At the age of ten most of us spent our days playing video games, watching cartoons, and causing trouble. None of us had paying jobs or aspirations beyond watching Saturday morning cartoons. But one boy took his dreams in hand as he stepped forward to replace an absent DJ in a small Californian discotech. DJ Lynnwood, at the age of ten, started his path to fame with nothing more than a love for music and making people dance. Little did he know that this night would be the start of a twenty plus year career to include 6 CD's, a radio show at 14, and appearances in clubs and events across America. From a child's love of house music to a career in the industry today, DJ Lynnwood has and still remains a major part of the history and success of California's club culture and electronic music in general.

When and how did you get your first break in DJing?

Age 10, DJ at the club I worked at, as a dishwasher didn't show. I knew the gear cuz I sat in the booth every night on breaks and watched.

Did you know when you made it or did it just sneak up and end up being so?

I still haven't made it to my standards, I try to stay away from the ego shit, and I will always try to be a better DJ, play a bigger event, mix on more stations, and produce a big record. But I recognized it whenever I took major steps - my first club gig, my first event, radio show, gig-away-from-home, CD deal, syndication, etc.

How did playing on the radio change your career?

Radio helped me in several ways. First, in '84, it made me locally popular. I played on the only station that mixed in So. Cal., and we were the only ones playing dance music. It was tiny, but huge. Radio also helped me with industry connections (labels, a&r, service, etc.) and of course it has always played a part of my local (and now regional) success.

What did it feel like to be on top of the DJing scene at such a young age? Where you mature enough to handle it?

I don't know. I just wanted to play. I'd get paid a couple of bucks, run to the record store and spend it on vinyl. I loved the music. The fact that I was getting known didn't even occur to me, or really matter. I just wanted to play the fucking music.

How were you approached to make your first CD and what was the feeling?

It was incredible, and the timing was perfect. I had just witnessed my boy Humpty put out his first legal CD, and DJ Enrie was getting ready for his. I was sitting around one day at the studio thinking about how I was going to break into the national music scene, and I started making calls. That night, Richard Pruess (PR Records) came to see me play at my residency (Club Metro, 3000 people). He pulled me off to the side after the set and we made the deal. It was cool.

What style of music did you start spinning?

At first, it was disco, then techno-hop, soul, break dance, freestyle, house, techno, tribal & deep house, hardhouse, disco house, progressive, French, trance, breaks, DnB... You get the point.

What style do you spin now and why did you decide to make the change?

I am spinning various styles of House music, and an occasional beat down consisting of Detroit/Canadian techno and trance. I'm into house now because hardhouse was a major fucking disaster. It finished off the house scene in LA. It fucked up the whole electronic movement for a year. House got big with the masses because it was hooky, musical and even vocal. There were great records that people still move to - and these records had substance. So now, I play records with substance that will be big club anthems, and will be remembered in 5 years. That's the benefit of being a veteran, because I have seen music change in so many ways and I keep in perspective that the biggest music always has substance.

Do you spin only one style or do you like to surprise people with a changing style?

It depends on the setting, but surprise is the best weapon as a DJ. I love to break shit down with an Acapella, or slam into a flashback set, or play new styles that even I have never played at a gig. This is the fun part. Taking risks and finding out just how dope the crowd is.

Do you preset your sets or do you just feel the audience?

I have a couple of flashback sets that I use locally, and they change here and there but most of the cuts are the same. Otherwise, I wing it based on what the crowd is doing, the DJ before me, the age group, the nudity.

Have you ever dabbled into producing at all?

One of these days I will turn on the $50k worth of production gear in my studio that I have yet to use and hopefully a song will come out.

Who is your favorite DJ?

That's very very tough. I will say this, there are only two DJ's that have ever made this DJ get on the dance floor and lose his fucking mind. Roger S. (Every time this guy plays I turn into John Travolta) and Josh Wink (Tequila, Bose Speakers and 1000 people in a club that only holds 300 can make you want to live in Miami all year round).

Who has had the most impact on your musical career?

Me. And that's the truth.

What do you do to get away from music?

I turn it off and pretend I'm not in the biz. That lasts about 20 minutes then I find myself bobbing to a Bad Boy Bill bootleg.

Are you married? Girlfriend?

Married.

How long have you been married and did you meet your wife through parties?

I met my wife at Club Metro - where I played - in '92 and have been in love ever since.

Do you want your kids to be involved in music when they get older?

No, not particularly, but if they become so inclined they'll have the best manager in the business.

What else do you like to do? Hobbies?

Long hard nights in bed with the wife and playing with the kids is #1. Other than that Baseball, Music, Boating, Computers, Music, Chilling, Talking, Music, Reading, and dreaming.

