Needle Exchange: A DJ Questionnaire with DJ Sureshot

His go-to records, his craziest gig, and the music you should never ask him to play.

By Matthew Singer
(George Barberis)

Years DJing: Since 1986.

Genre: Rare soul, funk, reggae, psych, disco, jazz, hip-hop.

Where you can catch me regularly: Every Friday night at the Wayback for Soundbwoy Souldies—funky lovers reggae meets lowrider sweet soul on vinyl.

Craziest gig: DJing with Boy George in London at a club called the Wag in 1994. He DJed a killer reggae roots and dub set, which totally caught me off guard. He's super-knowledgeable about music and a nice guy. It was a really great and crazy party.

My go-to records: The Chosen Few, "In the Rain"; the Webs, "It's So Hard to Break a Habit"; Andra Day, "Forever Mine"; Starvue, "Body Fusion."

Don't ever ask me to play…: John Legend (annoying voice), Coldplay (boring) or any trap or Top 40 Auto-Tune BS. Go sit in your car if you don't like what I play.

SEE IT: DJ Sureshot spins at the Wayback, 4719 N Albina Ave., on Friday, April 28.

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Boy GeorgeDJ SureshotDJsdubNeedle ExchangePortland DJsreggaethe Wayback

Matthew Singer

Matthew Singer

A native Southern Californian, former Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Singer ruined Portland by coming here in 2008. He is an advocate for the canonization of the Fishbone and Oingo Boingo discographies, believes pro-wrestling is a serious art form and roots for the Lakers. Fortunately, he left Portland for Tucson, Arizona, in 2021.

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