Recent posts: Uncategorized

Introducing our very own Cornish Pasty, DJ Brady!

Where are you from and where are you living now? 

I was born in a city called Truro which is located in Cornwall, UK, but I grew up in a area called Pool with my Mum, sister & brother but to moved to Camborne, where I still reside. 

How did you come up with your DJ name? 

All throughout my school & college years a lot of my friends have always called me by my family name, which is Brady and I was thinking to myself I might as well use this isn’t stuck with me since I was 18! I nearly went by the name of ‘DJ Blaze’ based on the character from the classic Sega Megadrive game, ‘Streets of Rage’ but had second thoughts and stuck with ‘Brady’.  

What’s your equipment list? 

DJ Equipment:
Pioneer XDJ-RX2 
Headphones:
Pioneer HDJ-X5-K 
Speakers:
2x Pioneer S-DJ50X 
Cameras:
Logitech Pro C920 Full HD Webcam
Logitech C270 HD Webcam 
DJ Software:
Rekordbox

Where did your musical journey begin?

My journey began when in 1997 when I was was 7 years old. My sister would play music loud and told me to listen to dance tracks such as Snap! – Rhythm Is A Dancer, Culture Beat – “Mr. Vain”, 2 Unlimited – “No Limit”, Technotronic – “Pump Up The Jam and Sash! – “Ecuador”, but their are so many to list we could be here all day listing classic dance anthems from the late 1990s. Fast forward a years later and Bonkers, Hardcore Heaven, Hard House Euphoria, Clubland and various Ministry of Sound albums were released, which grabbed my attention. Since a young age i’ve been listening to all sorts of dance genres including Hardcore, Drum & Bass, Trance, Hard House, Hardstyle, Techno and House music.      

What made you decide to take up DJing?

Since the age of 7 when I knew dance music was the number one genre that made me just fall in love. The energy in the tracks just just gives you that happy feeling to just get up and dance, I knew right then it would stick with me for the rest of my life. To this day I still have a huge passion for the music I enjoyed back in the late 1990s and early 2000s.  

What are some of your interests, hobbies, passions outside of streaming/DJing?

I really love playing Pool and Snooker and I’ve been in Pool teams playing in the pub leagues in previous years. I also used to work out at the gym, which I really need to get back into and find the motivation to start training again, but I’m finding it difficult to find the time. I used to enjoy Badminton and Football with my friend back in my school years, but my main hobby now is music production on a part time basis. 

When did you start streaming on Twitch?

I started streaming on Twitch about just over two years ago it was just when the Covid 19 pandemic hit the world around February 2020. My first stream was on my own Twitch channel after maybe two months streaming on the platform, I received a message from Brisk asking me if I would be interested in joining the guys on Team Brisk.

Is there anything you really hope to accomplish in your life, whether it be related to music or not?

I’ve played DJ gigs locally around Cornwall and other parts of the UK, but I would love to play in different countries such as America, Australia, Japan, Germany, Holland and more. I am playing in Seattle, Washington thanks to Dulcedeejay has very kindly set up a event called ‘Under The Sea’ dedicated to me! I’ll have the opportunity to play alongside my friends and fellow Team Brisk members, Discobento, Turbolicious, Hazel Zen, J-Note and K-zar and other local Seattle artists, so I’m really excited about that!    

Who are some of your favourite streamers? Why?

Oh wow! There are so many to mention here and my list would be huge, but I’m really enjoying sets from DJ Brisk, Char, Amber D, Kzar, J-Note, Mr Relax, DJ Skittlez, DJ Fireblade, Hazel Zen, Rave Anywhere (DJ C), Omega, Spin Spin Super, Jimnicricket, Faithintheglitch, Yogurtbazooka, DJ Bouncy, DJ Sakebomb, Joey Riot, Kidkaboom, Evalynnmusic, Rallendj, Turbolicious, Discobento, Sojuhero, Soughboy, DJ Soulr, Ian K, Daghardcore, No Left Turn, Violit TV, DJ Risque, Andy DJ34m Hiams, DJ Tatts, bored Ravers, Krystal Ravegirl, Lyzz-E, Dummy, DJ Magic Mike, Kitsune DJ, DJ Wheelz, DJ Check6, Alaguan, DJ Pepperjack, Scartat, Psymill, Gregorledahl, DJ Shorty K, Hartshorn, DJ Danny C, Viperstar, ItsDJBooters, Kutski, Elhornet. I could go on and on as I have so many favourites and it’s really hard to choose because they all have their own unique skills they bring to the table. 

What is your favourite genre to play? Why?

UK Hardcore is the specific music style will stay in my heart forever. I first started first listening to that genre back in 2007 and I’ve been playing it in venues since I was 18 years old. I just love the energy it brings and it just puts you in a happy and uplifting mood. I also love playing Trance, Hard Dance and Drum and Bass. I love the crowd pleasing melodies in Trance and Hard Dance that just makes you come alive more and Drum and Bass is just so fun to mix.  

What are some of the most memorable events you’ve participated in or streamed?

I would pick playing at Boxed Bar music venue in Leicester, UK where I represented a music label called ‘Eternally Hardcore’ and it was just a fun night to play alongside great DJs such as Alex Prospect. I’ve also delivered a lot of online stream events, mostly being on Facebook and Twitch, with the most memorable ones having been the Team Brisk raid trains featuring the S3rl & Brisk back to back DJ sessions.  

What does Team Brisk mean to you?

I would say my favourite thing about Team Brisk is how well everyone supports each and the community outside of Team Brisk is just mind blowing as well! I love how everyone works together in the team and helps each other to reach their goals. I’ve been on Team Brisk for two years now and I I’m one of the earlier members to join, but ever since joining it’s just been an awesome experience and I will always be thankful to the team and Brisk himself and will always be there to help out much as i can. 

What’s your favourite thing about DJing on Twitch?

I would say the community for sure as per the previous question. The support is just awesome sometimes I am overwhelmed! I always love how you can play out so many music genres outside of your own comfort zone and people will always be there for you with support, even it’s not their personal preference with music that they would not usually listen to.  

