DC’s DJ Trayze has been making waves for quite some time. From advancing the craft through his innovative blend of turntablism and party-rocking to solo and collaborative production efforts, his impact and appeal are far-reaching. Incredibly humble and madly in love with the game, Trayze is rare find in an age where ego and mega-stardom have become all too common. His talent is undeniable, and his work ethic inspirational. I was able to speak with Trayze shortly before he flew to Baku to rep for the USA at this year’s Redbull Thre3Style tournament. (NOTE: Trayze has advanced to the Red Bull Thre3Style World Finals which take place today at 4PM EST in Baku, Azerbaijan. Get full details HERE.)
1.
Trayze! The ‘E’ is silent. Tell us a bit about yourself—when and where did you get your start?
Yes, the E is silent! Ha! People mess that up all the time, but I’m used to it. It’s definitely less and less these days though—guess I’m doing something right? I got my start in high school, in ’97 at age 13 (that tells my age… uh oh). I used to stay up late every weekend listening to live broadcast mixshows on local DC radio stations and was mesmerized by how the DJs mixed the songs together and scratched. I was instantly hooked. I learned how they were doing it (records, mixer, turntables), and saved up and bought myself some equipment. I worked pretty much every day after school and every weekend to spend every penny I had on records and equipment. My high school had a radio station at the time, and the rest is history! I’m just trying to be the nice guy that finishes first.
When did you first get involved with Thre3style? Were you involved with any kind of competitive DJing prior to entering?
I had submitted some really weak tapes to DMC in the late '90s, but nothing really came of that. I was more focused on clubs and party rocking then. I did a couple of amateur battles here and there over the years, mostly for fun. Thre3style picked me for their 2nd regional battle in DC in 2012. They held the first one in 2011. The whole Red Bull Thre3style experience has been so positive and rewarding for me over the last few years, just amazing! I’m really honored to be a part of such a talented community of artists and supporters!
Take us through your process for preparing a Thre3style set.
First I like to study my peers, and DJs that I look up to that are doing innovative things. I’m always trying to learn new techniques and push the technicality of my sets forward. I’m also making sure that I don’t accidentally ‘bite’ and existing routine. In the battle world, even if you came up with an idea independently, if someone else has already done it in competition, or showcase (like a video), then it’s a big no-no to copy a routine. I always want to come across as original as possible. Creating the set list and the order I play the songs is the most difficult part I’d say. I have a big list of mini-routines that I try to pick from, and then squeeze songs in-between those combinations and create a 15 minute set. I’ve done everything from full-set themes, to wordplay and toneplay, but the overall goal is to make sure that the set makes sense, and doesn’t go over the crowds head. I still have to pack enough excitement into it for the crowd to go nuts, and keep it technical enough to wow the judges.
Talk to us about your work with DC’s Beat Refinery—how has this shaped your approach to DJ’ing and production?
Beat Refinery has been really incredible for me. I’ve been involved with them since the very beginning, when Stylus Chris and Geometrix asked me to be a teacher back in 2010. Since then, I have been developing curriculum, writing and teaching classes, and learning a lot. I can definitely see a personal improvement in my own skills just from teaching for 4 years now. Its really rewarding to teach people about the culture in a way that really pays respect to the old school and focuses on skills.
You’ve been involved with a handful of really dope projects, namely Crafty Daggers, and Jumbotronics—who is involved, and what’s on the horizon for these acts?
Crafty Daggers is Stylus Chris, Harry Hotter, and myself. We are all DC-based DJs, and we started out as good friends before the music came together, so it’s a natural fit for us. We try to meet every Monday at my home studio and just work on fun groovy tunes together! We have been producing as a group for about 2 years now. So far we have a bunch of commercial projects under our belt, and have released a bunch of edits and bootlegs. Our first official label release is a remix for Fort Knox Recording’s artist Nappy Riddem, of their song “Rock Steady.” We are sitting on loads of original tracks that we are shopping around right now for the right label to release. Everything from deep, to disco, and in between.
