And just one day I was like
'I want to do music with scratching ' and I didn't know anyone who played turntables Dan Haug, also known as DJ Ruckus Roboticus, said, explaining why he bought a set of turntables in high school. Haug is best known in Athens as a DJ for Dance or Die.
Haug is casual about his skill as a disk jockey, but he's been getting attention for it lately, winning two national - and international - DJ contests in the same month. In early December he won first place in the Upload III contest sponsored by Rockstar Games, the video game company famous as the creators of Grand Theft Auto. The Upload III Web site, www.rockstargames.com/upload, describes Haug's mix, called The Record Playa
as a frenzied mix describing what it's like to be a 'record playa'... file under un-easy listening.
A copy of the same mix was also chosen as the number one mix of the year by listeners of Solid Steel, a radio show associated with Ninja Tune Records and based in London, England. Darren Knot, the show's producer, said Solid Steel receives mixes from around the world, from big name artists to bedroom DJs.
Dan's mix was exceptional and totally encompassed what the show is all about
he said. Which is mixing different styles of music together.
Haug said being on the show alongside established artists was really flattering.
Just seeing my mix next to Kid Koala's ... for a second I was side-by-side with one of my idols
he said.
Haug got into spinning records 5 years ago when he was interested in composing experimental music. He started experimenting with turntables and eventually it just took over
he said. He practices for at least a half an hour every day, and said it takes him about six hours to put together and practice a typical Dance or Die set.
I've always liked playing with other people's art
like collage
he said. Taking something someone's already done and making it my own. So DJ-ing applies perfectly to that.
Haug is going to keep performing after he graduates this year, continuing in theory
forever. The music might be in a different form, however, because in the future he wants to spend more time composing his own music.
I'll find out if my hobbies will become my day job
he said.
Haug said he probably' likes playing live shows best because his favorite part of being a DJ is interacting with the crowd.
