DJ Quickie Mart is a Los Angeles-based DJ. He cut his teeth in the New Orleans scene. Quickie Mart fuses styles (from dubstep to NOLA funk) effortlessly to create a sound that is all his own. Quickie Mart wrote in to discuss what first got him into DJing, what he misses about NOLA and the first record he bought. For more info on DJ Quickie Mart, check out http://www.djquickiemart.com/
Where are you from in New Orleans?
Uptown in the 13th ward. I grew up in Baton Rouge and Shreveport. I went to high school in Caddo Parish, and lived in the 13th from 2001-2007. I’ve lived all over the Southwest also. Phoenix, Austin, Dallas, and I have been in Los Angeles since 2007.
How did you first become interested in DJing?
I grew up playing the guitar and piano, but DJing and producing were the first things that I really stuck with. When I was in High School my friends and I would travel to hip hop shows and raves pretty much every weekend. We would go to shows at The Music Hall in Austin, The Eyeball in Houston, The State Palace, and places like that all over the Southern U.S.
Electronic music production and turntablists had always intrigued me. Without going into detail… after one crazy night in Houston, I took the money I had left and bought a grip of vinyl. I had a couple friends that let me get on their turntables, and then everything kind of fell into place from there.
Do you remember the first album you ever bought?
“Dancing On The Ceiling” 12 inch by Lionel Richie, I think I was 5, and I still have it! haha
The first full length LP I bought on vinyl was AC/DC’s “Back in Black” around that same time.
Where did you DJ your first gig in NOLA?
Butler’s in 2000. Props to DJ Real and Black Pearl, Damn I miss that place!
What qualities do you look for in great tunes?
A good tune is a good tune, but it helps if the ladies like it.
You DJ many different styles. What are some of your favorite styles to work with?
Funk and Soul, and anything hip hop or electronica. But that’s not fair because I like so much!
How do you approach a remix?
It’s different every time for me. It really depends on what I am remixing, or even how I feel, or maybe what I’m into heavily at the time.
What are some of your favorite venues in NOLA to play?
Tipitina’s is hands down my favorite place to play in the world, PERIOD!
What have been some of your craziest shows?
I kind of zone out when I am performing. So, unless it happened before or after my set, I couldn’t really pinpoint on a specific moment, but my set at Voodoo Experience this year, and the Arcade tent at Bonnaroo in 2009 were some of my most hype crowds to date, and lately the Bassik events I have DJed at in New Orleans have been crazy, Y’all ROCK!!
I am so grateful for my fans!
Do you prefer DJing with vinyl, CDs or a laptop?
Vinyl all day, but Serato with a Mac is industry standard for even the turntablists now.
You’re based out of LA now. What is the scene like in LA?
Awesome, it’s got EVERYTHING!
What do you miss most about NOLA?
My family, the food, and the Southern women.
What NOLA artists would you love to work with that you haven’t yet?
I have had the great honor of jamming with, and opening up for the legendary Mac “Dr. John” Rebennak on several occasions, but would love to do some real cutting edge, out of the box kind of stuff with him in the studio.
What advice would you have for DJs just starting out?
Don’t limit yourself to any one style.
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By: McClain Johnson