What is a challenge you’ve faced as a DJ/streamer?

Sometimes internet issues get in the way for streaming, but I understand that is a common thing that can happen to all streamers in general. Once again, the community still stick around and wait for you once you have the problems fixed. I’m happy in someways when it happens because you learn more about the technical side of things and you learn how to make your streams better from it and grow your knowledge base. 

Do you have any special projects, streams or events you would like to tell us about?

I’m mainly focusing growing my Twitch channel and producing more music, but unfortunately, I can only produce music on a part time basis as I don’t always have much available free time. I can see myself streaming on Twitch as a long term proposition as love it so much and it can get very addictive! As I mentioned before, I’m headlining a event in Seattle, Washington which I’m very excited about. My sense of humour gets a little naughty at times, but I still have a heart and just love everyone.   

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out and/or thank?

I would like to thank all the Team Brisk members for their incredible support and Briskrisk himself for inviting me on the team. If it was not for Brisk then I would not be where I am today. I would also like to thank the Twitch community as a while and I’ve met some awesome viewers and DJs that have now become my friends. Hopefully in the future we will party together in real life! I would also like to thank CUNextTuezdae, she is one of the people on Twitch that took me on for lots of her online events.     

Links:

Twitch
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
MixCloud
SoundCloud

Introducing our latest Team Brisk Streamer Of The Week, as we head to Wales to meet Craig Fudge!

Where are you from and where are you living now?

Hi I am from Swansea, Wales, UK. Have never lived anywhere else, kinda sheltered I guess ha ha!

How did you come up with your DJ name?

My DJ name Fudgee comes from a love of Cadbury’s Fudge bars. Fudge is my nickname and even my parents and other family members call me it!

What’s your equipment list?|

PC wise I run two laptops, an Asus Fuf gaming laptop for the DJ software (plus OBS) and an Acer laptop that I use for screen mirroring OBS and inputting text.
I use a Behringer UCA222 audio interface with a Pioneer DDJ SB3 controller.
My cameras are a multiple cam setup using the in built camera on the Acer, a Logitech c922 and a Razer Kuyo.

Where did your musical journey begin?

My parents have always been lovers of all things music, so I was introduced to it at quite a young age. My love for all Electronic Music came when I made the move to comprehensive school and during woodwork lessons we were allowed to bring cassette tapes to listen to. I first heard Carl Cox at Fantazia there and was hooked from that day forwards.

What made you decide to take up DJing?

So even though I was a massive fan of listening to dj’s play Hardcore I never really thought I could be a DJ. It was only when at the age of 15, a local community music project came to my area where they taught such skills as beat matching and music production did I realise I had a skill set that would allow me to unlock the potential to entertain others.

What are some of your interests/hobbies/passions outside of streaming/DJing?

I love Formula One, I am a massive fan of most things motorsport really and also love to go sim racing at a local place we have from time to time. I also enjoy cycling when I can be bothered to get out on the bike! I also do like to do some carpentry when the need arises (usually when Mrs Fudge nags me to do so!)

When did you start streaming on Twitch?

I started streaming on the 30th of June 2020.

Is there anything you really hope to accomplish in your life, whether it be related to music or not?

I am currently about to undertake a massive project to build my studio at the bottom of the garden. It’s the biggest project I’ve undertaken and I do have some trepidation about doing so.

Who are some of your favourite streamers? Why?

I love DJ Amber D, Char, and of course DJ Brisk! Why? Well mainly it’s that all three have shown me the importance of making your audience feel like family. We all have one thing in common and that’s the love of the music. It binds us all and breaks down the barrier of distance using the power of the internet.
I can honestly say if it wasn’t for DJ Brisk I would 100% not be streaming in the way I do now. I have learned so much from watching this man play and give his all for his craft.

What is your favourite genre to play? Why?

It’s probably the nostalgia of it all for me but I absolutely love to play 95-97 Bouncy Techno.
It’s unapologetically happy, it’s hard, plus it always puts a massive smile on my face which always translates to viewers thanking me for playing it which is a win in my eyes!

What are some of the most memorable events you’ve participated in or streamed?

I think the two that stand out for me are the first gig I ever played in 1997 at the Bubba Club, Swansea at the age of 16 (I was so nervous), where pure adrenaline got me through it, and also the Team Brisk raid trains I’ve been a part of. Every single one of those events holds a special place in my heart especially DJ Brisk’s Birthday train where I played a special History of the Brisk Selection Hardcore set!

What does Team Brisk mean to you?

Team Brisk means one major thing to me and that is family. Every single team member feels like a brother or sister. The greetings I get when I enter a fellow members chat and they welcome me with such love can only be compared to what a family member does.

What’s your favourite thing about DJing on Twitch?

It’s the interaction you get with your audience no matter where they are in the world. This cannot be replicated by playing a set in a club. Location doesn’t ever need to come into it like it does with a club set. This is a massive thing twitch brings to the party.

What is a challenge you’ve faced as a DJ/streamer?

I’d say for me it’s not having somewhere dedicated to have my stream permanently set up. The time taken to set up and pack away for a 2 hour Twitch stream really takes me away from my family plus my audience. That’s why I have to get myself a studio made.

Do you have any special projects, streams or events you would like to tell us about?

The only special project I have on at the moment is this studio I keep harping on about! I’m not clever enough to produce music so you’ll see me around on Twitch and I am 100% bound to be on the next Team Brisk event, so keep an eye open for me then!

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out and/or thank?

Besides DJ Brisk who is the reason I got into this, the only other two people I’d like to thank is my fab wife Susan for supporting and nurturing my hobby, allowing it to become so much more, I love you hun!

Also a huge thanks to my Twitch brother Ken Jones. We became friends through Brisk’s Facebook streams back in the day and there isn’t a day that goes by where he hasn’t given me technical and emotional support. The work he’s done on mine and others streams unconditionally means he is one of the greatest things to happen to Twitch.

