DJ Fashen Interview

Dainjazone: You’ve had a major change recently. What’s the major difference in being with S.K.A.M. as opposed to Deckstar?
Fashen: When I was with Deckstar, everything was really good. They opened a lot of doors for me and I had a lot of good opportunities. My contract ended, so I had an opportunity to explore other avenues. I just decided to go another route. I have no ill feelings towards Deckstar. At the end of the day, you got to do what’s right for number one.

MikiWAR: Will you be advising Lebron James? Is it that kind of move?
Fashen: No (room laughs). I advise him to quit clapping chalk. It’s not going to win him championships.

Dainjazone: But you’re in Vegas more right?
Fashen: Yea the S.K.A.M. team definitely has Vegas on lock. That has opened more doors for me. Vegas is a whole other beast though. It’s cool to be out there, but I’m still a fan of the small town. They are the most fun to play. Small towns rule!

MikiWAR: With the new change, you’ve put out a couple new mixes…
Fashen: When you make a move, you want to come out the box swinging. So I came out with the "Something Special For You" mix. That’s my first official mix with S.K.A.M.. I did the "White Light" mix a while back and I haven’t done one in a while so I did the "Felicity" mix, which was inspired by the "White Light" series. Since I was here last time, I started my new website itsfashen.com. Every month, the top ten songs I’m feeling that month get posted and then I do a mix so everybody has something fresh from me. You can download that right off the site.

Dainjazone: On your site, you mentioned JayCeeOh being one of the best DJs in the game. Answer why that is and what do you look for when you check DJs out and listen to their mixes?
Fashen: I like listening to guys that don’t play what everyone else is playing. JayCeeOh makes his own edits and remixes. I hate the term mashups, but he makes really dope mashups. His stuff is so fluent. He has skills on the cuts and he’s just really fun to listen to. He’s the real deal.

MikiWAR: I’ll testify to that. I played with JayCeeOh yesterday and...
Fashen: AYO!

MikiWAR: ...it was fun... PAUSE.
Fashen: Hahaha.

Dainjazone: Wow! (room laughs)
Fashen: Oh you played at the club with him?

MikiWAR: I spun I spun (room laughs). Jayceeoh makes some great edits, but what about you? You’re known for making some dope sh#t.
Fashen: Honestly I haven’t made anything in a while. There was a time when I was in limbo between Deckstar and S.K.A.M. At the end of the day DJing is how I make a living. Like a lot of guys, I was my own manager for a couple months. Not everyone is with an agency, so it’s a hard hustle of selling yourself and trying to get in without smashing your pockets down. When you’re not with a company that used to command a certain price for you, promoters think that since you’re not with them anymore they don’t have to pay you anymore. You’re not paying for the company; you’re paying for the talent you bring. It was tough to convince them. I’m still the same dude. I’m still playing the same music and I’m going to give you 200% regardless of whom I’m with. It was phone calls, emails, and texts all day long. Plus I got in a funk. I’m real critical. I’m not going to put out anything that sounds like "doo-doo".

Dainajzone: Outside of JayCeeOh and Tice Squad, who are your favorite DJs?
Fashen: I’m a big fan of A-Trak. That’s the dude. RIP AM. He was also my number one guy, but I’m a big fan of A-Trak because skillfully he's on point and his selection of music in all genres is crazy. I respect what he’s doing, the music he makes, and the music he plays. There are very few people that I do not like, or not like listening too. I’m a fan of hearing the people that don’t play the same old stuff or who are not predictable. You know, you walk into a club and you say he’s probably going to play this next and he plays it and you think holy sh#t! I’ve never heard this guy play and I know his set. It’s all good, but whatever. I really don’t care. I try to stay positive with everything. There are definitely cats that I’m not feeling at all. They’re not at that level yet: they haven’t paid dues. They’re nice kids but I’m cool on them.

Dainjazone: Kids...

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