Jumbotronics is a collaboration between Bonics (Pittsburgh/Philly, Wired 96.5, Wiz Khalifa’s DJ), Eggs Jumbo, and myself. It originally started out as just “tronics,” until Bonics brought Jumbo into the fold. Jumbo is just this awesome kid from Philly who makes amazing electronic beats. Bonics and I keep trying to get him to learn how to DJ, but he’s not that into it… oh well! We have a really natural collaboration and the stuff we are making is very future-bass. Between Wiz/Bonics touring schedule, radio, and my craziness, we haven’t worked on anything in a few months, but we have had huge support on the few tracks we’ve put out. Radio and record pools and all the DJs have really gotten behind the remixes and edits we’ve done, which is awesome! Shoutout to Bonics on tour right now, and my man Jumbo in Philly!
You’ve established yourself as a regional party-rocker. From bottle service spots to hip and trendy niche nights, you maintain a strong following—what keeps you fresh?
It’s a challenge for me, but staying fresh and fun is what keeps me motivated, and honestly, alive in the music world. I would get bored if I just played the same stuff over and over again. I take open-format very seriously. I can’t play just one genre in a set, and I love to switch up the tempo often. Since everyone is basically getting their music from the same sources, I make it a point to seek out really interesting, different sounds. I love infusing as much indie and underground beats into my sets as I can, and I think the crowds appreciate it too. I also make lots of custom edits, and I treat every DJ set as a performance.
I’ve noticed you’ve been switching time zones lately, touring the East Coast, West Coast, and the Pacific Northwest! Who did you get a chance to connect with on the road? Any memorable stories?
I have basically tried to roll a bunch of individual invitations into more extended trips. I’m actually from San Diego, and still have some family out there, so heading back west is natural for me. Portland is dope- EvilONE and Doc Adam have showed me a lot of love out there, booking me to do parties every time I come through town, like Tube and Jones. I lived in Seattle in '03-'04, too. I love it out there. I could move back in a heartbeat. I just did Q Nightclub in which was a blast—real proper dance clubs are the best! Kicking it with Marty Mar, Kutt, and Sean Majors was really fun. I do a bottle-service spot out in Bellevue called Parlor every time I’m out in the 206—peace to all the radio dudes out there too, and MackLong! I’m in a DJ crew/collective called “Integral DJs,” based out in Seattle, run by my dude Marc Sense- he brings me out there to do private events and such. The Seattle DJ and music scene is really rich. So much talent. So many really nice people—from Zack, to all the other 3style guys, to all my friends on radio, just a great place to be. Love to all those dudes!
LA is fun too! It all started with an invite from DJ City to come out and do some video taping and interview for their website and YouTube channel. I did the toneplay video out there, and did a couple of really dope parties! DJ City has showed me a lot of love, those guys are great. Awesome record pool and community they have built, mad respect. Critical Beatdown showed me love on the tour earlier this year—shoutout 2 Roial1 and DJ KU. There are lots of east-coast transplants in LA, like my man Ever-Ede- he throws this legendary '90s party called “SnapBack,” and I got to rock that when I was in town too- lots of fun! Peace to Myron and Stubbs, too! Late night Thai food FTW! Its crazy that all of our wives are registered nurses too! The nurse-DJ combo is killer! Speaking of east-coast transplants, got to kick it with Excel when I was there too. I look up to him as a DJ so much, he’s the model open-format dude that everyone wants to be like. Such a genuine guy and amazing DJ. Kids—if you’re listening—study that dude.
And speaking of Philly! The greater Philly area has shown me a lot of love, even when I’m not in Philly! It all started in early 2013 really, when I was up there for 3style finals. Everyone up there showed me a lot of love at the battle, and I made a bunch of friends that night. Royale, Bonics, Sat-One, Patrice McBride, Isaac Jordan, PHSH (Matthew Law), all those are great dudes. Philly has deep DJ history, and they are definitely keeping it 100 up there to this day. I try to bring them down to DC when I can, because its so close and I like to show love too! I know I’m forgetting lots of people- forgive me!
Been doing NYC a little bit here and there (shoutout 2 Jenny Blaze, Raize, MellStarr, etc., etc.), also lots of spots in VA—peace to CMONwealth, Beesus, everyone at Metro. I’d say my favorite spot to play out of town though is Pittsburgh, by far. Pittsburgh is like family to me, and has been since jump. Sooooooo many friends there. Like, people I would just get together with, not even on some music or DJ shit. It would be a few pages to name all my peeps up there, so I’m not gonna single any one out, but 412 you know who you are! The talent level there is unreal.
When it comes to RB3Style, favorite sets from this year (or past years)?
