AJb

Hank

Robynn

Rawman

AJb

Therapeutic breaks and bass for the mind, body and soul
NAME: Anthony Baraceros
How would you describe yourself? All over the map
How would you describe your art? Funky bass driven beats for the people
How is your art connected to where you live/How has your art changed/developed over the years? Diverse Landscapes=Diverse Soundscapes
What's one item you'd never leave home without? Watch (time is precious)
Who or what has influenced your art? Bass
What's your favorite item of clothing? Sneaks
Name one thing you'd never wear. Hat (my head is HUGE and I hate hat hair)
Why is art important? It makes you see the beauty in the ordinary
What makes you happy? Family, Friends and a good tune

Hank

Calling the SF/bay area home, HANKtheGUYwithRECORDS has been playing for about 5 years with some serious growths. His first real discovery of mixing actually started when about 20 years ago as he found his way into the world of breaking (break dancing). This was when he got his first mixer, 2 tables, and a feel for music and dancing. Not really matching beats at this point he made electro tapes to dance to that slammed the cross fader into the next track. Since then he has found himself in the all genres of the dance scene. When he discovered house/techno, he knew this was going to be a long loved relationship.

In his beginnings playing records, he would mix together all types of crazy tracks focusing more on trance and breaks. He would always manage to drop in something completely unexpected, such as an 80's track or movie sound bite. At first a bit sketchy, but with his continued playing he has found a way to work together some of the last tracks most would ever consider. He spins everything from breaks to house to D&B, and mixes it all up sometimes. He has a very broad collection of vinyl, finding many of his tracks in clearance shelves, or garage sales, very random places most wouldn't expect to find good tracks. His skills have grown and become very refined creating a sound very unique, and very danceable. "It takes you on a journey" is a comment you will hear frequently from those enjoying his sets, as will you also see many smiles.

A party should be free anytime you can make it so. This is one of his strong beliefs about parties. Also understanding the benefits of being able to pay and be paid, he has played for many different promotes and parties. He currently has his own monthly party, SERENDIPITY. Free, outdoors, in the sunshine every third Sunday of the month you can find HANK and friends gathered out on treasure island in the SF bay. This is one of the greatest free outdoor parties in the area. This being the third year of this party offers many good memories, and many good dj's, always making opportunities for the local up-an-coming dj's. A nice party, a good dj, and a smile or two.

Whenever you get the chance, or are in the SF/bay area, be sure to contact HANK, to see what's going on, perhaps play a party with him, regardless, get in touch if you are going to be in the area....it is always worth while. 

Robynn

It was the years of listening to non-mainstream radio stations that truly influenced the style that DJ Robynn spins
today. Already exposed to a variety of music through her parents (jazz, rock, funk, R&B), the non-mainstream radio stations introduced her to early electronica and the old skool hip-hop. It was through this exposure that she along with her brother was driven into constant search for the "sound." Recording hours off the radio, haunting record stores and later websites, and underground parties (kudos to Mr. Fives), there was always the need to find the DJ, the record, the tape, the CD with the "sound." Finally, the search as lead her spinning and the art of turntablism - - in other words the search lead her to creating her own vibe.

Encouraged by her brother Alaric and clubbing buddies and music aficionados, Carlos M. & Daniel T., Robynn delved into the world of spinning in late 1999. The search for the "sound" was kicked up to the next level, with the new quest being vinyls, vinyls that moved not only Robynn, but her listening audience. DJ Robynn's spinning flava' is heavy with 2-Step and 4-to-da-floor/Underground Garage, and represents the mixture of the music from her youth. She is not restricted to one genre, and has been known to mix Bubba Sparxx with Mark 'Ruff' Ryder, followed by Digital. She also has a huge love for Todd Edwards and has been known to do entire sets of nothing but him. She's not afraid to play something different, mix it up or stray from the expected. And though she's been told scratching is only for hip-hop, she WILL attempt to drop in a trick or two with her 2-Step and 4-to-da-floor vinyls.

Robynn currently belongs to the female DJ collective Witches' Brew and is a resident for Free-Flo Fridays and OxygenBreaks.

Rawman

At first I wanted to be a scratch assassin, cutting over hiphop and electro trax. Djs inspired me anytime they flipped the script with new tricks and techniques. I stocked up on records at Lazy Eddie's in Berkeley, and when it folded found discount stores elsewhere. In most of my dj sets you will hear 25 cent records being played. Then came drum-n-bass... I heard some crazy stuff, but didn't know what to buy in the record stores, and most of it sucked. Where could I find the real good stuff?

KALX exposed me to a whole record library rich with music. Sutekh and Nommi showed me the way at the electronica show and tell session in 1999. My ability to find and select quality records in different genres snowballed, thanks to KALX record reviewers, djs, and hours of listening. Armed with research, I could make more targeted purchases. At the same time, I expanded my knowledge, love, and appreciation for all kinds of music. And it was easier to buy quality drum-n-bass.

Blend it. Juxtapose it. Transpose it. Sample it. Live, or programmed. As a dj, I am an artist. Collage is art. My goal is to add bounce to your step, a smile to your face, a nod to your head. How's my driving?

Acknowledgement to the DJ's who have inspired me with their imagination and execution: R.A.W., Radar, J-Rocc, Mixmaster Mike, Shadow, Cheb-i-Sabbah, Rob Swift, P. Trix, Quest

As for the artists and producers who inspire me... check my playlists.