Give us your links!
Facebook
Twitter
Twitch

We are heading to the west coast as we bring you our latest Team Brisk Streamer Of The Week with the legendary Gypsy Kid!

Where are you from and where are you living now?

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. From Chicago I ended up in Florida, Tennessee, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.  Now I’m finally rooted here in Oakland, California. 

How did you come up with your DJ name? 

After High School, I decided to travel and explore the world outside of the town I grew up in. People started calling me the Gypsy kid and the name just stuck.
 
What’s your equipment list?

DJ gear:
1 x Pioneer XDJ ZX controller
2 x Technics 1200 MKII turntables
1 x Pioneer DJM-750Mk2 mixer
1 x SM58 Microphone

PC build:
AMD Ryzen™ R7-5700G (8-Core) Processor
16GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM
2TB Hard Drive + 500GB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive
 
Where did your musical journey begin?

I grew up in the iconic Chicago House scene. So I was always surrounded by DJs and Electronic Music. In my youth I studied piano and violin but around middle school I was given my first set of turntables. I would practice everyday and spend any money I made at the local record shops. I knew early on that music would always be a part of my life. 

What made you decide to take up DJing?

A friend of mine started sharing mix tapes with me in the early rave days. I remember listening to my first Drum & Bass tape by Danny the Wild Child. I was hooked by the sounds and groove. I looked up to a lot of the local djs at that time and admired that they were the life of these parties.  The Chicago scene inspired me to become a DJ and I wanted to share the music I love. 

What are some of your interests/hobbies/passions outside of streaming/DJing?

Being a Dad has changed my life, so the kids come first over everything. I love spending time with the family and watching the children grow and learn. 

I truly enjoy community building whether online or through local events. Bringing people together through music and arts. Promoting events and helping up and coming DJs get a foot in the door. 

Any free time I get, I work on Music productions and building virtual worlds in the Metaverse. 

When did you start streaming on Twitch?

I started streaming on twitch around March of 2020, right as the pandemic started. I was streaming on other platforms but I quickly fell in love with the community on Twitch.

Is there anything you really hope to accomplish in your life, whether it be related to music or not?

Moving into the future with music, I would like to keep working and growing as a producer and DJ. Hopefully be able to perform large scale events and do small tours with friends. My overall life goal is to be there for my Children and help them with their journey.

Who are some of your favorite streamers? Why?

First up would be the 916junglists channel with Billy Lane. Billy Lane has created a place for all junglists to hangout and meet new people within the Twitch platform. Providing a party atmosphere on Fridays with Taco Rewind, building a community and showcasing DJs on Saturday with Inside the ride but also keeping us updated with new and advanced technology on Wednesday with DJs not DJing. 

Second would be EtownJunglist. Such an amazing streamer and brings such positive vibes to my mornings. It’s become my everyday check in with everyone and he always brings the heat with track selections.  

What is your favorite genre to play? Why?

My all time favorite genre to play is Jungle! Something about that amen break that always grabs my attention. I respect and play a lot of different genres, but Jungle stood out to me because it was the Punk Rock of Electronic Music. It has that hard hitting drums with the soul lifting basslines. It puts me in a happy mood every time. 

What are some of the most memorable events you’ve participated in or streamed?

The most memorable event was performing on one of the very first twitch group events called Lock-In Restival. It was a 3 day event with DJs from all around the world. I remember having to play right after Brisk. I was so nervous but had such a good time! 

What does Team Brisk mean to you?

Team Brisk is a family of talented and dedicated streamers hand picked by Brisk himself. It has been an honor to be on a team with so many amazing people. Everyone is so supportive and non-judgmental. We are here to help each other grow! 

What’s your favourite thing about DJing on Twitch?

My favorite thing about DJing on Twitch is first the community. I’ve met so many new friends that share the same taste in music as me. Also being able to stay connected during hard and difficult times. 

What is a challenge you’ve faced as a DJ/streamer?

Some days I hit a wall with streaming and it can be very challenging for me. I need to remind myself  to not worry about viewer numbers or trying to keep up with other streamers. I try to remind myself it’s ok to take breaks and get rest when needed. 

Do you have any special projects, streams or events you would like to tell us about?

Holding down the late night crew every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 10pm pacific time on twitch. You can also catch me co-hosting Inside the Ride with the 916 Junglists crew every Saturday at 9:16pm Pacific time. Also keep a look out on Bandcamp for our releases with Rhythmic Remedies. 

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out and/or thank?

Big shoutout to Brisk for being an amazing DJ and providing us with a place to grow. Much love to all the Twitch viewers that support us and hangout every day. Big up to all the Twitch moderators for keeping all the channels safe and fun. 

Give us your links!

Twitch
Facebook
Instagram
Discord:  GypsyKid#401

We head to Canada for our firth Team Brisk Streamer Of The Week, with none other than DJ Little Fever!

Where are you from and where are you living now?

I am Dj Little Fever From Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, but I was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

How did you come up with your DJ name?

Well the long and short of it I use to go by DJ Little B for the longest time. When I moved to the Niagara region in 2006 I met a DJ at at a venue I was a resident at and he asked me what my DJ name was, I replied “Little B” and he replied with “I’m Little A, we could go by the Little Alphabets!”. Suffice to say, I shut that down pretty quick and changed my name from Little B to Little Fever. This combined the old with the new using a part of my former radio moniker, “Johnny Fever” (when I was presenting on WKRP in Cincinati), so the best of both worlds per se.

What’s your equipment list?

I use a MacBook Pro for my music
Gaming laptop for streaming
A Rane One all in one platter, mixer, console for DJing
Plus a boat load of stream gadgets and ‘do dads’
Main camera is an iPhone X
Second camera is OBS cam
1 x Elgato Multi Mount 
1 x Elgato Key Light 
Cheap ‘accent’ lights from Amazon
1 x Elgato Stream Deck 
Govee Lights
Canva (for marketing and promotion)

Where did your musical journey begin?

Honestly, started in my friends basement making mix tapes for friends, the old school way. Enjoying sharing music with my friends was what got me started.

What made you decide to take up DJing?

