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Spin Along with DJ Babu
By Cindy Ferraino

While his musical talents keep him going as a member of the cutting edge hip-hop crews-the Dilated Peoples and the Beat Junkies, DJ Babu (a.k.a. Chris Oroc) continues to heat the LA DJ scene with his own brand of spinning style.

After the popular solo releases of "The Beat Tape Vol. 1" and "Duck Season", DJ Babu is primed to take his talent to the next level in 2010 with his new release "The Beat Tape Vol.2". Under the label of Nature Sounds Records, the soundtrack will be released on February 23, 2010.

Valley Scene Magazine (VSM) caught up with DJ Babu to chat it about what is happening in his career and how he continues to keep with the changes in the hip-hop music industry.

VSM: At what age did you start spinning on the turntables?

DJB: I was a Navy brat and I moved around a lot so when my family settled in LA around 1984, I got a taste of the wild style-guys were spinning cardboard on the street.

I asked my parents for a set of turntables and they couldn't afford them. I worked "shit" jobs and saved up enough money and got my 1st set at the age of 16.

VSM: What is the story behind "Babu"-is it from the '70's cartoon show "Jeannie"?

DJ Babu laughs at this question.

DJB: The cartoon was a little before my time but my nickname is from the show. My friend's older brother would call me that name and said that I looked like "Babu". So the name just stuck.

VSM: It has been over a decade since you inscribed "Babu the Turntablist" on your tapes. How has that moment in time affect your work now?

DJB: Wow…that is a great question. At that time of "Babu the Turntablist, I was living with my mom and working at the gas station. I had raw energy. It inspired me to get my name out there anyway I could. Now, I am still doing the same thing but the difference is I am married and have kids. Back then, I was always looking in the mirrors but now I am blessed to be in this place doing things on my own terms. It is a blessing that I can equal that experience to my life now. Thanks for helping me relive a great memory.

VSM: How do you balance the roles of being an artist and producer?

DJB: It is pretty tough but straight forward. I can't complain about trying to keep a balance-in the studio I am working solo and producing soundtracks like "The Beat Tape", on stage the same thing and in the group it is the same thing. "The Beat Tape Vol. 2" showcases how I am as a DJ and a producer. It is nice being independent because it is exciting. The sky is the limit.

VSM: In your opinion, how has the rise of I-Pods, downloads, etc. changed the future of the music industry?

DJB: It's tricky. The music industry has drastically changed because music is now a promotional tool. With downloads, we can "flood the scene" with our music for those who just want to listen to a few songs. After that, maybe they would want to come see a show. It helps continue to build a relationship with a new fan base. It is more risky when you are independent because you have to do more leg work. Keeping up with technology is a lot of adjustment but rejuvenating at the same time because you are always learning.

VSM: What is it like working for East coast based Nature Records?

DJB: Great. Being with an independent record label gives you the freedom to control your own destiny. We don't have to stress about the business side of the record labels. Indie labels are cutting edge.

VSM: Any events planned for the release of "The Beat Tape Vol. 2"?

DJB: There is cool release party planned in LA. A screening at a private theater will showcase videos on YouTube. Also, there are DJ gigs and a European tour planned.

George Thorogood
By Jonathon Freeman-Anderson

Happy Belated Birthday. How do you feel at 60? "Baaaaad." Does age matter when it comes to rocking? Are your bones as bad as they use to be, or are they worse? "Actually I just had a physical, and my bones are better than ever! This tour kicks off on Johnny Cash's birthday. Louie Deville passed away recently. It seems every year the Blues-rock community is shrinking. For me, to get into this world, it took a long time. I was so appreciative and still am."

So the tour just started, you are known for your busy touring schedule, after recently playing Hollywood, what's the future of this tour look like? "I hope it's different. You never know, every tour is a little different." Is working with the Destroyers; consisting of Billy Blough on bass, Jeff Simon on drums, Jim Suhler on rhythm guitar and Buddy Leach on saxophone going to be as cool or cooler than previous tours and albums? "It's always cool playing with this band." Playing the hits and songs off your latest album "The Dirty Dozen," are you happy with how everything is working? "Oh yeah, I'm real happy. I love playing these songs."

"The World's Greatest Bar Band," is your common known title to fans, what's the vibe been like bar to bar on this time touring? Do you prefer to control the vibe or let the audience affect your energy? "The vibe has always been really good and it's a mixed bag every night. You never know who's going to show up to your show."

In 2009 the band released "The Dirty Dozen, " which paired six new studio recordings with six classic fan favorites, including three popular tracks out-of-print in the U.S., the critics and fans appreciate your hard work it seems, how long do you see yourself producing new music and touring? " I did ok with records, but the live show is where it's at. I've never been bugged too much financially speaking. I always was far from rich, so I honed the thing to make a good living. The first royalty check I got people asked, 'what did I do, buy a Cadillac?' Nope, I went to the dentist."