Have you ever wanted to give up music?

There have been a few times when I wanted to give up the biz, but I can never stop loving the music.

What are your favorite crowd types?

The kind that come for the music. Fuck attitude, fuck drugs, fuck ballin' - come for the music or stay the fuck home.

Do you ever go out and just relax and dance at clubs?

Rarely. And only out of state.

What was the best experience you've had as a DJ?

There have been literally thousands. In 2000 it was witnessing the work of a colleague of mine, Shawn Phillips, who cultivated a crowd of the most musically driven kids I have seen in ages. And he did it in Salt Lake City, of all places. His club, Axis, is one of the hottest spots to play in the US. And the people really get house music, and respect the DJ's.

Where are you from? Born and Raised?

Redlands, California.

Did you go to college at all?

My first radio gig was at KUOR (University Of Redlands).

What other jobs have you had?

Millions until I turned 18, then DJing all the way. DJ (Age 10-Now), burger flipper, promoter, lumberyard worker, loading dock supervisor, retread where house worker, clothing store salesman, auto body shop manger, camera shop salesman, advertising salesman, news reporter for a newspaper, production director/copywriter for ad agency, night club owner, night club manager, night club entertainment director, night club advertising director, music director, promotions director, plus more I'm sure I left out something.

The company that bears my name currently owns an advertising agency, booking agency, an entertainment consultant firm, a web design company, a record label (idol), and a radio syndication. My wife is opening a full-blown day spa and tanning salon in February.

Solve the dispute. What are the best tables?

Technics 1200's ALL THE WAY. What other motor in the world can be on for 12 hours a day, seven days a week, 15 years long, without any problems? Plus, it is the training machine, and once you adapt to the feel of your tools you don't ever want to change.

What is your favorite all time record? Why?

Impossible.

Do you ever get nervous before spinning?

Always.

What other countries have you spun in?

Canada, Mexico. That's next year's goal - make the rest of the world dance.

Are you happy in California?

Love it here for all the right reasons. Best beaches, best girls, best Mexican food, and best climate. OK so the ghetto sucks, but what am I gonna do about it? If I had to move, it would be to NYC.

Describe your DJing style and what you think about when spinning?

I think about the next record. It's all about meditation and focus. And rocking the house. My style? You tell me...

How did hard house destroy the LA scene and is this just in LA or world over?

I don't think that it's the world over - there's actually some places that really vibe to it. And there's probably some real good hardhouse. Somewhere. Like the stuff that we are calling UK Hardhouse now, it's actually progressive house & techno. It's good stuff. Not like the crap that every Tom, Dick and Balls was producing in their closets two years ago. It started out good, and wound up a bag of noise. People just stopped going to clubs that played it, and events got smaller and smaller. Even the all-ages events turned into a bunch of little kids standing around watching 2 people break dance. The DJ's were playing in vein, and the whole vibe just sucked.


What kind of books do you read? Any favorites?

I am not a book type of guy. I read magazines and articles. Inc, Fortune, National Geographic, art stuff, Maxim & Stuff :), People, Time, Etc.

What are the ups and downs for you of being a famous DJ?

The ups are obvious - money, attention, perks, seeing the country... The downs? Always working. Always. Keeping on top of the game is a bitch. Traveling, especially after almost dying in a car accident on one of my tours. Traveling is sometimes very painful and it's always boring. Never knowing what to expect when you get there. Bad hotels, bad food, bad hangovers. It's all a part of the gig. I love what I do.

Are there any specific countries you would like to spin at and why?

I MUST PLAY IBIZA. It's on fire!

DJ Lynnwood continues to maintainan obvious presence in the electronic music world. With the launch of "Interference," his syndicate radio show, appearances in clubs and raves across the US, and 6 professional CD releases, it is easy to see how DJ Lynnwood has taken his love of music to the highest level. His last two CD's have carried nothing short of a true house lovers dream: Sweet track selection and smooth transitions that absolutely scream, "This is what House music is about." So look forward to another level in House music as DJ Lynnwood releases his awaited 7th CD "House Trip 2001" on the 6th of March 2001.

More information on DJ Lynnwood and his releases, Radio schedule, etc... Go to the official site at www.djlynnwood.com

Compography:

2001 - House Trip 2001 - UC Records

2000 - House Trip 2000 - UC Records

1999 - Dance To This - UC Records

1998 - Keep It Movin' - UC Records

1998 - 4 Times Harder 2 - UC Records

1997 - 4 Times Harder - UC Records

1996 - Earth Shakin Deep House - PR

Brent Csutoras
June 2001