Like the small number of unfortunate souls are required to do every year, DJ Louder will be toiling away at his job on Christmas while the rest of us are engaging in mass amounts of holiday cheer.
But don't you dare pity him, as the 32-year-old will be spending the most wonderful time of the year doing what he loves: spinning up a high-energy mix of dance music for a flock of adoring fans.
Louder will be one of the featured DJs at the annual Mary X-Mas rave that will take place over the next couple nights at an unspecified location somewhere in the Valley. And hopefully the cat will be clad in a brand new outfit, which is what he's hoping that Jolly Old Saint Nick will bring him.
Read on for more info about Louder and his background that's contained in this week's DJ Dossier, as well as why the dude digs working on Christmas.
Name: Ruben Hernandez
AKA: DJ Louder
Current schedule: Mary X-Mas (December 25), Epic Red Cup Massive (December 31), and Dropping the Ball (December 31)
Genres spun: Breaks, dubstep, drum 'n' bass, drumstep, glitch-hop, bassline.
What's your DJ origin story: I was looking for internship hours during my time at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1998, ended up interning for Burn Music. I helped them throw a rave and was instantly hooked on electronic music. From there, I picked up the decks and started to practice. The rest is history.
Explanation behind your moniker: I picked up the decks in '99 and decided I needed a DJ name. I told my brother and next thing you know I had a voicemail with about 30 different DJ names on it. So I chose the best sounding one and it stuck. Big ups to my brother.
Tell us something about yourself that might surprise others: Nothing really, I'm a plain Jane, though one crazy fact is that my fifth cousin is the infamous Pancho Villa. I have Mexican rebel in me.
Latest mix:
DJ Louder - Break Coalition Vol 3 (Re-Break) [Breaks Mix] by DJ LOUDER
How does it feel to be working on Christmas? I love it! My family parties on Christmas Eve, so Christmas is usually a relaxing day. Maybe a movie night, but that's it. Playing on Christmas is pretty much tradition. Something I don't wish to break.
What gifts are you hoping Santa brings you? Clothes. I hate shopping for clothes, so hopefully the big man will hook a brother up.
What's been your best experience as a DJ? Opening for the Stanton Warriors at Myst
in Scottsdale and just recently opening for Downlink and Skrillex at 910 Live. Both times the crowd was super electric and both gigs reminded me of how it feels at massives. It's awesome to play to such a hyped crowd.
And the worst? Those warehouse gigs where there is a single room and about three to four stages in that one room. That has to be one of the most ridiculous ideas any promoter could have. Sometimes you couldn't even hear your monitor which pretty much renders a DJ useless.
What do you dig about the Valley's DJ scene? I like the people that I meet. I like being around those with the same kind of passion for electronic music. I feel that they are more open minded and for the most part, friendly and inviting.
What would you change if you could? The age limit. I would love 18-plus parties only. I didn't start going to parties till I was 19. I feel like I got plenty of responsible partying in. That's the word... responsibility. I don't think you have that when you're 16.
Which do you prefer -- performing at a club or at a rave: I love playing both, especially when the party is loud and poppin. The rowdier the better.
Other local clubs where you performed: Myst, Axis-Radius, Freedom, Donnie Brasco's, 910 Live, Cherry Lounge, Martini Ranch, Sky Lounge, Acme, Bar Smith, Chasers, PCL, DrinX, Suede, The Loft, Level and Sharks in Tucson, plus a ton of other clubs, dives, and lounges. I just can't think of them all right now.
Bygone club you miss the most: Freedom/Pompeii. It was best place for electronic music, IMHO.
Craziest shit you've seen at a gig: One time I was at a club in Tempe. Stayed till close, then next thing you know the bouncers closed the doors and the DJ got on the mic and said, "This is now a private party." Drinks were flowing, green was smoking, and the girls got pretty wild. That was a pretty cool after-hours.
What's your mantra? Stay fresh, stay excited.
Worst request you've gotten: Hip-hop. No, I don't play hip-hop. If you want hip-hop and I'm playing, you're probably in the wrong club.
What sites do you use for music? I'll tell you the name of any song I play, but I can't give my sources away.
Which underground artists have you been pimping lately in your sets? Liquid Stranger, School Boy, J.Rabbit, Vaski, High Rankin, Taku, Rob Swire, REL1, Tolgar, Tomlison, reFaze, William VanDyke...just to name a few.
What else have you been listening to lately? I've been busting out all my old IDM (Aphex Twin, Plaid, Plug, Square Pusher, etc.), some NIN and System as well.
Last album purchased: Liquid Stranger's Mechanoid Meltdown. He's from Scottsdale. He's definitely going somewhere.
Last song downloaded: Deadmau5 -- "A City in Florida (Krafty Kuts ReRub)"
Any side projects? Trying to get this production thing down. You can check my progress on SoundCloud.
Any future gigs you'd like to promote? Two new years gigs -- Droppin' The Ball and The Epic Red Cup Massive.
When not DJing, where can you be found? Lounges, dive bars, watching Dry River Yacht Club or at the movies. I love watching movies, but most of all, sitting in my chair at home, learning how to produce.
Preferred poison while DJing: Gin and tonic, SoCo and lime on the rocks, or tequila and lime on the rocks. Or sometimes just water.
