Needle Exchange: A DJ Questionnaire with Daniel Slay Lewis

Years DJing: About two years, officially. Historically, I was always much more interested in creating my own music, but whenever I was on tour and there needed to be something playing at a venue, I'd always be the one to throw something on. I didn't take DJing that seriously until I started spinning for the Rose City Rollers, since I wanted to be more involved with the league and that was the best way I could show my support. Since then, my DJ career has just grown exponentially.

Genre: Punk, post-punk, darkwave, synth pop, New Wave.

Where you can find me regularly: Spinning bouts for the Rose City Rollers derby league, and my reoccurring nights at the Lovecraft Bar.

Craziest gig: My craziest gig to date was probably this televised roller-derby tournament down in Eugene. There were hundreds of people in the stands for the finale, and the volume level in there was sheer insanity. I was redlining for the last bout just to be heard over the crowd. At one point, I even remember seeing an entire bleacher section do an impromptu—yet somehow choreographed—dance to "How Will I Know" by Whitney Houston. It was definitely a rush.

My go-to records: New Order, Movement; the Smiths, Meat Is Murder; the Cure, Staring at the Sea; Joy Division, Unknown Pleasures.

Don't ever ask me to play…: Justin Bieber. Aside from the obvious reasons, I was mercilessly heckled by a drunk guest at my first-ever wedding gig to play something by the Biebs. It was nearly unbearable, to the point where I had to ask their friends to step in and get them away from me. I was trying really hard to be personable and polite to everyone, but this person had my patience wearing extremely thin. So yeah, no Bieber for me, please.

NEXT GIG: DJ Daniel Slay Lewis spins at Rose City Rollers presents Wheels of Justice vs. Denver Mile High Club at Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, on Friday, Aug. 12. 8 pm. $14 general admission, $20 reserved seating. All ages.

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