For our VERY FIRST artist interview on the site … We are going to start off with a long time friend of ours based out of Austin Texas…
PRINCE KLASSEN

We first met him almost two years ago when he came to Orange County and spun Dirty Money Wednesday’s at Avalon Bar… and ever since then he was addicted to our local “coffee shops” … We have always been impressed with his musical style and his method of DJing… and so we wanted to give you all the heads up on him… Check out the little interview below.. along with an EXCLUSIVE sneak peak at his newest remix.

fR: First off… Where are you / What are you doing right now?

PK: I am in Austin Texas right now, working on some homework for school and giving Lord Darko some advice on which effects box he should buy.

fR: which box do you recommend?

PK: Well I personally use the Pioneer dj EFX 500 (or something like that), but I was giving him the option of that one or the Korg Mini Kaoss pad…It really depends on what you need, so I cant recommend one over the other.
…I would also like to say, that I have owned both of those and if either of those companies have read this, I am ready for stuff being sent to me.

fR: As far as djing goes …what got you into it? and which artists (djs or not) influenced your style?

PK: Hmm, as far as djing goes, I would have to say my older brother got me into it mostly. This is a long story, but I will shorten by saying, I used to record a house mix show on the local college station that was hosted by Dj Rise. I started to really listen to the music and really loving it. We then got turntables and then everything went from there.
As far as influences go…
When I was recording the show the host, Dj Rise and his guests, JJ Lopez and Joe Alfaro really made impressions on me. They would play deep house chunes and from time to time disco sets, Nationally, I was influenced by Steve Silk Hurley, Masters at Work, Qbert, D Styles, Daft Punk, Todd Edwards…. it goes on and on….Basically if you want my influences, listen to Daft Punk’s track off of Homework called Teachers

Daft Punk – Teachers

fR: It seems that electro/ house music being the main focus now at SXSW … Have all the bars and clubs out there have officially jumped on the electro bandwagon?

PK: Yeah, Austin and every other town that has the internet, it seems. That was a huge part of SXSW this year for sure. I think that electro/ dance music in general has really made its impact on the masses and it seems like people are starting to stray away from it. There is still some great stuff coming out, but for the most part, it has become a parody of itself.
I introduced a good amount of that music to Austin by bringing some of the acts through and having them play, but have since gone on to other things.

fR: Yeah, one thing that blew our minds is how you got some pretty huge acts to come out to Austin and tear the town up… Which direction are you moving into now?

PK: Well I dont want to sound like I am over it all, I just think that there needs to be a better filter put on by others. Just because there is a crazy bassline on something, doesnt mean its good.
I am still doing my thing, I have my weekly parties here where I get to play hip hop and dancehall, then play house and disco, and it all works. I am working on my own production right now as well as re edits of disco and boogie tracks.

fR: How much of your time do you spend producing as opposed to working on dj sets or anything else?

PK: Lately, I have spent more time on the production end of things. I usually don’t prepare for dj sets, I like winging them. I usually spend about 2-5 hours a day working on music stuff. I get really tired of sitting and looking at a screen all day. That is kind of why I like djing, because I get to interact and create live instead of just sitting there and clicking things.

fR: Aaaah yes, a DJ who actually physically enjoys djing instead of relying on watching waveforms on the screen… THANK GOD!!

PK: Yeah, I amazed at how many people stare at their screens when they dj. It always makes me wonder how they djed before… if they did.

.fR: It seems like the younger generation is more attracted to unfinished / heavy electro and the older generation is moving towards a more minimal / cleaner/ house influenced sound…

PK: Youre right, the younger (more aggro) kids are into the electro kind of stuff. Its just another phase of music that will be remembered by them when they get a little older. Just like I have a New Kids on the Block t shirt that was pink and I wore when I was 7.

fR:if you could perform with any 3 acts in the world…who would it be.. and where?

PK: 3 acts….man…..I would have to say…Arthur Russell, Love Bug Starski, and, James Chance aka James White….and where…New York would be the only place… but it would have to be back in the early 80s

fR: Hahah as soon as we can figure out a time travel dj tour … you are going to be the first person we call

PK: Awesome, I cant wait. I know this guy with a Delorean, if you need one.

fR: Im in!

fR: So tell me a little about your new track ( the one you will be sending us)
whats the inspiration/ direction? and when / where do you plan on dropping it?

PK: Well the new things I have been working on is another edit of a much loved House chune from the late 90s maybe early 2000s. Its a huge song from Voices of Life called The Word is Love remixed by Steve Silk Hurley.
Last time I was in LA, Pase Rock dropped it and it threw me off, I had never heard anyone else other Dj Rise drop the chune and that was 10 years ago or so.
Its an edit that makes it a bit more up to date. I love long chants and repetitive things, so I have drawn out some parts and really made it get people all primal.
Its on a house vibe with filters and stuff… still work in progress though.

VOICES OF LIFE – THE WORD IS LOVE (PRINCE KLASSEN EDIT sample)

fR: Ok….what do you do in your spare time UN related to music?
(gf, go-karts, eat, drink ..anything)

PK: School has been taken a big part of that time as of late, my girlfriend as well (though she wouldnt think so), my blog and other blog contributions, looking for Banh Mi all over Texas.

fR: Haha there are some pretty dope viet restaurants over here in cali… my favorite is the Banh DIT sandwich

PK: man, I am mad no one took me to any of those jawns while I was there. I will now send out a shout out to all the ladies that work at Mecca. Holler

fR: Hahah we got 3 new coffee shops to take you to …so come out here and lets creep fake racked fobs the fuck out

PK: hahahaha, oh man. I dont even drink coffee, thats the amazing part.

fR: You dont need to there.. you can “oung” chim, a shake, or some tea… either way its gonna cost you.

PK: Yeah it will,….. my life. You need the one asian per party filter in that place.

fR: This just became the best interview ever

Some links and shout outs by PRINCE KLASSEN
fullyfitted.blogspot.com – me and the spank rock kids blog
83tilinfinity.blogspot.com – personal blog with edits, tracks, and tools.
mceats.blogspot.com – my gf’s blog about food.