From the top… Who are you? Where are you from? How long have you been skratching?
Sirness the Tablist Phoenix, AZ. I started destroying faders in late 98. When I say destroy I don’t mean I was incredible, I was just using a Gemini Skratch Master mixer and well those faders lasted about a week lol. Always had a good stock of WD 40 on hand.
When did you first see or hear someone scratch? Was that an “ah-ha” moment or was your foray into DJ culture gradual?
It was definitely an Ah-Ha moment but due to funds it was forced to be gradual. But as like everyone else back then Herbie Hancock Rockit was the game changer. I watched and listened to dj’s, scratching and juggling for years (DMC vhs, Shiggar Fraggar Show, Vinyl Infiltration here in AZ) before I ever got a set of my own. I actually learned the basics on a belt drive.
Is there a DJ scene in your area of the planet? If yes, how is it?
Sadly till very recently I been the text book bedroom dj. I missed out on the great Hip-Hop run AZ had back in the day (Style Rock, The Arena, Mill etc.). I do know of a fantastic place now though called Cyphers The Center for Urban Arts.
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/bestof/2013/award/best-place-to-learn-how-to-dj-3820506/
What type(s) of music do you enjoy spinning? Do you spin at home? Parties? Clubs? Etc?
I don’t spin, I made the decision looooong ago, for me spinning never skratched that creative itch I had. So I turned to creating scratch music and I never looked back.
If you can pass along one piece of advice to an up and coming DJ that you wish you knew when you first started…what would it be?
Don’t be a clone……too many dj’s try to be like other dj’s. Style and funk are almost non existent. Create your own style and flourish.
Have your music tastes changed over time? Do you still jam to the same tunes you did when you were younger?
Compared to the lackluster attempts at “music” we get jammed down our throats now days. We have diamonds, but sadly a whole lot of coal to sort through to find them. I still listen to all the music from my youth since it was some of the best music to bless our ears.
What was the last song you listened to?
Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) – Not Fragile. Its the focus of my new scratch track. My music in general is heavily influenced by 70’s rock.
Where can we connect with you online? Where can we stream your music?
All the normal spots now days.
e-mail- sirness@hotmail.com
Sound Cloud- https://soundcloud.com/sirness
Youtube- http://www.youtube.com/user/Sirness
Instagram- sirness_the_tablist
Twitter- @DJSirness
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/george.cotten
Plus my groups pages.
The Gentlemen Ether (Reverbnation)- http://www.reverbnation.com/thegentlemenether
The Gentlemen Ether (Facebook)- https://www.facebook.com/GentlemenEther
So it Goes- https://www.facebook.com/soitgoesphx
Any last thoughts? Shout outs?
Well first and foremost shout out goes to my brother Pat if it wasn’t for him in these past 7 years I wouldn’t be doing any of this now.
Casey Van Buren and Benjamin Puma Walker for welcoming me into the Gentlemen Ether and letting me have the opportunity to make music with you guys.
Mike McAfee for being a friend that’s always there for you.
Special Shout out goes to DJ Focus for inventing the only fader I would ever need.
Shout outs definitely go out to DJ Tricky T, DJ M2, DJ Akshen, DJ Les 735, Fact 135, and DJ Element. AZ’s finest on the decks.
Shout out to my online homies way too many to list…. Doc Jeezy, Ill Prop, KNS, That Kid Named Cee, Kitty Kutz, Kuttin Kandi, Ben Honna Worwood, Gold Voltron, DJ Shortee, Roli Rho, Tyra From-Saigon, DjSpiderman Dallas, Leighann Looney, Kompoze, The Animal
Crackers, My Tiny Chat homies Ritchie Rufftone, Tableturnsmore, Symantic, Syndrome.
I left out a lot I know, forgive me?
I love you all.
Ness
