DJ Christopher Lawrence / USA / Interview Q&As

American DJ and producer Christopher Lawrence answers the Q&A’s



I thought now would be as good a time as ever, to ask a few questions to mainstay & popular figures in our scene, see what their angle is & what makes them tick.
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Where did it all start for you?

I began DJng in San Francisco in 1992. It started as a hobby, playing free parties in Golden Gate Park, at the beach, and ware house break ins with a generator. I also operated a pirate radio station on Sunday nights. I moved to Los Angeles in 1994 just as the Southern California rave scene took off.

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Where did the name come from?

My parents._

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What gave you the initial push?

I initially had a day job after graduating from university and was DJing for fun. I started to make money DJing and a friend of mine at work who was in his _sixties told me that if I didn't quit the day job and follow my dreams I would regret it the rest of my life. He said there will always be another job but I may have only one chance to be successful at something I am passionate about. He said don't let this moment pass you by. So I quit my day job and the rest is history. I am very grateful to a man named Norman List.

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Who would you say was putting on the best events at the moment?

There are a lot of very good production teams. I grew up in the scene playing for Pasqual of Insomnia Productions and he is still throwing the biggest festivals in America. God's Kitchen does some good events worldwide. Future Entertainment in Australia throw amazing parties. I thin Australia has some of the best festivals. There are so many good clubs around the world right now it is hard to choose.

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Which other countries have you played?

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, Switzerland,Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UK, USA, Uruguay and Venezuela. I am sorry if I left anyone out.

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What was the first event you ever played?

It was an underground party in the basement of a club called Big Heart City in San Francisco.

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What’s the best event you’ve ever played?

There are so many amazing events that I couldn't name one. Coachella and Electric Daisy Carnival are pretty spectacular.

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What was your first record you bought?

Tubular Bells. It is the theme song from the movie The Exorcist. I was just a little kid but I loved that piece of music. I had it on little _45rpm record.

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Out of all the tunes you have, which one does the business every time?

The Sean J Morris remix of a track I did with Nicholas Bennison called Continuation. It never fails to rock the room!


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What's your favourite tune of all time, the ultimate classic?

Neuro by X Cabs on Hook Recordings. That track defined my sound.

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And when all the partying is over, how do you like to relax?

Going home to my wife and kids. Our house is complete chaos but I feel centered there. It is safe and it is home. It is the one place where I am not a DJ.

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How is the scene in your eyes at the moment?

Fantastic. I have been having one of my best years ever. Even with the global recession, there is currently a renaissance happening.

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How big is your vinyl collection? What is your opinion on CDJ's? (the pros & cons)

My vinyl collection takes up an entire room of our house, but it is all in boxes from my move to Melbourne from the US two years ago. I love CDJ's. It is what I play on._

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The funniest thing that ever happened at an event?

A guy once jumped on stage, punched me in the head and then pulled the needle off the record. His friend got injured when he fell off of a table and was taken outside. The guy on stage that punched me was really high on acid and thought that I had killed his friend with my music. It wasn't so funny in the moment, but it is funny now.


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Other DJs you rate?

John Fleming, John Digweed,_

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Who is/are your biggest musical influences in the world of music & why?

The new breed of producers. They are the ones on the cutting edge._


What are your feelings on the MC's?

They are fine. Just don't MC when I am playing.

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What do you do outside of the dance music scene?

Nothing.

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What advice would you give to up and coming DJs/Mc's/Promoters?

You have to do it because you love it. If you make a career out of it that's just the icing on the cake. Too many people get into this scene for the wrong reasons.

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If you could stage an event anywhere, where would you choose?

Mars. The event would really just be an excuse to get a trip to Mars._


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How do you see the scene 5 years from now?

Chugging along like it always has.

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If you had a time machine what year would you go back to and why?

1994. I would love to do it all over again.

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Any shouts you would like to make?

To all the people that are still in it after all these years, congratulations. And to all the people that have just started partying, welcome.


www.christopherlawrence.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Lawrence_(DJ)

www.myspace.com/djchristopherlawrence

Q&A's [email protected]

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Myspace http://www.myspace.com/audiosunshine

Mixes http://mixes.djfez.com/djs/jake-nicholls/

Discography http://www.discogs.com/artist/Riddler+(3)]