It was the perfect mix of social and nerdy at the same time that really scratched that itch (that I still have to this day). Being able to take a person on a musical journey and have them feel something is truly awesome and to see someone shocked at a cool remix or live blend is a constant high that I still chase!

What are some of your interests/hobbies/passions outside of streaming/DJing?

I’m a dedicated family man, certified coffee fanatic and a bonafide bad movie enthusiast!

When did you start streaming on Twitch?

I stared taking it seriously in August of 2020.

Is there anything you really hope to accomplish in your life, whether it be related to music or not?

In all honesty, I would love to tour and dj full time. Being able to travel the world and share music all over the globe has always been a life long dream of mine since I started my music journey (and still is).

Also I would love to own and run a coffee shop (small pipe dream)

Who are some of your favourite streamers? Why?

Askillz
TheGaff
TheFunkhunters
DJ Maculate
DJ Bizzon

Each one of these artists has some thing special that inspires me, but one thing they all have taught me is to be true to the music and vibes that you love. When you do that, people really gravitate towards that, they LOVE what they do.

What is your favourite genre to play? Why?

My favorite style of music to play is mashups, anything and everything mashups.

I love Ghetto Funk, Baltimore Club, Top 40 Blends, anything that mixes and mashes up the original, that’s my jam.

What are some of the most memorable events you’ve participated in or streamed?

I have done some streams and some festivals that have been truly fun but I have yet to have that WOW factor moment, Well maybe one, I failed gracefully out of the Redbull 3style about a decade ago (LOL), that was an experience!

What does Team Brisk mean to you?

Friendship and variety, I have met so many cool people and different styles of DJing because of it and I am truly blessed to be on this team.

What’s your favourite thing about DJing on Twitch?

The world wide community and making new friends from different parts of the world. Getting their feedback and input live in the mix is amazing..

What is a challenge you’ve faced as a DJ/streamer?

Honestly, visibility. Even though Twitch is global I truly believe my passion and talent should be shared and enjoyed by more.

I know I have the skill set and the drive and should be out there more, butI just don’t know what that missing piece or secret sauce is. That said, I will continue to strive to be out there pushing my love of music

Do you have any special projects, streams or events you would like to tell us about?

Nothing as of yet. I am slowly building my unique catalogue of remixes mashups and soon original music coming soon.

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out and/or thank?

There are so many first off not to sound cheesy, but my Mom as without her constant playing of music in the kitchen of our house I would not have experience the music that help influence me early on in life.

My wife who puts up with my drive and excitement and help put me in a proper direction creatively.

My graphic designer friend Dean Cole, that single handily saved my DJ career with a logo rebrand. One that saved me from quitting and inspired a metric ton of creative ideas from his one MILHOUSE style drawing!

And a endless list of djs that have help elevate my drive each time;

DJ Starting From Scratch
DJ Ritz
This Is Jester
DJ Baby Yu
DJ Gates
DJ PPL Move
DJ Maculate
DJ COVA
The Gaff
Askillz
DJ Bizzon

Give us your links!

TikTok
Twitch
Instragram
Mixcloud

For our third featured artist/streamer we are heading to the San Antonio, Texas (U.S) as we introduce to you, Sephi Hakubi!

Where are you from and where are you living now?

I was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and lived there for the first half of my childhood, but then I would end up moving to Coral Springs, South Florida when I turned 9 years old.  I joined the United States Air Force in 2004 was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii, back to Florida, and finally Texas where I have spent the last 11 years in San Antonio.

How did you come up with your DJ name?

I was first called Sephi early in high school and it pretty much stuck; I was named after the Final Fantasy character, Sephiroth but later the name eventually got attributed more to the Tree of Life diagram. Hakubi came a few years later to find a Japanese word to describe my spirit, which translates to “excellence”, or “the best”. Not saying that I am the best but rather I always try to be the best at everything I do and enjoy the journey getting there.

What’s your equipment list?

DJ equipment:
Pioneer DJM-900NXS2
Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS2 (x2)
Linksys SE3005 Gigabit Switch
Pioneer HDJ-X5BT Headphones
Shure PG58 Microphone
Elgato Stream Deck XL
KRK Rokit 5 Monitors

PC HARDWARE
Alienware Aurora R8
Intel Core i9-9900 @ 3.10Ghz
HyperX Fury DDR4 @ 64GB 3200Mhz
nVidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti @ 11GB
Elgato 4K60 Pro Capture Card
Focusrite Clarett 4Pre Audio Interface
Blue Snowball Microphone

CAMERAS
Sony FDR-AX53 4K Ultra HD Handycam
Logitech C922 Pro Stream Webcam

SOFTWARE
StreamElements OBS.Live
Resolume Arena 7

Where did your musical journey begin?

January 1st, 2001 is when I knew I wanted to be involved in the Electronic Music community.  I was 14 years old and living in Coral Springs, Florida when I saw a random and ambiguous advert to tune into 93.1FM. I forgot to tune in as the ball dropped but I remember tuning in that afternoon and my first song that I would hear on that station was “I’ll Fly With You (Bla Bla Bla Remix)” by Gigi D’Agostino, which I thought was the most beautiful song I’ve heard at the time. Soon after I’ve heard other very beautiful tunes like “I See Right Through To You” by DJ Encore & Engelina, “Rapture” by Iio, “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie Minogue, “Nothing But You” by Paul van Dyk, “Feel the Beat” by Darude, and “Traffic” by Tiesto. From there I knew that I loved dance music and would listen to Party 93.1FM religiously, the station being dubbed “South Florida’s Pure Dance Channel. I would continue to listen to it on the internet after I moved to Hawaii following Air Force Basic Training and Tech School.

What made you decide to take up DJing?

I really love dance music and I wanted to be more involved than just listening to it and going to raves. I actually didn’t get to start DJing until 2006 when I lived in Hawaii as that’s when I got my hands on a Hercules DJ Console and learned what I could on my first controller.  That same year, I attended my first Anime convention in Honolulu called Kawaii Kon where I learned raves take place at conventions, then and there I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  I would later go on to play major Anime events and conventions like Fandom Con, San Japan, Ikkicon, Realms Con, Okashicon, Mechacon, Anime Oklahoma, and many more.

