Needle Exchange: A DJ Questionnaire with Survival Skills

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

IMAGE: Courtesy of Aaron Bergeson.
By Matthew Singer

Years DJing: About eight years. The first time spinning out was at Tiga—RIP.

Genres: Varies depending on the gig. I'm a big jazz guy, but I tend to spin a lot of house, electronic and hip-hop.

Where you can catch me regularly: 11 pm to midnight Monday through Thursday on KMHD 89.1 FM. Every third Thursday at Sweet Hereafter starting Jan. 26.

Craziest gig: Nothing too crazy, but my favorite in recent memory was a warehouse Halloween party with a floating DJ booth. I spun mostly 45s that night, and it was a blast.

My go-to records: Anything from Rhythm Section International; Yussef Kamaal, "Black Focus"; Mr. Fingers, Outer Acid EP.

Don't ever ask me to play…: Something off your phone.

NEXT GIG: DJ Survival Skills spins at Sweet Hereafter, 3326 SE Belmont St., on Thursday, Jan. 26. 8:30 pm.

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43.11DJsjazzKMHDNeedle ExchangePortland DJsSurvival SkillsSweet HereafterTiga

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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