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Spin Diego

The Good Life - DJ Schoeny

Who wouldn’t want to be in charge of rocking the dance floor? DJ Schoeny wears ‘The Good Life” on his knuckles and explains why being a DJ nowadays is the good life.

Age: Old enough to moonwalk
Hometown: Modesto, California
Label: OrangeSpade Productions
Genre: Electro Rock/House/Live Remix/TapDance
Favorite Happy Hour: Suhi Deli
Favorite hang-out: Pull-up bar.
Favorite Cocktail: Jack and Coke. I don't know if that's considered a cocktail, but it's my favorite and if I drink enough it'll make the crowd look sexier.

Something only a local would know about San Diego:
They’re making a new law right now; you have to install blinkers on your shoes to walk downtown.

All-time favorite album:
Old School: Who's Next by The Who New School: Lateralus by Tool

Influences:
Wow, I'd have to say most of my influences have nothing to do with music. One of my biggest influences would be anybody that has a drive to live, to do what they want, to succeed and reach their goals. When I see someone striving for something and perfecting their profession or passion, that makes me motivated and makes me want to achieve my goals. I think the word "goals" is a really cheesy word. You hear it all the time, but I think it has a whole different meaning when someone verbally states what their goals actually are. I can sit here and tell you I want to become the best DJ in the world, but your mind really can't wrap around what I mean because you don't know what being the "Best DJ" entails. Actually, I don't think I know either, but anyways.... My passion for life is 110%, being a DJ is just what I do with that passion.

Secret Celeb Crush: Elliot from Scrubs.

Who is your favorite local DJ and why?
Junior the Disco Punk, because when he spins it's like his fingers are breakdancing on the records.

How long you been spinning and how’d you get started?
I've been spinning for about ten years. I started getting into music when I was like seven years old. My next door neighbors were from Fiji and they were DJ's. They had all sorts of instruments and audio equipment over there; it was like a damn Circuit City for a kid my age. We would stay up late digging through crates of old records, trying to mix old melodies with new beats. We were all in junior high so we did this while drinking and trying to get the porn channels to come in clear. Then of course, I did all my high school parties and house parties. Geez, I miss high school house parties, those were the days. Parents gone, all your friends in a small crowded living room dancing to some Jay-Z track.

What is your best memory as a DJ to date?
I have so many, but one that stands out would have to be On Broadway Halloween 2008, when I was mixing Nirvana with Benni Bennasi's "Satisfaction" and Dan G was doing the robot in front of the smoke machine. The crowd was going nuts! That night was incredible, when it was over there were sweat puddles on the dance floor.

Best Place to perform and why?
Clubs. ‘Cause at the beach people always throw sand at me…and Texas. I don't know why but every time I go to Texas it's a good time and of course Vegas.

Any pre-DJ rituals?
(Thinking) A couple of Jack and Cokes and a nice little game of Tetris on my Game Boy.

Any DJ pet peeves?
Drunk girls! Be nice! When you and your “Blondetourage” go out to the club, you can be snobby and mean to everyone there, but be nice to the DJ because when you are good n' tipsy and you want to hear the Apple Bottom Jeans song the DJ should be your best friend. I have a lot of women come up and ask me to play a song and then three songs later they come back and ask why I haven't played it! Overall, just be nice. The club scene is supposed be an enjoyable social environment.

What do you like most about your job?
People. I love meeting people, especially people that aren't afraid to come up to the booth and chat after the show. I've met so many people through DJing. I always think I know all the types of people in the world, and then I'll meet someone and be like "wow, they still make people like you?”

What about the DJ scene in San Diego? Is it comparable to other places?
The DJ scene in San Diego is very unique. You have the North Park scene, Downtown, La Jolla, and PB. Each area has pros and cons for the overall music scene in SD. You can't beat the Wave House SUNDAZE though. I think we forget how much the weather plays a role in the music scene down here. In some places in the World, it's so cold that people would never think about throwing a party in their backyard or at the beach. We're lucky.

How would you describe the mix you play?
A splash of Red Bull and tons of Vodka. If Red Bull was the 80's and Vodka was crazy electro dance beats!

Is that really a ‘Reading Rainbow’ Mix on your Space?
Come on! You gotta give me props on that! Yeah, I took an old hip hop beat and mixed it in with Reading Rainbow. That's the kind of stuff you'll here when you come out to see me; crazy ass dance remix's. Plus, ‘Reading Rainbow’ is the only reason I can read. I'm working on a remix of the Cheers theme song and Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song; they'll be on my MySpace soon.

What separates you from other DJs
The fact that I can take my job serious and still rock the club like it's a house party. I want to be right next to the dance floor and have everyone all up in my face. I want to see people making out in the corner, people arguing, doing the soldier boy across the bar.... I like that stuff. Oh, and the fact that I might be the only DJ that can successfully mix Kings of Leon, Frank Sinatra and Three 6 Mafia into a set and have the crowd digging it. You get some DJs that think they’re playing music from their castle or a throne. Nah, DJs are just people that sit in their room and freak out all by themselves over their favorite songs; and if we're lucky we can do it at a club in front of 300 people.

Are there any records/songs from when you first started DJing that you still spin today? If so, what are some of them?
Ok, check this out. I'm going to give you the secret DJ Schoeny playlist. I can squeeze these into almost any set.
#1- "1,2,3,4" by Coolio
#2- “Treat 'Em Right" by Chubb Rock
#3- “Hey Mr. DJ" by Zhane
#4- “Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J
#5- “Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees
Put those on for your next cocktail party, play them all five in a row and watch the party go crazy. And there are a lot of house remix's I have that I still play, but I can't give those up. Sorry.

What is the craziest thing a girl has done to meet you?
Flown all the way to Texas for one of my shows.

What direction do you see DJing going in?
North East. Literally, I have some more stuff lined up for LA and Vegas this summer. Hopefully, I'll be hitting up Europe in the next couple years, and then I want to come back to SD and chill for a couple months.

What else do you do besides spinning the decks?
When I'm not spinning the decks I'm swabbing the decks. Duh! Seriously though, If I'm not spinning, I'm getting inked. I'm addicted if you haven’t noticed (points to chest and arms). Much love and thanks to Nick Alvarez of Guru Tattoo in PB and to the whole staff. I just got my knuckles done; they spell out "life" on the right knuckles and "good" on the left and "is" on my thumbs. "LIFE IS GOOD,” isn't it? And I also like to search craigslist for hot deals on lawn mowers.

What is something about you that most people don’t know?
Oprah is my mom, and Bob Saget is my dad.

Last words or anything we should look out for in 2009?
My new CD just came out called "Fraggle Rock.” It's a nice mix of house music and rock. Everything from Blind Melon to Snoop Dogg. Go to my MySpace and click on “Traveling Uncle Matt.” Tell him Schoeny sent you; you'll figure it out. Check out my new Blogspot (candymash.blogspot.com), you can download all my remix's and other good dance music for free.

Any shout-outs or low-blows?
Yes! First, to my family. I love most of you (laughing), just kidding. Thanks to all of the bartenders and management at all the clubs! You guys keep the party going and keep me drunk. To all my friends that put up with me when I go on my three hour discussions about music. To Junior the Disco Punk for being a great uncle and to Pauli P, DJ Advice, Entourage Productions. My good buddies, Nick and Garry. Alliho at Garage Salon in PB. And to Britney Spears for making me realize that my life will never suck as much as hers’ does. And to my one true love…Happy Hour Magazine. Will you marry me?