What are some of your interests/hobbies/passions outside of streaming/DJing?

I love Anime and have been watching Japanese animation since the 1990s, with Sailor Moon being my first anime series and then getting hooked with Dragon Ball and Ronin Warriors (originally Samurai Troopers). Anime later exploded into a pop-culture that involved cosplay, Japanese-pop music (J-Pop), and interest in Japanese culture overall.  I also enjoy computer technology and am very interested in Cybersecurity and DevSecOps.

When did you start streaming on Twitch?

I want to say my first official Twitch show was on KILLSCREENdj’s channel for the Avalanche Virtual Festival in the Spring of 2020 followed by a few other virtual festivals on my label HakubiVerse’s channel but since the beginning of 2021, I would almost always stream exclusively on SephiHakubi.  

Is there anything you really hope to accomplish in your life, whether it be related to music or not?

Although I’ve had and still have great success playing nightclubs opening for major artists across America, I’d love to focus more on anime events and eventually play conventions like Project A-Kon, Sakura-Con, Metrocon, Dragon Con, AnimeNext, Colossalcon etc. My ultimate dream would be to headline what is considered the Wrestlemania of anime conventions, Anime Expo in Los Angeles, especially since this event almost always falls on my birthday. I could probably retire the next day and be happy with my life and not worry about playing something like EDC or Ultra!

Who are some of your favourite streamers? Why?

Ok, I definitely need to start with DJBrisk.  I’ve been a DJ for 16 years and listened to dance music for about 21 years and I thought I’ve heard it all. I found out about DJ Brisk through a virtual Twitch festival that some of my friends were playing at the start of the COVID pandemic and I stumbled onto Brisk’s channel.  I found out that he spins Trance, Hardcore, House, and Drum & Bass etc and would discover tunes that I haven’t heard of in a long time, and in some cases, ever like Old Skool. I would describe DJ Brisk as my rave teacher and reminds me so much of my mentor and best family-friend, Shawn Jackson, who’s a Texas legend in his own right.  Other favorites music streamers I enjoy watching are SK of SpinSpinSuper, DJBrady, Jimnicricket, AliceofSin, Hartshorn303, DJPepperJackJack303, djdtor, HazelZen, DarkstarrDJ, EDHIEDWARD, DJ_Kzar & DJ_JNote, DJ_Chef_Nguyen, djranz1989, Dj_Tynam0, Dj_Kaleo, HardcorePLUR, BrentSin, KILLSCREENdj, Sebris, MidnightSnacksFM, Protohippy, Baeritoki, Signs89, and DJCosine. As far as anyone else, I’d kick back and enjoy IcepickXIII, WastelanderTerra, Crumbreon, levanmarie, and EBroxas72. If nothing else, I’ll tune into OnlyMXC to have Most Extreme Elimination Challenge for ambience. 😀

What is your favourite genre to play? Why?

Happy Hardcore and Trance as those were the two genres that defined what a real rave was for me as that’s what was played when I went out to raves in the late 2000s and early 2010s. I would especially play it if it’s in Japanese. For my Trance fans, check out Cyber Trance and all the Ayumi Hamasaki Cyber Trance Remixes from the early 2000s.

What are some of the most memorable events you’ve participated in or streamed?

The best show I ever played may have been when I headlined Realms Con 2017 in Corpus Christi, Texas.  I’ve attended Realms Con a few years prior to my debut and every time I’ve gone, I was always welcomed with PLUR with no bad vibes found anywhere.  I also enjoyed that my team from Hard Dance Texas and I made San Antonio history by booking Fracus & Darwin for the first ever Nation of the Nightkids in 2019. San Antonio never had a major Hardcore act until that night of July 12th, 2019.  As far as memorable streams, I’m not sure if I have what I call “defining moments” but I loved when I organized and streamed “Nation of the Nightkids Online” (Okashicon’s Virtual Rave), and “Dream Drop Revolution Online” (Realms Con’s Virtual Rave), both with all-star DJs and live-performers. I do have all of Dream Drop Revolution Online saved on the HakubiVerse file share for my Twitch Subscribers, which can be accessed following these instructions: https://sephihakubi.com/hakubiverse-vip/

What does Team Brisk mean to you?

Dom Toretto can tell you.

It was not too long ago that I recently got ‘made’ into Team Brisk but I’ve been around what I’ve called my family for almost 2 years.  I’ve mentioned that I consider DJ Brisk my rave teacher and it’s always some kind of school session whenever I tune in.  Interesting that I actually know and have worked with my “classmates” prior to me officially joining Team Brisk and it was this community that united us all. I have still yet to get familiar with many of the other members but  I hope one day I get to play alongside all the members somewhere. I know Seattle has (had) a Summer Lovin’ Hardcore Campout featuring many Team Brisk DJs. I’ve fought many battles whether it’d be for my country, for my scenes, or simply against haters and misfortune, but whether I am a member or when I was an associate hanging out on Discord, Team Brisk has always been the one place that I actually feel safe.

What’s your favourite thing about DJing on Twitch?

Twitch has allowed me to do something creatively that I love and I express it on their platform.  I also love the technology aspect of Twitch and like to tweak overlays and settings to deliver the best possible experience.  Twitch also helps me keep in touch with friends that express themselves and are welcome to interaction where I wouldn’t otherwise know if they’re available to be interactive. I believe streaming has done wonders to give introverts a chance to express themselves on their terms and despite me being a big party animal, there are times where I have trouble leaving my house and being sociable.

What is a challenge you’ve faced as a DJ/streamer?

I am a very versatile DJ and like to play many genres however, I understand I have fans that only come for one or two of those genres and fall off when I don’t play what they expect.  Furthermore, I want to get back into video games but I don’t want to pigeonhole myself into one genre or series and like to try out many games, especially indie games.  I do love Japanese RPGs and it’s safe to say I’ll spend my time on those but I may divide what I play into blocks so that there’s a little bit more consistency in the genre of games I play.  As far as my DJ streams, I’ve compromised on playing House and Trance one week and Hard Dance on alternating weeks.

