Today we’d like to introduce you to Darren Peters.
Hi Darren, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I dunno, I really haven’t thought about my personal story. Would probably be a better thing to talk about.
I also really have a story more for DJ Disco Dino, as they are kind the persona I use for DJing.
I tend to focus more of the music, persona, and dinosaur aspect of DJ Disco Dino, rather than my actual self.
Here’s a brief go of DJ Disco Dino’s origins.
“DJ Disco Dino was one of the greatest DJs around in 65,000,000 BC, playing all the best music for all his dinosaur friends. One night at an epic party, there was a flash of light in the sky, and then darkness. DJ Disco Dino roused from a volcano, lost, in the present, after being frozen and preserved miraculously preserved in time, they had only two things at their side, his record collection, and his turntables. He now roams the world playing all the hits since 65,000,000 BC hoping to find other lost dinosaur friends”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think in when you’re trying to acquire something, it’s never completely a smooth road. I think some of the hurdles I tackled in trying to achieve my goals was my own self-doubt, dealing with depression, and still trying to build some sorta map out of this journey I’m taking.
I think a lot of artist and people struggle with those things.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well, I’m a DJ in all the traditional sense, I play various records in an improvisational way to help curate a experience for those that show up, are willing to participate and dance.
My favorite genre of records to play are usually funk and disco, but I like anything with a groovy beat and lyrics definitely help.
I’ve been DJing around Bend for various functions in the Central Oregon area and have been DJing for Bend Burlesque for the past five years, and I’ve very proud to apart of such a lovely troupe. And at the moment we’ve been starting to host Dance Parties around town that bring a little something different to the scene around here.
I try to focus on the fun in my DJ sets, letting people experience the new and familiar, and playing to the crowd. I felt at some point in time DJ’s were taking themselves too seriously. and I get it, some people have that serious competitive spirit, and that’s okay, it’s just not something I carry with me. I wanted to focus on the fun, the silly, the excitement, of being at a dance party around other like minded people, while still playing amazing tunes.
I really try to focus on the DJ part as well. I feel like there is a lot of pressure especially in America for DJ’s to be Music Producers, and not focus on the art of Djing, and DJing well really is an art, although a bit of a subtle one. There are many great things I enjoy about strictly being a DJ such as all the amazing dance records I get to find, have people listen to it, and who knows if they would ever hear that sorta track ever in their lives. That is the fun part, digging through tracks, records, crates, finding amazing music that has been hidden for decades, it’s almost like a treasure hunt.
I also never plan my sets, and that is something I’m proud of and that is sets me apart from others. When you hear me DJ, it’ll be the first time you hear that set, and the last time. I think it’s important to play to your crowd as a DJ, and to me that involves not planning your set from “song1-song2-song3” etc etc, the best part is we have the tools to mix into a different track if we need to switch the vibe. I think it’s important to prepare for your set don’t get me wrong, prepare for what audience you maybe playing to, what is the event, what time, but I’m not scared if my set isn’t planned out from track to track and it’s exciting to try and figuring out what to play on the spot and it feels like I’m more with the crowd in those moments.
Plus it allows me to take song request, and I’m always happy to try to play a requested song, I think it’s a fun challenge to try and mix it in organically. I don’t understand why DJ’s, especially those ones that are just starting out have such an anger of taking song request, we are literally there for the crowd, to make them happy, and that is an important aspect of DJing live. If you don’t want to take request you either have to become big like Kaskade or play in your room alone.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can spread the word of the Disco Dinosaur living in Central Oregon. I feel like people coming to my events, hearing the good music, realizing the dance floor isn’t a meat market, but really a place where you can be free. express yourself, and not feel judgement from the outside world is enough. It’s tough for people to understand what I’m trying to bring without actually being and participating in the event.
I’m available for bookings as well, and willing to travel. One day I dream of playing for Glitterbox records, one of my many inspirations for how I play.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djdiscodino/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djdiscodino/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQencaJxv_PMU6kJqkFUWw
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djdiscodino
