10 - The University Star
Local DJ spins his Deck right round
TRENDS/MUSIC
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Featured artist
BY AMELIA JACKSON MUSIC REPORTER Dustin Kinney may be young, but he has already accomplished a lot. His weekly radio show, Deck Support, which brings DJs to spin in the studio in Old Main, has been on the air for almost one year. He has organized (and funded) two park parties and a three-event showcase of electronic music on campus. He also plays gigs as often as he can and has CDs available at Alien Records in Austin. Angela Maldonado, KTSW program manager and mass communication senior, said she was impressed with Kinney’s drive. “Dustin is a real showman. He really puts himself out there,” she said. “I think it’s amazing how he puts so much energy into promoting something that he loves.” The 20-year-old electronic media junior learned the craft of being a DJ from his dad when he was still in high school. “My dad was a mobile DJ when he was younger, playing roller skating rinks, house parties and weddings,” Kinney said. “One day, he came into my room and told me he was looking for a place to set up his turntables.” Kinney has been mixing records on his dad’s original Technics SL-1200 MK2’s ever since. “Dustin is a determined and well-versed person,” said his father, Mike Alleman. “He loved the music and, when I brought out the turntables from storage a n d
showed him how it was done, he latched on. So much so that his friends will tell you he disappeared for months while he worked on perfecting his mixing skills. In a few months I gave up on competing with him as he had surpassed my mixing skills by miles.” His sole purpose for the radio show and for throwing the parties is to bring recognition to local, lesser-known talent, said his long-time girlfriend Kristina Hite. “Electronic music is Dustin’s life,” Hite said. “He is completely wrapped up in it. Not only is it a hobby and a passion, it’s what he’s going to school for.” The passion he feels for music is evident when Kinney talks about records, spinning and DJs. “House music appeals to me because it’s more about breakdowns than build-ups,” he said. “I get so excited about the sounds (in house). I love the muted trumpet or the short, staccato key-board sounds.” Tonight will be the last of three showcases Kinney has brought to the LBJ Student Center Basement this semester. While the other events focused on breaks, techno, drum and bass, tonight’s show is all about house music. Kinney, or Kadabra his performance alias, will be playing along side fellow house DJ Patrick Kelley, applied sociology senior. Kinney cites Austin DJ Coy West as being one of his biggest musical influences. “I didn’t get into the style I play now until I picked up a Coy West tape,” he said. “It really opened my eyes to what I can do with music. It’s intelligent. You don’t need whistles and bells and you don’t have to have a lot of buildups.” Other musical inspiration has come from
Bublé has fans flying with him on new CD
Chicago legends Doc Martin and Derek Carter and fellow Texan JT Donaldson of Dallas. “Those guys are much more subtle,” he said. “They really work up to playing their best tracks.” Although every DJ feels different tracks more at different times, Kinney has a few stand-bys that never leave his record bag. Those favorites include Blaze’s “My Beat,” a Derek Carter remix that he said he has had forever, Pedal Pusher’s “Surrender,” which is a Naked Music track and Toka Project’s “Let It Go.” “I’m really trying new combos right now, but it’s difficult,” Kinney said. “My favorite record at this time is Hydroponic Sound System’s Hydroclash. It’s a JT Donaldson remix with short staccato keys, a big bass line and a jazzy song.” Other than tonight’s showcase, which begins at 8:30 p.m., upcoming gigs for Kinney include a Danny the Wildchild show at Nuno’s Nightclub May 1 and a possible show in June still being finalized. More information about Kinney can be found at www.decksupport.com.
If you miss great crooners like Sinatra, chances are you will truly appreciate Michael Bublé’s new CD/DVD combo. While the CD is a bit paltry, the DVD is packed with great live versions of songs like “Come Fly with Me,” “Mack the Knife” and “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.” Bublé, who hails from our great northern neighbor Canada, has the ability to tug at your heartstrings when he sings songs such as “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Once he begins singing “Fever,” the man’s talent shines like the star he is. The CD/DVD combo is all done live, horns blaring and crowds screaming. The DVD has a “Play All” ability, which lets you sit in while Bublé and the band talk about their lives on the road between renditions of classic songs. A quick punch of the Chapter Select button on your DVD remote lets you skip to the next song on the DVD. The DVD is great because it gives some insight on what Bublé thinks about his newfound fame and the admiration he gets from them, especially the women. The members of the band and Bublé are quick to let the audience know they are grateful for all of the traveling they get to take part in, especially since they get to play music they love. The DVD also has a “Bonus
music REVIEW ««««
Michael Bublé Come Fly With Me Reprise
Videos” section, with songs like “The Way you Look Tonight” and “For Once in My Life.” While some of the tracks on the CD mimic those on the DVD, there is still a good mix of classics that will please your ears from both. If it weren’t for the meager amount of songs on the CD, I would rate Come Fly With Me with a full five stars. Unfortunately, I’m left with a yearning for more of his crooning after the eight-track CD. Switching on the DVD player is an inconvenience that I wish wasn’t an issue when listening to this CD. This is a great cocktail party CD and the DVD is even more fun to play during a swanky soirée or if you are just in the mood for some great music late at night, possibly with a loved one. Bublé has been all over the mainstream, appearing on such networks as E! and singing carols on the Today show during Christmas. If you can remember far back enough, Bublé was also featured on the Down With Love soundtrack. — Terry Martinez