Kuntrock Kid (Interview)
During an impromptu trip to Tokyo in the summer of ‘07, a dear friend of mine introduced me to the Virginia-bred hapa-blooded, party monster/dj/producer, known as Kuntrock Kidd. Our alcohol induced night at what I vaguely remember to be an underground reggae/electro bar in Shibuya (I believe) solidified Kuntrock Kidd as one of the downest personalities I collided with during that sleep-deprived Tokyo weekend. I’ve been keeping up with Kuntrock’s music and work since his return to the DC/Virgina area about a year after our run-in, but I hadn’t really had a chance to catch up in depth until now. Kuntrock Kidd definitely embodies Aegis’ focus on protecting art and music, so we were delighted to get inside his crazy head for this interview.
What was the first thing you did this morning?
Watch Trailer Park Boys haha
Who are your top 5 all time favorite musical artists?
All time? shiiiit. Roy Orbison of course. Daft Punk of course, Chemical Brothers, Iggy Pop & the Stooges, David Bowie, and Joy Division
How would you describe your musical style, influences, and/or inspirations?
Well I think it’s really important when you do this kind of stuff to really study it like any other trade or profession – you gotta be a student of the music before you can be a master. I often find myself watching youtube vids or interviews of some of my favorite djs/producers just trying to learn as much as possible. I try and listen to all types of music and am constantly digging for different things or new exposures. It’s easy to find inspiration for mixes or songs from just about any source, musical or non-musical. Lately, Roy Orbison has been a big influence on me and he’s far from any form of Techno or House but it still relates to it for me. It’s important to me as a DJ to work on sets/mixes with an audience in mind or a certain feeling or vibe. Sometimes I think I need to narrow my scope in terms of style but I think I’m getting close to solidifying who I am as a DJ/producer in the coming future.
Tell us the story of how and when your dj career began.
I started djing at like 15 or 16, doing school dances. I was always kind of a music snob then and thought “I could do these parties way better than the clowns they’re hiring” and then I kinna got the bug from that and been doing it ever since.
So I think we can understand why one of your DJ names is MixBlood? But tell us how “Kuntrock Kidd” came about?
Yeah, that’s a problem, these multiple personalities, I should straighten that out soon. Uhm, Kuntrock is the name my friend Alan used to yell at everyone when he got drunk in College. I took it and started calling my parties Kuntrock, then eventually myself the Kuntrock Kidd when I spun with my friend Johnny Donkey. I always thought it had a kind of german-punk-electro-vibe to it like Kraftwerk or Krautrock.
Boxers or briefs?
hahah uh boxer briefs?
Tell us about the area you currently live in, the music scene there, and some of your regular spots
The DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) metropolitan area is ok as far as a music scene goes. We’ve got only a handful of major homegrown dance music acts that people are currently familiar with despite our rich history with house music and the rave scene from back back in the day. DC’s a transient city so people are always coming and going. With that said, I enjoy the parties at this warehouse loft on New York avenue and some of the big house events formerly held at this Trinidad & Tobago Association. The formal club scene is lacking and people still think Tiesto is a big attraction for some reason? But lately a few groups have been putting together great Techno/Tech-house/Minimal nights with good results so that’s promising.
What’s your favorite city and why?
Tokyo, so far. Never asleep, so much to do and see, crazy level of intimacy for such a large city. People are nice and they party hard, proper. And you can drink anywhere anytime!
Where do you get your steeze?
In college I was heavy into streetwear, The Hundreds (based in LA of course), and like BAPE an stuff. But recently I’ve grown outta that, kind of trying to switch it up with more minimalist, neutral colors. So like A.P.C, Surface to Air, I like that stuff. My friend Dado turned me on to Opening Ceremony and OAK NYC in New York and also I’m a diehard Uniqlo supporter.
Vices?
I’ve got a few….
(Had to throw this photo in: here’s Kuntrock posing in my retro 80’s Tokyo hotel room circa June 2007, just before we checked out. Let me say, he cleans up well – you could never tell how rough the night before was.)
Give us a playback of your dopest live set.
DJing at the French Embassy in May was completely unexpected and wild. That party was so fun, outdoors, tons of people, good tunes and champagne.
When/where is your next set at?
Next party is this Wednesday (9/30/09) in DC @ HUMP with Saeed Younan
Here’s a little preview of what we can expect to hear from Kuntrock this Wednesday.
Tracklist: MixedBlood – Astronaught Cock (Mix)
1. Umek – S Cream (Aneuria Remix)
2. Popof – Percussive (Original Mix)
3. Empire of the Sun – We Are The People (Style Of Eye Remix)
4. Marco V & Sander Van Doorn – What Say? (Bingo Players Remix)
5. Namito – City Of Gods (Fergie Birthday Remix)
6. Tiga – Shoes (Noob Remix)
7. Psycatron – Ravejuice (Original Mix)
8. Tocadisco – Morumbi (Popof Remix)
9. Laidback Luke feat. A-Trak – Shake it down (Joachim Garraud remix)
10. Riton & Primary 1 – Who’s There (Style Of Eye Remix)
11. Spartaque – Fobia (Piatto Remix)
12. Mescal Kid – Magic Mix 1
Kuntrock will be stopping through LA in early December. We’ll definitely be looking forward to reliving the craziness that went down two summers ago in Tokyo, but until then, check in for updates on his blog: The Blog