Our big little DJ town

There’s no doubt about it—Portland is a DJ’s town. One can catch a DJ live almost anywhere in town seven nights per week. The Vanguard got the chance to catch up with two of Portland’s most radical DJs to ask a few questions about the culture. In store are some great track recommendations, gear they prefer and some tips for anyone trying to break into the DJ world.

Ryan Organ hails from Canada.  A veteran DJ and promoter, he’s been going heavy and steady since age 16.  Organ and fellow DJ Monkeytek started an all-dubstep night called “Various” in 2006.  In the past five years, this monthly has grown to be the hands-down best night in town to catch the wobble, growl and high-pitched whirrs of the bass-heavy music.  Ryan is heavily connected to the LoDubs record label, managing designs and publicity. He is also the assistant label manager of

Offshore Recordings, a label that’s released some great drum ‘n’ bass records from a variety of acts including Clever, Alaska and Anemone. Check out Ryan Organ and other members of the Various crew on the first Saturday of every month at Branx.

Vanguard: What kind of music do you spin?

Ryan Organ: Lots and lots of things. Most things [are] under the electronic umbrella—jungle, house, dubstep, techno. On the flip, I love playing hip-hop/future beat sets with friends, with some funk and soul jams peppered in. It’s definitely more fun branching out and seeing what works.

V: Tell us about some of your favorite tracks—what do you love to play out?

RO:LFO – LFO (Warp), 2562 – Enforcers (Tectonic), Dynamix II – Just Give the DJ A Break (Suntown)

V: What kind of equipment are you using?

RO:Typically just turntables (Technics 1200s) and a mixer (usually Rane or Allen & Heath).  Sometimes we’ll use Pioneer CDJ’s at Various to test out new tunes with. Very occasionally, I’ll use Serato for making mixes at home.

V: Any tips for new DJs coming into the scene?

RO: Keep an open mind about everything—the music you play and the people you associate with.  Don’t get pigeonholed with one sound and drive it to death; explore genres and techniques you feel you don’t know very well. Familiarize yourself with where DJing has come from; keep learning and never limit yourself.  Lastly, don’t rely too much on digital DJ gear.

Bryan Zentz is a virtuoso of all things techno.   Producing and recording for over 15 years, he’s released records under several different monikers and labels, including Barada, Stare 5, Bryan Never and Intec, Disruptor, Primate Recordings and Plus 8 respectively. Check out the 2009 release “Midnight Teeth” on Plus 8 Records for some brilliant minimal techno sounds, including the track “Shadowtalk,” which is a favorite among DJs worldwide.  You can see Zentz live the first Wednesday of every month at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade around 9 p.m.

Vanguard: What kind of music do you spin?

Bryan Zentz:Mostly electronic dance stuff: techno, house music and everything that falls in between those two. I also play dub reggae, some indie, industrial and even some punk, metal and experimental music if the situation calls for it (or I can get away with it). My taste is all over the place, I guess. 

V: How about some of your favorite tracks—what do you love to play out?

BZ:Three classics from back in the day that I always return to: “Phylps Trak 2” by Basic Channel: This is one of the earliest and most influential examples of dub merging with techno—gritty, sparse and effective.  Basic Channel has influenced everything from minimal to glitch to dubstep. “Good Life” by Inner City: a true reminder that techno music started in Detroit, Mich. … While there is optimism in the lyrics, there is also a melancholic undercurrent, which captures the bleak and industrial side of Detroit with its deserted buildings, auto industry and vision of the future during the late ‘80s.  “Preacher Man” by Green Velvet: From the same mind (Cajmere) that brought you “Its Time for The Percolator,” this is a no-nonsense tough as nails Chicago classic that can easily fit into any house or techno set. 

V: What kind of equipment are you using?

BZ:For DJing? I prefer vinyl and turntables, but out of necessity I am finding myself playing more and more digital mediums: mainly CDs but sometimes Ableton Live. Vinyl will always be my favorite, though. I like the feel, the sound, and it’s an important part of dance music’s culture and legacy! 

V: Any tips for new DJs coming into the scene?

BZ:Know your music and its history. The more you know about where it comes from, the more you will understand what’s current and what’s coming. Be aware of the interaction between the DJ and the audience…DJing can be a unique balance of presenting your musical taste and selection while being mindful of what is working for the crowd you are playing for. It is very interactive in that sense, with the crowd and DJ feeding off of each other’s energy. ?