On
the ones and twos with DJ FROZ1
Photo by Jessie Winslow
DJ: FROZ1
Real Name: Josh
Date Born: 10/20/85
Where Born: Danbury, CT
Where are you now?: 215
How long you been DJ'n?: Got my first
set of tables about 6 years ago, started taking it seriously
about 2-3 years ago.
Equipment you use: Technics 1200s,
Stanton SK-2f, MPC1000, SSL
Favorite DJ / DJ's: Double K, Jazzy
Jeff, A-Trak
Type of music you spin?: Old school
rap, Funk, Disco
Hardest thing about being a DJ?: Pleasing everybody.
Dealing with people who request commercial rap while I'm
playing funk. Drunk 20-somethings.
Photo by Jessie Winslow
Where do you prefer to perform…House Parties, Clubs,
Studio, Stage?: House parties are the most stress-free.
You can choose what you want to play and if people aren't
feeling it, too bad…you probably aren't a funky individual
anyway.
What do you think of Computer DJ's?: A lot of this
new technology can allow any joe blow with a computer to
be a DJ. BUT, if a person has put in the time to go out,
dig for records and build their collection, I can respect
a DJ who decides to mix using a computer.
Is a real DJ going on with two turntables?: If you
can make it work, then use whatever is best for you. When
I was first exposed to DJing, cd-turntables and mixing software
wasn't even available, so it was all I really knew and that's
what I am comfortable with.
Do you use any drum machines?: Not during a live
set, mostly for re-edits or making my own beats.
Do you find DJing gets easier or harder over the years?:
Practice makes perfect. Performing has gotten easier over
the years, but finding "new" music is hard. Finding
obscure breaks that bboys haven't heard already is a tough
task because these bboys fiend for new music just as badly
as any DJ. Living in philly doesn't help much either, as
theres so much competition when it comes to digging for
records.
Photo by Jessie Winslow
Where do you get your vinyl?: Everywhere. Record
stores, junk shops, thrift stores, trash cans, crackheads
on my street (haha), ebay if I absolutely need something,
garage sales, private collectors, record swaps/conventions…
etc. Collecting vinyl becomes very addicting, but I've calmed
down recently with my buying. I kind of lost focus with
DJing for awhile, and was becoming more of a collector,
which turned out to be bad $$$ wise.
To be a DJ you need to?: Have rhythm and be able
to count. Really, if you have those abilities, you can take
a shot at DJing. After that, be prepared to spend a lot
of time studying and understanding music.
How many times do you practice a week?: About once
a day during the week. Not much during the weekend.
Last time you spun?: Just practiced this afternoon.
What made you take up DJ'n?: When I was like 8 or
9 years old my neighbor's older brother used to sit us in
front of his turntables and just let us do whatever we wanted.
He didn't care how much we f'd up his needles/records and
looking back on it, I realize what a special thing it was
because I'll be damned if I ever let a 9 year old near my
records, let alone spin with them. But, I really looked
up to the guy and credit him with my interest in DJing and
all things musical. (RIP JRR)
Any last words?: Thanks to EKS and Brian for helping
me get my name out. Can't wait to actually do some events
and share the music I've found over the years.
Shout Outs… EKS, Black Out, Danny, Dong, Tom,
Trav, VC, WB, Babble-On, Pronoun, Rockwell, King Kev, Ritafine,
Paradise Movement, i-Contact, anyone keeping the funk alive.
FROZ1 thanks for the interview. Looking forward to you
DJ'n the next EKS event. I know you won't let down the BBOYS
and BGIRLS since you were once a breaker yourself. Keep
Kicking it bro...