Do you have any special projects, streams or events you would like to tell us about?

I’m spending some time this year working on House music and I’m on target for releasing “Kaizen”, which is due around October this year.  HakubiVerse is also going to be hosting the 4th San AnTokyo: A Night in Crystal San AnTokyo anime rave on August 6th in San Antonio, Texas featuring fellow Team Brisk member and Hardcore legend, Jimni Cricket.  I’ll also be celebrating my 36th birthday with a Twitch ‘stream-a-thon’ kicking on Thursday, June 30th at 10PM CDT. I will commence regular gaming streams July 15th on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays (although I haven’t decided what to play yet, suggestions are welcome!). I’m also down for any raid trains that anyone wants me to take part in, please let me know.

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out and/or thank?

First and foremost my wife and partner whether it’d be in business or battle, Amethyst Hakubi, who’s worked so hard keeping me sane and somehow making nice out of tough situations. Of course Shawn Jackson who I never expected that he would be friends with a nobody like me, let alone become my mentor and who I’d look up to as an older brother or father-figure. Also to promoters that I’ve worked with in my almost two-decade career, Elmo Ramos, Alana Young, Donnie Wilson, Shane Quade, Protohippy and Leah, Simba Esqueleto, Max Shafer, Melissa Henderson, Stan Dahlin, Javier Torres, Brian Deharo (DJ Cosmic), Alex Eidson, and Marlon Stodghill (Rave in Paradise) for believing in me and giving me the chances to bring the Pure Dance Renaissance wherever I can. Finally my fellow mates in Texas keeping raves real here: Sebris, Eduardo Serrano, Brandon Legacy, Baeritoki, Raulie Smilez, Tynam0, Timebomb, Eric Monster, Prblmz, Gilbert Carrizales, Signs, Kaos The Spacecadet, Pamdemonium, Pinky, Armani Berlin, Planetari, GeneviveXO (fka Miss Genafire), Kawaii Club, Reno, Pearl Grey, DJ R.O.C.K.M.A.N., Elevon, DJ Flex NY (who I swore was featured on a flyer with Brisk way back in the day), Mighty Monkz, Josiah “DLo” Lopez, Kevin Brown, G-Hound, Munark, Jazzy, Burst, Sunbro, Blanche, C-Squared/Duck.E, and of course the JDS Lasers and Fat Stream crews.  I really enjoyed this crazy adventure and everyone I’ve met along the way and hope to continue on these adventures for a very long long time. Bless!

Give us your links!

Twitch
Website
Linktree
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Soundcloud
Mixcloud
Spotify
YouTube
HakubiVerse
Discord

Introducing a new, weekly feature in which we delve into the wealth of talent that reside on the number one stream team on Twitch, Team Brisk. 

For our second featured artist/streamer we are heading to the Sydney, Australia as we introduce to you, the one and only Rallen!

Where are you from and where are you living now?

Born and bred in Sydney & currently living here.

How did you come up with your DJ name?

Rallen was always my nickname at school (It’s my first and last name combined) and it just stayed with me my whole life. Seems only fitting to have made it my DJ name as well.

What’s your equipment list?

Decks: XDJ-RX2
Headphones: Sennheiser HD-25
Mic: Sennheiser XS1
Monitors: KRK Rokit 3’s
Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Webcam: Logitech Streamcam & Logitech webcam C920 
Lights: Nanoleaf canvas
Streaming PC:
CPU: Ryzen 3900X
GPU: AMD 5600XT
RAM: 32GB @ 3200 mhz

Plants: Bunnings(!) 

Where did your musical journey begin?

I was about 15 when I first found a love for dance music. I remember listening to all the old Ministry of Sound albums religiously. When I was 16 and first started going to house parties, I would always be the first one to plug the good old iPod shuffle into the aux and put any of these albums on! It was around this time I started to discover hard dance as well and became hooked. I just knew from here music would always be a passion of mine because of how amazing it made me feel. 15 years later I still listen to these tunes and still get goosebumps.

What made you decide to take up DJing?

It was around 2015 a mate started to teach me how to mix as I always wanted to learn. From there I would do some bedroom Djing and practice wherever I could. It wasn’t until 2018 that I decided I really wanted to pursue Djing and hope to make something out of it. I practiced as much as possible and actually entered a random DJ comp at Candy’s Apartment in Kings Cross for a hard dance night. I actually did pretty well and the promoter at the time decided to book me again for a club night. From there on I started getting more opportunities to play at clubs around Sydney, including the famous Masif Nightclub. 

What are some of your interests/hobbies/passions outside of streaming/DJing?

Long walks on the beach & punching on at the pub…. Nah just kidding! I’m actually completing my Bachelor of Nursing at the moment and have one year to go. It takes up the majority of my time but I am passionate about it as I want to help people and hopefully save some lives one day.

Other hobbies when I have the time include traveling, sleeping, cooking, gym and spending time with my partner and friends.

When did you start streaming on Twitch?

September 2021, right in the peak of Sydney’s 4 month COVID lockdown. I am so glad I decided to do it as I could keep doing what I was passionate about as well as stay creative and most importantly connect with some incredible people from all around the world.

Is there anything you really hope to accomplish in your life, whether it be related to music or not?

Unrelated to music, I want to graduate and hopefully land a role as an ICU nurse. From here I hope to progress to somewhere in my career where I am incredibly proud of myself and the work I do.

Music related, I want to start to produce more of my own music, continue to get DJ gigs (hopefully internationally one day) and also to grow as a streamer and keep the passion alive.

Who are some of your favourite streamers? Why?

So many streamers to shoutout!! But some of my favourites include:

DJ Brisk (bossman, of course!), Violit TV, Char, Elhornet, DJ Magic Mike, Simon Sayz, SytryxMusic, MrRelax80, Somna, DubzieTV, Ben3h, HeyItsIpo, DJ Skittlez, DJ Brady, Krystal Ravegirl – just good vibes always.

