- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of New Times free.
ame: Aaron Taylor
What determines what is played on FM radio? Many things...We use a lot of research tools to gauge what people like and dislike. We check music charts of other radio stations across the country and what works for them, phone/text/email requests, album/single sales, reactions in the clubs, the history of the artist, etc. And finally it comes down to my experience and what my gut tells me.
Does a day job at a radio station make it harder to do club gigs at night? No, because I'm on Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Although after a crazy Thursday night in the club, Fridays mornings can be a lil' rough. God bless Starbucks.
Ever been stalked by a listener? Yes...but mostly they're young girls, so they don't worry me too much!
Craziest shit you've seen at a club: This is a hard one because coming from the Bay Area, I've seen some bad stuff. But most recently a very memorable time for me was DJing DMX's Birthday Party. He's a guy that I've listened to since the start. And playing his songs and having him rap along next to me, with Flava Flav also by my side was memorable!
What would you change if you could? DJs take it way to seriously. I get that in a way it's a completive sport/hobbie/job, but talking bad about other DJ's and - especially - undercutting is the worst. Phoenix has some serious talent out here, but it gets ruined by the bad attitudes of others. Being a DJ is like any other job.
There's always going to be someone better than you, and there is always going to be someone worse. Some will get gigs because of talent, and some will get gigs because of who you know. That's the way the game works. We all got bills, and we all want to work. There's always going to be someone that "hates" on others, and all I do is pray for them. I respect every DJ that does what they do because they love music, don't have ego's bigger than there name, and want to give people a great time, that's what were paid to do.
Prefered poison while DJing? D. All of the above.
Worst request you've ever gotten: I recently had a girl ask if I have any Japanese house music. Huh!?
What sites do you use for music? A lot is sent to me from the record labels, but good remixes I get from DMS, DJ City, fellow DJs, etc.
Last album purchased: Probably was Bob Marley's Greatest Hits, to replace the one I lost.
Last song downloaded: "To Be In Love" by India/Masters At Work.
Track currently stuck in your head: "DJ Got Us Falling in Love" by Usher featuring Pitbull (if you heard it 6,254 times a day, you would too)
DJ Got Us Falling in Love Again by DancingWRobots2
When not Djing, where can you be found? I try to get out as much as possible to support other DJs so just depends on the night.
Keep Phoenix New Times Free... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Phoenix with no paywalls.
