A Conversation with DJ Doctor Jay
We recently had a conversation with multi-talented DJ Doctor Jay. We talked about his early life, music career, inspiration and particularly about his show the Move Somethin’ Mixshow. Check it out.
Twist Online : First of all please introduce yourself to our readers.
DJ Doctor Jay : Hi everyone, I’m DJ Doctor Jay. I’m a native Californian, but I’ve lived in Las Vegas, Chicago, and now New Jersey — about an hour west of New York City.
Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
DJ Doctor Jay : I’ve always been a music fan. In college I had a short stint as a broadcasting major and thought I’d host my own radio show. I didn’t think I would do radio or music as a career but I always had that interest. I grew up listening to Power Tools on Power 106 in Los Angeles and had always liked that format.
Twist Online : Tell us about the Move Somethin’ Mixshow?
DJ Doctor Jay : The idea behind the Move Somethin’ Mixshow is to expose new demographics to the genres I enjoyed in my formative years– namely house and hip hop. When I got to college I dabbled a bit on the decks at fraternity parties and learned from our regular DJ. House music was huge in SoCal at that time — Richard Vission, Bad Boy Bill, and others. And all the while G-Funk was at its height, still some Miami bass music found its way into parties. We also put some jungle and drum and bass in the mix too– Aphrodite, Goldie. So, the mixshow is about bringing back to light some of those underappreciated genres as well as highlighting new tracks that are charting on Beatport.
Twist Online : What kind of response you have received from the release?
DJ Doctor Jay : Younger hiphop heads have taken to it. When I play DPG, DJ Quik, Suga Free, or Above the Law out here, it gets people talking, asking who that is. Is that really Tupac spitting verses? People know Eazy, Cube, Dre, Snoop but there’s a whole world of underground and underappreciated west coast hip hop I try and expose my fellow New Jerseyans to. They’re also getting to know Jack and his groove with all the house I’m playing.
Twist Online : Are you working on any new project?
DJ Doctor Jay : Nearly 5 years ago I produced a handful of drum and bass tracks. More jump-up style with hip hop lyrics, kind of influenced by Aphrodite’s Urban Jungle album. I have one of those tracks on Bandcamp right now, and in the months to come I will be working on more. As the Move Somethin’ Mixshow takes off I’ll be able to dedicate more time toward that.
Twist Online : What’s the best part of being a DJ?
DJ Doctor Jay : Since I’m transitioning to being a radio DJ, I am particularly enjoying when listeners tell me that they haven’t heard a track in X number of years and it took them back. Gave them all the feels. They remember exactly where they were and who they were with, and so on. These strong associations of particular songs and life events is powerful. I like my role in facilitating those good vibes for listeners.
Twist Online : What attracts you more, performing on stage or working in studios?
DJ Doctor Jay : At this stage in my life… I mean I’m close to 40 and in a demanding career– I am really enjoying the studio time. My late nights and early mornings in the club are well behind me!
Twist Online : What’s your favorite music genre?
DJ Doctor Jay : That’s a tough one– I love my house and hip hop. Hip hop was my first love, but for now I will say house. Classic house, deep house, electro, progressive, hard house… it’s all good and liable to spun on the Move Somethin’ Mixshow!