What is your favourite genre to play? Why?

I am known as a hard dance DJ and my main genre is Hardstyle (mainly the classics), but I love to throw down a House set every now and then. I actually want to do a regular weekly House stream when my schedule allows me.

What are some of the most memorable events you’ve participated in or streamed?

Although I feel I’m relatively new to streaming and haven’t been able to be a part of many events, one of the most memorable was the Brisk 50th Birthday raid train. It was awesome to be part of such an amazing event full of incredible Team Brisk streamers. I was also new to Team Brisk at this moment so it was great to meet the team and connect with them.

What does Team Brisk mean to you?

My favourite thing about Team Brisk has to be its amazing community, that being the streamers and all the regular viewers! Everyone is so supportive and it really does feel like a team working together to help one another! Secondly, I love the diversity, you really do get any and every style of music! I really do get emotional when I talk about Team Brisk, I have made so many friends and been given so many opportunities to expand on twitch because of it and I will always be so grateful. 

What’s your favourite thing about DJing on Twitch?

Definitely the community. The amount of amazing people from all over the world I have met through mine and other channels is insane. I also love that I can play whatever genre I feel like and get creative in ways I wouldn’t be able to do if I were DJing live. There is no pressure or negativity, just lots of fun! I also love how much I’ve learnt in terms of the tech part of twitch. Definitely not a tech head so I’m proud of myself, haha.

What is a challenge you’ve faced as a DJ/streamer?

Definitely tech issues, whether it being on my end or something that’s out of my power! It’s hard when you’re doing a great stream then you randomly get cut off and can’t get back. I remember finding myself in tears in the first month I streamed because my camera died and couldn’t get it back on lol. As a DJ I think another challenge is constantly trying to stay relevant and interesting all whilst being your unique self. What I’ve learnt from this is you should never compare your journey to others and keep doing you!

Do you have any special projects, streams or events you would like to tell us about?

Right now I’m really just focusing on growing my channel and getting a consistent stream going when I get a break from studying which is very soon. I am hoping to do a 1k follower celebration as well in a couple of weeks so stay tuned.

I will also be DJing at a live event in Sydney on July 23rd for anyone in the area who is keen for some hard dance! Ticket info here: www.HWFG.com.au 

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out and/or thank?

TEAM BRISK! Especially Brisk himself and Char for inviting me to the team and believing in me. A special shoutout to my fellow hard dance queen, Violit TV for her amazing support and helping me grow my channel. So many raids with huge viewers and I am so grateful for it. Definitely my partner Lewis who helped me set up my stream on day one and would help with tech support until I understood everything. To this day he still helps me with tech issues and helps me make my stream better 😛

And just a big thank you to everyone who has supported and watched my streams. Whether it’s been from day one to now. Thank you so bloody much xx

Give us your social links!
Rallen’s Twitch
Rallen’s Instagram
Rallen’s Facebook
Rallen’s Discord
Rallen’s TikTok

Hi guys! I’ve added a stack of mixes from my Twitch streams to my SoundCloud archive. All of the May & June mixes are uploaded and we are fully up to date for the time being. Enjoy!

Link HERE

Introducing a new, weekly feature in which we delve into the wealth of talent that reside on the number one stream team on Twitch, Team Brisk.

For our first featured artist/streamer we are heading to the East Coast of America as we introduce to you, the one and only DJ Catchison!

Where are you from and where are you living now?

I was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts.  I’m currently living there now with my life partner and nephew.  I also lived in New York for fourteen years.

How did you come up with your DJ name?

My first DJ name was actually Delmar.  I chose it from a video game called California Games on the old Atari 2600. Just saw it and thought the name was cool.  When I started playing in clubs, one of the promoters forgot my moniker and listed me as DJ Curtis and that was the end of Delmar. 

As a producer/remixer, I got the name Midnight Society from a kid’s television show in the 1990s called “Are You Afraid Of The Dark”.  For the first 10-12 years it was myself and my longtime friend Erik Elias.  Now it’s just me.  I also produce under the name Retrotech when I collaborate with my friend Manny Ward.  But now on Twitch most people know me as “djcatchison” which is my first initial and last name put together.

What’s your equipment list?

DJ Setup:
(1) MacBook Pro 13″ (Mid 2016)
(1) Pioneer SVM-1000 Mixer
(2) Native Instruments Kontrol D2 Controllers
(2) Pioneer CDJ 850 Controllers
(2) Denon LC6000 Controllers
(1) Elgato Stream Deck XL
(3) HuddlecamHD USB Cameras
(2) Logitech C922 Webcams
(2) Neumi Atom 4K Media Players
(1) Blackmagic Atem Mini
(1) Samson Q6 Microphone
(1) Numark HF175 Headphones
(1) Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
(1) Presonus Audiobox USB
(1) Zoom H4n Recorder
(1) Native Instruments Audio 10 Sound Card
(1) Inland HDMI 1×2 Splitter
(1) RuiPuo RCA to HDMI Converter / Upscaler
LifX & Nanoleaf Smart Lights & Panels

Computers:
Dell XPS 8930 Desktop, i7-9700, NVIDIA RTX 2060 – Streaming
Dell XPS 8940 Desktop, i7-10700, NVIDIA GTX 1650 – Resolume
PowerSpec AMD Ryzen 5 with Radeon RX 5600 XT – Cameras
All connected via local network via Ethernet and NDI

Software:
Traktor Pro 3.5
Radr.DJ
Resolume Avenue
Triggerfyre
Lumia Stream

Where did your musical journey begin?

My older brother was a DJ long before me and used to do block parties in Boston.  Most of my musical tastes came from him and my older sisters.  Boston also had a lot of great college radio choices in the 80s and 90s.  On weekends I would sit at home and make mixtapes by recording songs from the radio.  Even tried making my own extended mixes of songs using my own record collection.  I had no clue people were actually getting paid money to do what I was doing at the age of thirteen because I envisioned professionals in major studios with expensive gear, and I was using my mother’s stereo system in the living room.

