Just what kind of guest DJs are we booking at Qoöl? You can take it on faith that they sound darn good, but who are they really? Well, that's just what these probing interviews are for. And because DJs are what they play, we've got their top 5 track mini-charts as well. Read the words then stop by Qoöl on March 5 to hear the sounds!
RUCHIR
Qoöl: What's your favorite dessert topping?
Ruchir: Shamrock Shakes!
Q: Do you DJ left handed or right handed? How can you tell?
R: Right handed, because my left is always holding a cheeseburger.
Q: Got a lucky piece of clothing? Please explain your answer.
R: I have a long set of neck rings that I use to appear taller. It's a power thing.
Q: Chrome finish, or black?
R: Chrome. What is this, North Korea?
Q: We say tweeter array, you say...
R: Duodenum.
Ruchir's Top 5 Tunes of the Moment!
1. Hunter/Game feat Bajka - The Island (Baikal remix) - [Last Night On Earth]
2. Royksopp - Running to the Sea (Pachanga Boys remix) - [Dog Triumph]
3. Toky - About You (Hot Since 82 remix) - [Defected]
4. Canson - Ale La Hop - [Katermukke]
5. Safeword - You Can You Will - [Dessous]
One of these people is not Ruchir. Do not be confused!
ALEX BLACKSTOCK
Qoöl: What's your favorite dessert topping?
Alex Blackstock: Bourbon.
Q: Do you DJ left handed or right handed? How can you tell?
AB: I'm a southpaw! It's hard to say if it is the cause or the effect of learning on turntables, but I have more control in my left hand from manipulating the record platter on the left side.
Q: Got a lucky piece of clothing? Please explain your answer.
AB: I have a bear hat. I suppose it's not so much lucky as it is a trusted comfort item that I bring with me when things are about to get super weird. It's fuzzy and silly and reminds me to keep it real. By now its absorbed quite a bit of alkali dust and galactic karma that it deposits back into my hair when I wear it.
Q: Chrome finish, or black?
AB: Black like a cool, slightly damp, slab of charcoal.
Q: We say tweeter array, you say...
AB: Why tweet 'er when you can woof 'er?
Alex Blackstock's Top 5 Tunes of the Moment!
1. Ordinary Subject - Moments Like This - Cansons Charmed Mix - [Frieda Musik]
2. Jules De Pearl - Sparkle - Original Mix - [Moral Fiber]
3. Karu, Rush Arp - Airport - Original Mix - [Moral Fiber]
4. Damolh33 - Ascent - Original Mix - [Damolh Records]
5. Michael Mclardy - You Feel - Original Mix - [Highway 420]
Hello Alex Blackstock!
PETKO NIKOLOV
Qoöl: What's your favorite dessert topping?
Petko Nikolov: Berries. Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries (even though not technically berries). Simple and natural.
Q: Do you DJ left handed or right handed? How can you tell?
PN: Right handed because that's the hand that holds the iPod and clicks the mouse. Joking aside, DJing one-handed is like driving a manual car one-handed - it can be done but you'll most likely wreck. But whether there's a dominant hand when using both is actually an interesting question. When using the mixer, each hand performs the same functions - pushing faders, turning knobs. Working the turntables / CD players is a little different - the right hand mostly stays on the pitch control while the left nudges the platter, except when a right hand finger drags along the record's label or pinches the nipple (the center spindle of the turbtable for those of you reading this with confused / outraged expressions). When doing minor adjustments to the EQ or pitch that only require one hand while the other is free, I typically use my right hand. So there you have it - I DJ right handed.
Q: Got a lucky piece of clothing? Please explain your answer.
PN: Not exactly anything associated with luck. But I do have a major attachment to shoes. I have sneakers that I've worn to many memorable events in different cities and countries and they've served me well after many many hours of dancing, and so I associate them with those great memories more than any other piece of clothing. I have pairs of shoes in really bad shape after years of use that I will not throw away because of the special moments we've shared together.
Q: Chrome finish, or black?
PN: Black.
Q: We say tweeter array, you say…
PN:
Tweeter array;
stacks of bass bins.
Start the par-tay.
Petko Nikolov's Top 5 Tunes of the Moment! A stylistically varied unordered sampling of the more than 30 tunes that popped into my head...I listen to, collect, and play quality music across a wide range of electronic subgenres and this (very short) list shows some of the tips of the iceberg.
1. Vakula - Dream Drum - [Leleka]
2. Theo Parrish - Blueskies Surprise - [Trilogy Tapes, Sound Signature, Palace Skateboards]
3. Vondelpark - California Analog Dream - Robag's Habay Latoff NB - [Pampa Records]
4. Tr-Ack - Stay - Emanate Remix - [Mioli Music]
5. Mechaniker - Reben - [Supply Records]
Petko Nikolov, obviously right handed.