What is different now being back with Capitol/EMI than before or previous labels? "It's beautiful. I was one of the longest artists with Capitol. I didn't go anywhere. The label stopped. I was still there, like the last man in a burning building, but everybody knows Capitol, sees it in films, and the world. It's a staple for Hollywood and I'm glad to be here."

First single, "Taildragger" is #1 in L.A. and many other cities; it must feel good to be popular in so many areas. "I always wanted to record 'Taildragger,' Filmmakers are like that, where there's always that one project from film school that they always wanted to do. I'm like that with songs and that was one of my opportunities to do it. I'm just glad Led Zeppelin didn't do it first, though, I'm sure they would've done a great job. I think pulling old classic songs out and reviving them as fresh is over. Those days are passed me, anyway. With the internet, now, nothing's obscure. You know?"

How do you feel about the state of music, rock, and the guitar today? Is technology affecting music more positively or negatively? "Technology is both good and bad. No one thought you'd get the TV then there'd be trash all over it or that the telephone would have telemarketers bugging customers all the time. The internet destroyed the record business, but now there are twice as many new listeners because of the accessibility."

Do you assimilate new sounds into your guitar style? How much music do you listen to that affects your sound? "I take what I do and make it better. It's better than it was before. It'll still be George, but a darker shade of black."

How much do you love blues jams? "The world loves blues-rock music." What do you love most about playing the blues guitar? "Would you ever hear someone go into a breakfast joint, ask for eggs, bacon, and coffee, and hear them reply, we don't serve that. Never. Blues is never going away. It's simple, basic, It'll never go away. The public is so used to it. It will never go out of fashion."

Do you have any openers on this tour? If so, who? And how do you like the sound? "Dylan's in Japan. Jeff Beck's busy. Mccartney is out of the question. Surf Asylum is opening. Their like a Dick Dale surf band, like the music from Pulp Fiction."

What would you say to a fellow musician trying to make it right now in the music industry? "It takes hard work. I was 30 when I met the man. Keep doing what you love and putting yourself out there, people will listen."

How do you connect and keep in touch with your fan base? How do you like the way the internet keeps artists in touch with their fans? "Where there's progress there's ups and downs. Like I said, the Internet is good and bad."

Does George Thorogood still get star struck? Is there anyone you'd like to see in the audience at your show? Any musicians or bands out there that you'd like to collaborate with? "Mick, call me. If Jeff bridges calls, I wouldn't mind being in his next movie after he wins the Oscar. You never know whose gonna be there. Sometimes Elwood Dan Akroyd shows up. The day I see Billy gibbons in the audience and don't think that's a thrill, well, is the day it's over for me man"

Any final words of wisdom that you'd like to impart to friends or family? "Don't drink too much coffee. Wear your safety belt, and Stay out of Italian cars. I'm seeing way too many Lamborghinis wrapped around telephone poles lately."

88.5 KCSN, The Music You Want!
By Staff Writer

There's a new sound in town. KCSN FM and HD1 launched a new Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) music format on March 1, 2010. The station began its classical format in 1989 to meet a community need when Classical KFAC went off the air. Twenty years later this public radio station from California State University Northridge is ready to serve a new audience.

Listener-supported KCSN is here to fill a gap on the LA radio dial, where a lot of good music has been missing for a long time. They play songs by artists who pay attention to the craftsmanship of their music such as Norah Jones, The Dave Matthews Band, and John Mayer. They also play music by classic artists such as Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, and The Grateful Dead. In other words, at KCSN, they play the music you want.

On weekdays, KCSN offers a music mix designed to make your commute and your workday more enjoyable. They bring you new and familiar music commercial free. You can even suggest a song and give feedback. The station wants to be part of your community.

On weekend shows, hosted by KCSN volunteers, the station focuses on specific styles of music such as Americana, Folk, and Bluegrass. KCSN has provided the valley with this music for more than forty years. On April 24 and 25, KCSN will broadcast live from the Cowboy Poetry Festival in Santa Clarita. There is still real country music in this town and KCSN is committed to keeping this music alive and well in Los Angeles. You can find out about all of their programming and listen as well by visiting www.KCSN.org.

The station still serves a classical audience. Classical music can be enjoyed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on KCSN HD-2 and through their sister site KCSNClassical.org. Their award winning news programs, provided by the Journalism Department at Cal State Northridge, are also featured on KCSN HD-2.

KCSN is a work in progress. Give 88.5 a button in your car. You can also listen to on your iPhone, iTouch or Blackberry. There are free apps that make this possible. The mobile devices allow you to listen to KCSN anywhere. Check out their web site for all the directions. Join their audience and become a member. KCSN plays the music you want.

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