What made you decide to take up DJing?

While attending Salem State College in the 90s, I was wandering around the campus center and accidently stumbled across the college radio station.  WMWM 91.7FM.  I started there with a Saturday morning show playing alternative, indie and electronica mixed in with some random standup comedy records.  Eventually I moved to a weekday slot where I played mostly Hip-Hop (the golden era!) and started to include Reggae Dancehall and House music over time.  From there I started getting into clubs in Boston.

What are some of your interests/hobbies/passions outside of streaming/DJing?

I love old-school video games (8 and 16 bit), especially puzzles and 2D fighters.  I’m also a huge fan of anime, roller coasters, and occasionally like to expand on my cooking skills.  I love traveling and don’t do it ne

When did you start streaming on Twitch?

I was already live streaming on Facebook and Periscope a couple of years before I moved to Twitch.  I first set up my account on Twitch in 2018, but thought it was only for gamers.  I never really used it for music until the start of the pandemic. I wish I knew there was a musical and DJ component to Twitch back in 2018 because I would have been using it a lot sooner.

Is there anything you really hope to accomplish in your life, whether it be related to music or not?

I’ve always wanted to open my own bar/club where I could bring together my love for video games, anime and electronic music together.  There’s still many countries I would like to visit, play and (perhaps) live in for an extended period of time.  Musically, I think I have achieved many things I never thought were possible including a couple of #1 remixes on Billboard but there’s still many other directions I would like to go with production.  I would like to produce a couple of indie rock/pop albums and even some Hip-Hop.  Golden era style with a modern twist.  I’m also enamored by Chillhop and Lo-fi music and would like to diverge in that realm as well.

Who are some of your favourite streamers? Why?

TheDeadpullShow is one of the most twisted and funniest streams on Twitch.  It’s supposed to be an all-request DJ show with a streamer dressed to look like Deadpool, last name changed for legal reasons.  The stream is set up so anyone watching can interrupt the show with complete wackiness and it gets really chaotic very quickly especially when it’s highly encouraged to do so.  You wind up laughing at the insanity every time.

Favorite DJ streamers (and there’s a lot of ’em but I’ll list a few) – Kitsch, TylerJohnston, UndergroundWilma, BirdcageRadio, LiquidTodd, Gabriel&Dresden, SusanEsthera, RickCorbo, DustMitesDisco, DJMarkOxford, DJBrisk (of course!), EXPLOSIVERADIO, Vivacious, DocBrownDJ, DavidTurnerMusic, WamBamHouseJam, DJChrisCraze, RogerSanchez and Ricviera.

What is your favorite genre to play? Why?

I love all styles of House music, but no matter where I go I always come back to Tribal.  African, Latino, Portuguese, Brazilian rhythms always get me going.  Once you have a crowd hooked into a tribal groove, you can go as hard or as deep as you want with the music and the crowd stays for the ride.

What are some of the most memorable events you’ve participated in or streamed?

I loved playing TTF, BirdcageRadio, Non Stop Cox, special event streams for the Amsterdam Dance Event, Winter Music Conference and the SoundGroove Records 15th Anniversary.  Most recently, I’ve done some guest sets for Koncept_k and really enjoyed them.  

What does Team Brisk mean to you?

I’m still relatively new to Teams on Twitch and only been a member of two.  But what I really like about Team Brisk is its diversity.  Just about every style of music you can think of is covered by its roster and you can tell they really love what they do.  Sometimes you can watch a lot of streamers on Twitch, many of which have amazing production and music selections, but not really connect with the personality behind what you see and hear.  That is not an issue with Team Brisk, and my experiences on Twitch are that much better because of it.

What’s your favourite thing about DJing on Twitch?

I get to experiment with different sounds and express myself in ways I usually can’t when I’m performing in person.  Plus I feel as if the people watching and listening are really there for you, unlike some people who just show up to a club/bar because they were told it was the place to be. 

What is a challenge you’ve faced as a DJ/streamer?

Like most things with computers, there’s always something new and exciting to learn.  Twitch has so many creative people that inspire me to go further, and many times I wish I could devote more of my time on the platform.  As a DJ, I want to find ways to combine more of my streaming with live gigs.  I’m surprised more venues are not doing that today given all of the available technology and especially with video.  And, of course, I’d love to make it to partner status on Twitch at some point but that’ll take some time.

Do you have any special projects, streams or events you would like to tell us about?

I have been working on a production streaming concept for what seems to be an eternity, and also plan to start gaming on Twitch at some point.  I’m also looking to reboot Mainframe, which was my industry party/event before the pandemic and a streaming concept I played with on Twitch for a little bit.  I’m also attending TwitchCom Amsterdam this July.

Is there anyone you’d like to shout out and/or thank?

Much love to my extended music family who have been with me throughout this crazy ride of mine, both on and off the dance floor – Rick Corbo (rickcorbo on Twitch), Erik Elias, Bass Rokwell, Manny Ward, Jeffrey Cheng, Elliott Matos, Benjamin Aillery, David Ohana Aviance, Breeze Godfrey, Paul Thomas, Susan Esthera (susanesthera on Twitch), DJ Deanne, Tommy Styles (aka EXPLOSIVERADIO), Reginald Johnson, Twisted Dee, Joshua D, Cee Vox… to many of the wonderful new people I have met through Twitch – ZiyahXO, Gualtier Malde, Will Silvano, UndergroundWilma, RainbowLacesMusic, ItsRene, Benji Bradshaw, Ronnie Bruno, Felicia Viliani… to all the past and current members of my weekly raid trains – HighFiveWednesdays, the QuadSquad and the Sunday Funday… to DJ Friktion, BrewMonkey, DocBugLove and the rest of the crew at 102 DLG Radio in Orlando… to all the artists and talent on SGR… I know I’m missing names and could be here forever shouting and thanking people!   🙂

Give us your social links!

Midnight Society Website
Soundgroove Records Website
DJ Catchison Twitch Page
Full Social List (and more!)