Needle Exchange: A DJ Questionnaire with DJ ATM

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

IMAGE: Courtesy of DJ ATM.

Years DJing: Been DJing for 20 years, playing out for about 18 or so.

Genres: Hip-hop, funk, soul, breaks, downtempo.

Where you can catch me regularly: Every first Friday of the month at Swift; second Fridays at Vault Martini; every second Sunday on KBOO from 8 to 10 pm for 1,2 1,2; and, starting July 10, once a month at Dig A Pony for the return of Motown on Mondays.

Craziest gig: About 10 years ago, I was on the road with my man TOPR from the Bay and we were toward the end of the tour. We were playing in Seattle, I don't remember the name of the venue, but there was this gnarly smell on the stage by the decks. Turns out it was a dead rat that was underneath me while I was playing. We banged out our set, and the show was a blast—minus the smell.

My go-to records: Latyrx, "Lady Don't Tek No"; Eric B and Rakim, "Don't Sweat the Technique"; Prince, "Erotic City"; Serge Severe, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" and "Bring the Horns."

Don't ever ask me to play…: I don't take requests usually, but I have to say that Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It" is one, along with "Return of the Mack." Those songs are hella corny to me.

NEXT GIG: DJ ATM spins at Swift Lounge, 1932 NE Broadway St., on Friday, June 2. 10 pm.

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.