Pretty rad.
For Z-Trip, he’s blowing up. From working with Jurassic 5 to Linkin Park – he’s on top of his game and the world.
So, if you have a chance to dance your way to AGSAGFSAG on AGASGAS, then trust me, you are in for a major treat. Tell him you know me, and perhaps he will do a special magical spin just for you.
Ba-ba-ba-ba-Benny and the Jets! Rock on!
You were recently in town for Lollapalooza, how did that work out for you?
Really good, man. It was a lot of fun. And actually, it is kind of funny. I was supposed to be playing Lollapalooza for a few years now, but my schedule has never lined up. So, it was nice to finally have a chance to perform there.
Sweet, dude. And, you’re coming back to Chicago. What are your thoughts on the city?
I love Chicago. I love playing here. I always look forward to coming here because I do have a very nice fan base here. Chicago is kind of an underrated city with it’s music scene. I think people really dig it here.
I sure as (bleep) do.
(Laughs) Good.
How crazy is being a DJ? I mean the life is insane – especially the traveling.
Well, the positive is that I get to go to a lot of places and I get to meet a lot of people. I have a job where I love what I am doing and get paid for it. I mean, I couldn’t ask for anything better. The downside is, can I curse?
Sure, but I may bleep it out.
(Laughs) OK, well you eat like (bleep). You end up looking like (bleep) cause you don’t get any sleep. And, you’re constantly having to email people back and pay your bills late cause you’re never home. So, the good side is you get to live this crazy rock star life, but the downside is that you don’t get to really live a normal life. But what is normal? (Laughs).
(Laughs) Exactly. I am jealous, especially of the rock star lifestyle. How is it being a rock star?
I love it. I’m kind of engaged though, so, I am trying to mellow out a little with my love life. But, if anything, it’s gotten even crazier. The bigger it gets, the more you do, the crazier it gets. I now get crazy offers, like the phone call, “We want to fly you out to Berlin for a day and then fly you home.” What? It’s crazy man, crazy. (Attempts an accent) Yeah, I’m going to Berlin for a day and getting crazy amounts of money, but I will only be there for six hours.
(Laughs) I think that’s pretty phat.
(Laughs) It’s something that I laugh at, but it’s great because I’m getting a ton of opportunities and life is pretty good, man. Things are going well.
Seems like it, man. You’re kickin’ butt one day at a time.
Honestly, I feel like I’m the black sheep of the DJ world. I never wanted to dress that way. I think the only thing that I have ever done is smoke pot and drink beer. I’m not a coke guy or that guy with the crazy sparkles on his shirt partying until six in the morning chasing girls. I am sort of a nerd who really loved music and just sort of made it.
That’s pretty sweet though, dude. You are an inspiration to all nerds.
(Laughs) That’s my plan. (Laughs) My idea of a good time is to go out on the town, play my music, meet some people, and then go find a record shop and dig for records. I love that. It’s not rock star cool, but I am so into music, I’m OK with it.
Hey man, that’s OK by me. Music rocks my world, too.
Yeah, man. If I can find a record that no one has heard of, or if I can go to Japan and bring a record back here and play it for people and turn them on to a new kind of music, that seriously does it for me. This may not be as cool as some of the crazy rock star stuff, but I think it’s pretty beneficial.
Being a DJ brings a different kind of fame. You don’t get recognized wherever you go – you are still behind the music. Is that one of the best parts of this gig?
It’s funny. My girl and I will be out sometimes. We are at IKEA and I totally got called out by some guy, ‘Oh my God it’s Z-Trip.’ (Laughs) That’s funny. Which is kind of cool, cause instead of having 40 people rush me, I can deal with one of two.
Yeah, that seems so much more reasonable.
Exactly. It’s interesting cause you never know when someone is going to know you. I’m always approachable.
It would suck to have people on you all day long. I know I wouldn’t want it. Even as the famous columnist I am.
(Laughs) Are you?
Not at all.
(Laughs) I don’t want it the other way. Imagine going out wanting to go to the park or a movie, some people can’t do that. That’s (bleeped) up. I don’t want that notoriety.
You seem like a pretty laid back DJ, calmly dressed with a calm attitude. Why no glam?
(Laughs) There are a lot of DJs who are all about show, but for me, I think skills will always overpower the scene. I think a lot of those guys out there only have their rep to stand on, and when that washes away, what will they have? Nothing. Nothing at all, but I will still have my skills and my love for music. That will keep me going. I plan on doing this for the rest of my life. It’s that important for me to find that album others won’t find in Japan. That helps me stay ahead of the game.
Right on, man. You are doing things the right way.
I can only hope.
