This week we bring you one of my favorites, Mr. DJ Evil One.  I’ve had the pleasure of seeing DJ Evil One numerous times over the past couple years, and each time I do, I get a better sense for how truly awesome this guy is.  Evil One is the guy that everyone knows and everyone wants to hang out with, because he’ll show you a better time at your respective club than you have ever had anywhere else in the world.  Your liver might hate you the next morning, but your ears will be screaming for more.  Have a read and follow the links at the end of the page to learn more about DJ Evil One and where you can catch him DJing next.

Tells us about yourself, how did you break into DJing?

I was always fascinated by the MC/DJ combo in hip-hop and wanted to be that guy behind the turntables rocking the party.  At the same time, I always wanted to be a drummer, but my parents wouldn’t let me get drums so as soon as I was off at college I needed to get hands on with music as soon as possible.

I’m sure people want to know, how did the name Evil One come about?

Spend one night out on the town with me, and you’ll understand.  Evil One isn’t a human being; he’s a near death experience.

What is life like for a DJ in Portland?

The life of a DJ in Portland is actually kind of rough.  Portland is an acoustic guitar town.  The DJ is more or less an afterthought, so it took tons of hard work to gain respect and recognition there.  Portland is also a city that’s really focused on bars and pubs, people don’t really go out to dance so much.  With that said, I’m a resourceful kind of fellow, so I did my best to make the most out of the situation.  Nike and Adidas are both based there, so the key is to find different avenues and make the most of them.

How did you decide to make the move to LA?

I had really accomplished all there was to be done in Portland.  The market there can only bear so much, so it was time to move on to the next challenge.  I look at DJing as a part of the big picture for all that I want to accomplish.  It’s a vehicle.  In Los Angeles, I’m surrounded by like-minded DJs.  They have the kind of careers I want to have, and I wanted to be a part of something bigger.

You have been a part of some pretty awesome nights in LA, especially at The Dime.  Who are some DJs or artists you have been able to spin with that you never thought you would even ever meet?

The fact that I’m friends with people that are as talented and accomplished as Steve1der, Cheapshot, Adam 12, StoneRokk or DJ Spider is what keeps me going.  I think the all time highlight was doing an impromptu set with B-Real from Cypress Hill at Adam’s night AFEX though.  It was one of those moments where you’re so in awe of what’s happening it feels like you are watching it from the outside in.

Who’s better looking, you or DJ-R?

JR will tell you he’s better looking, but he’s colorblind.  He’s better looking if you’re into Falcons.  I find that 9 times out of 10 though, women will tell you they’d prefer to be all up on my man sweater.

I understand you are now working with Anjulie from Canada, how did you get hooked up with her?

I’ve had a long association with White Shadow, who has gone on to do incredible things with his life.  With that said, he’s always looked out for me and has put me up on a lot of opportunities, Anjulie being one of them.  I got a call to go meet up with her and see if we had any chemistry, and sure enough, we did.  She’s an incredible artist, incredibly passionate and I think we both bring a lot to the table in all areas.

Any shows or tours coming up with her?

Tons and tons of shows coming up.  Her single, “Brand New Bitch” is already one of the biggest songs of the year in Canada, so we just wrapped our first excursion up north.  As soon as I get back in the states I got an email letting me know we’re going back

If your beard could talk what would it say about what you’ve been able to accomplish so far?

My beard would tell me to continue looking forward.  Everything you accomplish is in the past.  Learn from the experience and do it even better next time.

Let’s say you somehow transformed bodies with David Stern and all of the sudden you are stuck in federal mediation trying to solve the NBA lockout.  What would DJ Evil One do to solve this problem?

I’d get both sides together and say: “Look, our nation is in the middle of a terrible recession, and having millionaires argue with billionaires over how to split up billions of dollars while thousands of team employees and arena workers along with local economies suffer is absolutely disgraceful” and force both sides to meet in the middle between the past CBA and the current proposals.

Where are you from?

Portland, Oregon.  503.  At the core of who I am, is the boy from Portland.  No matter how long I live elsewhere, I am an Oregonian.

Residencies?

San Diego, LA, Vegas, Portland, Seattle, KC, Chicago, Milwaukee, DC, Iowa City & many, many more.

Current Projects?

Touring with Anjulie, remixing for Anjulie, touring as Evil One, breaking down doors, breaking the law.

Favorite track on your iPod?

Action Bronson “Brunch”

Worst track out there today?

Whatever hip-hop dance move song is currently in rotation.

Where do you play in Chicago?

Roof at The Wit.  I’ve also played Sub51, Lumen, Manor, Rino & other assorted spots.

What do you love about Chicago?

The people.  Chicago reminds me of that incredibly beautiful girl that doesn’t know how incredibly beautiful she is.  Also, the train, sports, the food and the booze.

Favorite food spot in Chicago?

Superdawg.  Oh wait, I don’t eat red meat anymore…Hub51.

If you weren’t DJing you would be…

A journalist.

What do you love about being a DJ?

My favorite thing in the world is music, so getting to play music for a living is a dream come true.

What do you hate about it?

I don’t hate anything about it; it’s the best job in the world.

Craziest story from a night DJing…

I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.

Piece of advice to a young DJ starting out?

Find a balance between learning the craft and learning the business.  In this day and age, there are a lot of tools available to the upcoming DJ that weren’t in the past.  Some of those help give you a head start, some of which might actually end up setting you back.

With that said, make sure you find a mentor who has been in the business for a while who can show you the ropes.

DJing to you is…

An art and a business, which I work every day to find the right balance between the two.

Music today is…

Both better than ever and worse than ever.  Gone are the days of the classic album that you can listen to straight through with no fast forwarding.  But…I feel like the fact that the internet has made music so accessible has made people aware of so many different genres and artists that otherwise would have been buried by the industry.

Biggest influence growing up as a DJ?

DJ Jazzy Jeff, MacGyver, Clyde Drexler & Victoria Secret Catalogues.

What’s the one thing we have to know about DJ Evil One?

Check out my website: www.djevilone.com

Also check out…

DJ Evil One On Twitter

DJ Evil One On Facebook

Check out the author of this post, DJ Bomber, on Twitter