OUT
Music makes the people come together
The hazy, crazy life of Lawrence DJs
KIT LEFFLER
At 7 p.m. on a warm Saturday, Edwin Morales gear up for an electronic music DJ set at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. The crowd goes wild during Morales' two-hour set. At 9 p.m., Morales packs his records, his mixer and his turntables and jets off for another gig in Kansas City, Mo.
At midnight, his hip-hop set at club Kabal, 503 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo., ends, and he's off on the road again to northern Kansas City to spin at a house party.
At 3 a.m. fatigue hits him hard.Morales packs his turntables and House Music records to drive back to Lawrence for one final gig at another house party. He wraps up at 6 a.m.
Morales was so tired that he fell asleep at the wheel on the way home."I woke up and barely missed hitting a guardrail on Highway 70,"he says."I was lucky."
The life of a DJ often seems to be all clubs, drugs, girls and parties. It's hard to understand the tremendous amount of effort, commitment and chaos a DJ goes through on a daily basis. The lives of DJs are complicated. But dedication keeps them doing it for years.
Morales, also known as DJ Konsept, began
spinning records in 1998. He says he's had his share of close calls and crazy situations."One time, this drunk girl knocked both of my turntables and my mixer off the unstable wooden table I was spinning on,"
Morales says, "I basically caught both turntables, one in each hand, and had to use my crotch to keep the mixer from falling and banging the tile floor."
Morales is not the only one who's had a close call. Lawrence DJ Tim Ruck recounts one night when all hell broke loose. Last year, he and his roommate, Daniel Oburn, spun records for 200 people at their house. "I didn't expect that many damn people to show up, and the cops came and busted the whole thing pretty quick," Ruck says.
His girlfriend, Toni Keener, recalls the night vividly. It was her 21st birthday and she spent it telling people to keep it down, she says.
AVERAGE COST OF DJ EQUIPMENT
Turntables $500 each
"I had to help protect the turntables from being knocked over by dozens of people." Keener says. "But, I support what Tim does."
Mixers
$200
Headphones
$150
Ruck and Osburn were cited with noise violations by the Lawrence Police Department
Speakers
$300
that night.
hop. But it is extremely difficult to establish a regular spot at a venue, Ruck says.
One primary reason is that the Midwest electronic music scene remains so spread out that it's difficult to get a
Ruck, Overland Park sophomore, says that throwing DJ house parties is worth the risk. "I've had my records stolen, drunk girls puking on my living room floor, and don't get paid squat for spinning, but I love it so much."
Lawrence is full of up-and-coming talent in all music genres, especially electronic and hip
consistent crowd.
Ruck says a lot of promotion planning and networking are required to throw an event that draws a large audience. He has spun records at the Granada and Abe & Jakes, and is currently working with Daniel Osburn on Thursday evenings at EightOneFive Cafe and Nightclub.
Osburn, Newton senior, feels the same way about hosting and promoting club events. Osburn began spinning records three years ago and has since faced a constant challenge of grabbing people's attention.
"But, it's totally worth it," Osburn says. "Nothing makes me happier than throwing down tracks that people can groove to." Osburn remains hopeful that his night at EightOneFive will be a success.
Jeff Singer, owner of EightOne Five and a DJ, admires Ruck and Osburn's dedication to the electronic music scene. Singer says he has tremendous respect
for both of them."There are a lot of DJs in Lawrence, but only a few good ones, and Tim and Dan are excellent," he says.
Lawrence nightlife has changed in Singer's 18 years of DJ-ing, he says, but he's optimistic about new (and old) music fans attending his club in the future.
Kristin Doeblin, Wichita alumna, is one such fan. She says she frequently attends hip-hop and electronic music shows in both Lawrence and Kansas City. "I'm all about supporting the local shows around Lawrence," Doeblin says. "I love the fact that I live in such a diverse college town, not just culturally, but musically."
Ruck, Osburn, and Morales share one passion: They love music and love to make people dance. So, the next time you see any of these guys spinning records, remember that each pushes through late nights, noise citations and wild drunks to make you move and groove.
LAWRENCE VENUES HOSTING DJ EVENTS
Abe & Jakes
8 E.6<sup>th</sup> St.
DJ Scottle Mac:Saturdays; 18+ $5
EightOneFive Cafe and Nightclub
EightOneFive Care and Nightclub 815 New Hampshire St.
Exhale: Thursdays with DJs Ruckus and That Man Dan
DJ Cyncere: Fridays and Saturdays; 21+ $2
1016 Massachusetts St.
Table Manners w/DJ Konsept: Tuesdays; 21+ $2
Fatso's
Granada
1020 Massachusetts St.
Neon 80s Night w/DJ Konsept:Thursdays; 18+
$3
Liquia
806 W.24 $^{th}$ St.
Go:Monthly DJ Event:First Saturday of each month;18+ Cover varies
Liquid
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