Brian could often be found, with a trunk full of underground mix cd's, on the road playing clubs, festivals, battling dj's, winning competitions, and gaining international recognition.
This lead to a performance at a very influential U.S. electronic music festival Ultraworld.
Recently, DJ PRIEST has been playing to packed venues while performing with popular artists such as Dj Craze, Bonnie X Clyde, TC Islam, Sam Sparro, Quiet Riot, Adam F, Dj Fresh, and Dj Icey.
Compared to Dj/Producer's Scott Storch and Jim Jonsin,
and Described as
"a fusion of progressive cross genre melodies that are guaranteed to relax the mind, stimulate the soul, and elevate your body to a whole new horizon."
"a Producer, Remixer, Artist, enlightens his audience with a hypnotic musical roller coaster with cross genre sound blending and a kaleidoscope of visual effects, this is one experience that satisfies all listeners"
Links