Favorite RB3 sets, this is just an all-time list, and not in any order: Petey C (2013), Four Color Zack (2012), BYTE, Marquinhos Espinosa, J. Espinosa, Scene, Flip (Lucky Bastid, Ireland), ESKEI83 2013.
Who inspires you? / Who is killing the game? / Who should we be on the lookout for?
Inspiration comes from lots of people and places- I love seeing new, and innovative styles and techniques. I’ve always looked up to guys like Enferno, A-Trak and Craze, Excel & Impulse, Stylus Chris, Geometrix. Those dudes are always killing the game on the production tip and of course party rocking, turntablism, etc. As far as music goes, I’m a fan of so many different styles right now—Kaytranada, Trippy Turtle, Disclosure, Sharam Jey, Jerome Price, Lenno, Anna Lunoe, The Knocks, Wax Motif, TWRK, ZHU, Panic City, Goldlink, Solidisco—I could go on and on. I like playing stuff that speaks to me personally. I don’t care if it’s hot or popular, I just like amazing sounds and grooves. I definitely have an ear for what’s next, and I try to play differently than everyone else. I try to play as much bubbling/underground stuff in my peak hour sets as I can. I like to look for weird shit on SoundCloud and haven’t really been looking on the blogs at all this year. If you really want to be super-forward cutting edge, be on the lookout for interesting stuff on there. That’s a good start!
One of your main monthly parties, No Static, been running for quite some time and have been written up in numerous nightlife and culture blogs—what makes these parties so special? How do you approach them from a programming and promotional standpoint?
No Static is an idea I had about a year and a half ago- I wanted to do a monthly party where I played really progressive open format and underground/indie tunes, and attempt to stay away from mainstream top40 as much as possible, if not completely avoiding it. I moved the party venue a few times, but eventually found it’s home at Penn Social in DC- shoutout 2 Evan, Paris, and Sara! They have been really awesome there with me, basically letting me run the show how I want. The party has evolved into an old-school night, just because it was the only format I could get EVERYONE to dance to. The crowds can be really polarized in DC in terms of music taste, so I found that classics are were the best way to bring all ages and colors onto the same dance floor. I can still play open format, but it just ends up being all throwbacks. I want to transition that back into better mix of more modern jams, but it’s a slow process. DC crowds are tough!
What’s it like DJing for the Nationals? What kind of stuff do you get away with playing, and what challenges do you face tailoring your sets to an inter-generational crowd?
Nats games are awesome! It’s such a great place to work, and a great team environment to be a part of. It also helps that the team is kicking ass on-field, so everyone on support staff is always in a good mood! I spin there on weekend home games with my Crafty Daggers partner Stylus Chris—he put me onto that like almost four years ago now. It’s a family crowd, so everything has to be pretty clean and friendly, but it’s fun to flex on the old school classics, as well as pop and indie stuff! I like mixing old and new as much as I can, so I can get really creative and get parents and kids grooving to the same sounds! We have actually sat down and come up with a bunch of blends and mashups to play in our sets that cater to everyone, which has been a lot of fun. We also edit some of the in-game music for the players as they walk up to bat, which is challenging. Making squeaky-clean French Montana edits for a baseball game is a daunting task!!
2.
As if you weren’t busy enough, tell us a bit about your radio mixshow!
Ah, radio. The gift and the curse. Radio is a dream come true for me. I was the kid that grew up on radio, so to finally be on radio (officially, with my own show) is so amazing. Cumulus Radio approached me back in April when they were starting the whole re-branding transition at WRQX. (we used to be a adult contemporary format, now top40) They wanted me to do a few weekly mixshows, and it finally popped off in the first week of August! I have had a lot of radio and production experience over the years, so it was easy to slide into a time slot with barely any notice. I thought it would be more restrictive, as far as playlist goes, but surprisingly, I get to play a ton of really cool stuff. I’m excited to play for such a huge audience, and spin my own remixes and edits. I am on DC’s 1073 every Friday and Saturday, at 12 Midnight! Shoutout 2 Gillette & Mel, mixshow team, and the whole station!
You’re a family man, Trayze. How do you keep the work-life balance? Any advice for DJs and producers out there navigating home life with regional and international ambitions?
