Q and A with

Chris Preston aka DJ Cub

Q. Please provide us with some bio info as well as how you got your start in being a DJ?

A. I grew up in Lakeland, Florida and moved to Tampa at the age of 18. I have always been heavily into all different styles of music, from as far back as I can remember. I've also always loved playing music I love to a crowd. When I was in high school, I used to bring all my records over to my friends' houses and I'd be, "Ooh! Let me play you this one song..." and so forth. I think being a DJ was sort of in my blood.

I used to spin at 87X back in the day, with my friend Rob, and that's where I first learned how to use the whole DJ setup, (mixer, tables, cd player, etc.), but it was a local DJ named Kalani that got me into mixing, scratching, and doing it live. He took me under his wing and let me do shows with him, giving me advice along the way. That was about 8 years ago, and I haven't stopped since.

Q. Who/What r some of your influences, either musically or otherwise?

A. Over the years I've been influenced by so many different people, it would be difficult to name them all. The ones that have inspired me the most are the DJs / bands that really know how to rock the crowd, and yet are refreshing and original, whether local or worldwide. When I see someone like that perform, it really makes me hungry to be as creative and original as possible.

Q. On your mix cd headponography I was really impressed with your melding of current indie artists such as Broken Social Scene with more traditional club dance music.

Can you tell us more about your mixology method/philosophy?

A. The mix CDs are an entirely different story... When I make a mix at home, in my "studio", I get all the time in the world to find the best possible compliment to a song. When I'm spinning for a crowd, I go for the "on-the-fly" method because it keeps things interesting. A lot of times I do play out the mixes that are on the CDs, though. I came up with the "Headphonography" CD one night when I heard a mix by this French group called Cyann and Ben. It was a mix of indie rock, like Beta Band, Sonic Youth, and Broken Social Scene, (which is where I first heard B.S.S.) but they incorporated other styles, like Electronica, and 70's rock, and still managed to blend it like a professional DJ would. I decided to try and make a mix that would reflect almost every style of music that I listen to. The entire CD was put together in my headphones, and is meant to be listened to through headphones, so that's where the title came from.

Q. You also do graphic arts. Was that your first calling or did it grow out of your Djing? What influenced you to do art in addition to your DJ music career or was art your first love?

A. Art was and still is my first love. Being a DJ is extremely addictive because you aren't creating great music, it's already there... Your job is to find songs that have soulmates and put them together in a way that creates a sort of "higher power" of music that people can understand and feel. With graphics and art, there is much more of a challenge because you alone are doing the creating. You don't have the music to hide behind.

Q. I see you DJ’ed a show with the Postmarks in Feb. 2008. Please relate any recollections, memorable moments, unmemorable moments etc about that show.

A. The Postmarks show was great... I love doing those types of shows because I can tailor my sets around the music that's being played. I'll be getting into a Postmarks song or something, and be thinking like, "what would mix well with this?". I also have a huge crush on their lead singer...wow!

Q. Please list any ongoing DJ gigs you might have as well as any shows you have for July.

A. I'm at New World Brewery (1313 E. 8th Ave, Ybor City) every Tuesday night, playing as many different genres as possible, and not charging a cover. Thanks and keep listening!

contact: http://www.myspace.com/djcub

http://www.myspace.com/chrisprestondesign