Photo by Alexx Conroy
DJ Spun grew up around records before he ever touched a mixer. His parents had the hi-fi, the collection, and the taste, and by grade school he and his brother were already digging. Over a career spanning the punk era, the early San Francisco underground, and 18 years in New York, the cities shaped his sound:. SF gave him the philosophical frame. Chicago changed how he mixes. New York gave him the advanced degree. What he brought out of all of it is an approach rooted less in genre and more in hospitality, so he performs more like a musical host in the tradition of David Mancuso and the Loft. Interview by Ken Woodard.
Ken Vulsion: Records are magic. What drew you to records before DJing?
DJ Spun: Luckily my parents loved music, had an amazing record collection, and fairly advanced taste. So for as long as I can remember there was always a nice hi-fi system and music in the air. Records had always been there, and my brother and I had already started collecting by the time we entered grade school.
Do you still get nervous before playing?
Not really in the same way as when I started. I always try to be prepared and have something fresh to bring to every set. If I am at all “nervous” I spend extra time and energy to be prepared and at my best, mentally and physically. Extra sleep in advance, extra music, etc. so I can be a little extra…
What’s the longest you’ve searched for a single record?
I lost track of how long I was searching for it, but there is a track called “AM-FM” by Natasha King, that was by far my longest hunt for a record, 15- 20 years. I didn’t know the song title or artist: It was on a mixtape I had of Afrika Bambaata & Jazzy Jay on Kiss FM in NYC (possibly a live broadcast from the Roxy). Jazzy Jay kept mixing the bonus beat with all these songs as well as the original. I played the tape over and over and asked so many of my DJ & b-boy friends to no avail, but finally found it by accident on Discogs in the late 2000s while looking up another release on the same label.
Are DJs in the hospitality industry?
I would most definitely say yes! I consider myself as a musical host, much in the same tradition of David Mancuso and his Loft parties. So a big part of the mission is to make partygoers and dancers feel at home. That being said, this doesn’t mean you can order off the menu. While suggestions are welcome, the musical meals I prefer serving and eating are “Omakase”.
Which city has most influenced your sound?
I’d have to say San Francisco in a philosophical way: The city has such a rich psychedelic history and was one of the final frontiers for all kinds of outsiders since the gold rush of 1849. The beatniks, hippies, the gay community, and the DIY punk rock scene each played a big part in my musical and philosophical ethos. All the late nights listening to Bay Area radio stations was a big influence as well.
Visiting Chicago and seeing the way those guys mix and go from disco to track music to techno with the same energy and vibe (thanks Mystic Bill) definitely changed me and my approach to DJ’ing.
But living in NYC for close to 18 years, I think that is where I got my advanced degree in musicology. There are just so many amazing DJ’s, producers, and musicians, as well as so many extremely knowledgeable heads and unbeatable access to records.
What’s one genre you think deserves more attention?
I generally try to steer clear of genre. But I will say, instrumental music.
Favorite romantic DJ dinner?
Pappardelle from our dear friend Gianfranco’s now defunct restaurant, Mangiami. This tiny spot was home and served as our local clubhouse for years, with chill to rowdy vibes spilling out in the street from aperitivo to surprise late night afterhours sessions with the gate down. It was our “Cheers,” a who’s who of the international disco and house scenes and a throwback to the NYC downtown scene of old with a great mix of music, art, and fashion people. In retrospect, the guestlist of people who ate, hung out, or played music there is too insane to get into.
But fav NYC label Golf Channel did put together, La Compilation. A fantastic comp featuring the Loose Control Band and the Mangiami family, with a CD version mixed by Tony Humphries, that opens with our song “Doin It”.
As someone coming from the punk era, what feels new now?
There is still so much music that I don’t know about, so I’m finding new stuff all the time.
Music and culture are constantly evolving. Punk was pretty different at the time but, in retrospect, you can see the connection to the blues, rock-n-roll, folk music, etc. Electronic music was really different when it came out because people didn’t have those types of instruments before. Techno then threw out a lot of musical rules in the same way jazz did in the modern era.
I guess what seems new to me is having access to an unlimited amount of incredible music and can even make your own. All you need is your cell phone or a computer. It’s incredible.
What have you learned from younger DJs?
I learn from every DJ I get to listen to! I have always had the viewpoint that the artists don’t get enough credit, so I always share my knowledge or will share a “track ID” with most anyone who asks. I feel lucky to have some younger DJ friends that have great taste and share fantastic music made by younger artists that I haven’t yet found out about.
T-Shirt you wish you still had?
My Mitchell Brothers, O’Farrell Theater/Hunter S. Thompson “The Crazy Never Die” Ralph Steadman collab long sleeve T.
DJ Spun – Unedited
Al Diaz – What’s in a Name (TSC Remix)
Daniel Wang DSDN (303 city dub)
Rude 66 – Die Starke Der Vernichtenden Schläge
Two Sisters – High Noon (Disconet Remix)
Dolby’s Cube – Get Out of My Mix (Special Disco Version)
La Palace De Beaute – Outer Space
eLBeeBAD – history & his story lies
Frankie Bones – Another Place, Another Time
Adam x – Revolution (2026 Kick Drum Enhanced Version)
Damon Wild – Human Lineage
Floppy Sounds – Ultrasong (Studio B Mix)
Baruka – Play it Loud
DJ Fitness – Get Swole feat., Bugzmain
ctrl+opt – Rock, Don’t Stop
DJ Fitness – Out of Order feat. Sensational
Cable Toy – Mufonyala (Instrumental)
Riva Starr feat Zion – Take Up The Space
LDF & Rahaan – Summer of 85
LDF & Tilman – Do What You Like
The Fog – Been A Long Time