Yes! Happily married for six years, and baby on the way! Work-life balance is challenging, but having a supportive partner and good extended family is key. My wife has a crazy schedule, too (she is an ER Nurse), so we both keep insane hours. I give her credit for much of my success. She has always been my greatest asset and harshest critic. It would be really difficult for me to do extended tours away from home, but I have been lucky enough to build up everything on my own terms, so I can keep the balance I need at home. I make my own schedule, try to bring her along out of town whenever I can, and we always make time for each other, when we’re at home. This is good advice for any relationship, not just one like ours, but you have to make time for each other and cherish that. Don’t let anything get in the way of that, including poor career moves, and you’re good to go. If your other half is supportive and understanding, enough sacrifice can be made on both sides to make it successful! I struggle with time management sometimes, between teaching, handling my own gig calendar, promotions, radio, remix/original production, editing, and baseball- but somehow I make it all work, and make time for family and fun! If you are getting involved in music for the love of it, and have enough passion, determination, and ambition, you’ll go far. Best advice I have heard is don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, and just focus on being the best you can be. KRS-ONE said it best: “Rely on talent, not marketing and promotion!”
You’ve been involved in music / DJ culture for nearly two decades—what direction are we headed? How do you feel about the emergence of “EDM festivals” and what does the future hold for open-format party-rock DJs in the age of ‘Jesus Pose’ DJ-megastars?
I practice my Jesus pose and hand hearts every day in the mirror. Sike, nah, but I like EDM. I’m not really into the hard angry stuff, but I really love the powerful, melodic sounds. I’m more partial to the trappy-underground-twerky-indie vibes. Festivals are cool. My homies from DC to BC throw this one in DC called Trillectro. Its an urban festival, rather than being way out in a field over a mountain, and you don’t have to sell a kidney to buy a ticket, so its really accessible for everyone to attend. They are really pushing the envelope with mashing EDM and hip-hop.
The artists that get booked at these shows aren’t getting booked to really “DJ" in the purest sense of the term. They are getting booked because they have a hit song or songs, or a crazy catalog of remixes, edits, etc. Its only natural that electronic artists become “DJs,” because it’s the most straightforward way to present their music to an audience. It always surprised me that a guy like Calvin Harris never does his vocals or keyboards live- it’s not that hard to set it up, and it would take the whole performance experience way beyond what is currently out there. There are very, very few DJ-artists out there that are really performing their beats live. The best one that comes to mind is Enferno. He has set the bar so high for guys like me. His ability to create music live, in a DJ-type setting is next-level. Nobody is really touching him right now.
Open format party rockers aren’t going anywhere. We can do so much more than the single-genre, focused guys can do, and I would say we have more fun doing it.
There’s no doubt you’re going to represent for the USA and do your thing in Azerbaijan. What can we expect from you in the months ahead?
Thanks! Yeah I’m super excited to hold it down for DC, and the USA! I have some surprises up my sleeve. I have been working on new routines all year, so the timing was perfect! After Baku, I have more tour dates in Philly and Boston, and probably another West Coast trip. Also… I haven’t officially announced this yet, but I got discovered on YouTube by this band called Plastilina Mosh—they are based out of Mexico. Imagine Daft Punk meets Beastie Boys, but in Spanish, and way funkier… and weirder. Haha! They are doing a big comeback show at this huge festival in Monterrey, MX called Pa’l Norte. They asked me to be in their band. I’m going to be on stage with them doing live turntablism, live keyboards, drum loops, scratching, etc. I am basically co-directing their show. We are headlining along side Foster The People, Chromeo, and Snoop Dogg, among others. I’m also doing a solo-set on Halloween at Pa’l Norte, and then my show with P. Mosh is on Dia De Los Muertos (November 1). It’s a two-day festival, 60,000 people, and I think there are like 25 acts. I am beyond excited for this. After Pa’l Norte, I hope to work on their new album with them, and tour some more in 2015 in Central and South America! On that note, I gotta start practicing my Spanish… (laughs).
Final words for readers and fans at DAD?
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the love and support! The emails, comments, and messages are really great! I love sharing music with the world, and I hope to do that for everyone for many years to come! You can keep up with me on my website, social media and all that! Be on the lookout for lots more videos from me, original music, remixes, etc! Thanks to DAD, the whole DMV, my Red Bull fam, Crafty Daggers, homies near and far, and my amazing wife, Morgan! There are so many artists I would love to work with, so if you’re reading this, don’t hesitate to send me music, or reach out for a collaboration!
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Additional Reporting on this piece came from DJ A-Ko. Be sure to check out DJ Trayze on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all of his Baku travels, and be sure to cheer him on in today's competition!
