Name: Juan Carlos Lenz
AKA: DJ BC/AD
Current club nights: I [mainly] DJ at Ransom and White Rabbit. I have joined the Night Thieves DJ group with Zachary J. Stevens. I'm also DJing on Friday at Brick with Pete Salaz, heading over to Ransom to finish up, and I will be at the Vig Uptown with Sean Watson on Saturday, and then heading over to White Rabbit (which is also at Brick).
Genres spun: I prefer spinning tech-house and progressive house, but at Ransom I'm known for being able to play all genres.
Best experience as a DJ: DJing at Party Foul right before DJ Klever. The crowd was going nuts and everyone was so excited for him. I had one of my best sets because I could just feed off their energy (and if anyone remembers, that place would get bonkers).
And the worst? The worst was DJing for a friend's night and within three minutes this drunk lady approached me and asked me to play Annie Lennox. Her "boyfriend" then almost spilled his beer on my computer.
Craziest shit you've seen at a club gig: I DJed at a 602'sdays at bikini and [during] my second song a fistfight broke out. They almost knocked over the decks. The place got cleared out and we ended up taking the party over to Glam.
Explanation behind your DJ name: Since my name is Juan Carlos, everyone just called me "J.C." because I don't look very Hispanic. There was always a joke about my initials being similar to that of good ol' Jesus Christ. I was trying to come up with a DJ name and saw a commercial for a church. The commercial ended with a cross and lightning bolts with "BC" on the left and "AD" on the right. It just stuck with me, with no religious ties.
How did you get started as a DJ? I started because I always loved playing guitar and playing music. I couldn't find anyone really reliable to do a project with. So one night for a friend's birthday, I spun with Kevin Wayman (a.k.a. Kevin M.O.B.). We were terrible and had no skill whatsoever, but we got the crowd going with the music we picked. I had such a blast being able to control how much fun people were having that I wanted to pursue it more.
What's the perks of being a member of the Night Thieves? The energy from everyone [involved] is huge. We are all creative and want Phoenix to have that creativity. We are collaborating with Giant Wednesdays and Fuse to help bring out some of the world's talented DJs.
That's The Crossover at 910 Live, correct? Yes.
What do you like best about the local DJ scene? Everyone has a great love for music and wants to spread that here.
What would you change if you had that power? I would make downtown [Phoenix] a better spot, more of a "real" downtown. I feel like the construction from the light rail took away from that.
What is your mantra when it coming to DJing? Counting money and touching bitches! Just kidding. Seriously though...I just want people to hear and feel what music can do. I don't go a day without hearing music. I wouldn't want to know what this world would be without Mozart, Serge Gainsbourg, or Soulwax (just to give a few names)
What are some of the other clubs you've spun at over the years in the valley? Homme, Glam, Sanctum, Phil's, Brick, Bar Smith, Burn, Club Red, Stray Cat, Anderson's Fifth Estate, Forbidden, and Sidebar.
Which bygone club do you miss the most? Glam...lit floor and packed to the fullest.
What's with all the Bill Murray pics on your Facebook? He is my favorite actor. Love the guy.
Favorite Bill Murray flick? Groundhog Day.
What's with all the fugly sweaters on your Facebook? I love weird sweaters. They are great for water cooler talk in the office.
What's your day job? I work for Apple at the Biltmore.
Worst request you've ever gotten: I was asked to play Kenny Rogers at Ransom one time.
Where do you shop locally for your music? Revolver, mostly.
Last album purchased: I just bought E.L.O., Face the Music. I had been looking for a good copy of it on vinyl.
What sites do you use for music? Mostly Beatport. If I really like the track, I pay for it.
Last track downloaded: Tiga, "You Gonna Want Me" (Hey Today! Remix)
Tiga - You Gonna Want Me (Hey Today! Remix) by KiiNNNTeLL
Which underground artists you're been championing in your sets lately? Clouds and Dem Slackers are tingling my ear.
What else have you been listening to lately? Gil Scott-Heron, love that dude. Such a talented person.
Song that's been going through your head lately: Cee-lo, "Fuck You" (Le Castle Vania remix).
Best concert you've seen in the past year? Soulwax was amazing at Hard Summer in L.A. Those guys know how to get the crowd going nuts. To be able to finally see them made my summer.
Any other projects you're working on currently? I am working with the Night Thieves, Zachary J. (DWTWN), and Ben Linsenmeyer (Benni Beatnik). I have a mix coming out before the new year.
Preferred poison while DJing? I normally drink Stoli and tonic.
