November 20, 2025 • 28 mins
The DJ Museum Las Vegas
It was a privilege to talk with the Founder of The DJ Museum Las Vegas-Sam Maxion, who graciously shared incredible insights into the world of music!
We dove deep into the craft of DJing—what it truly takes to move a crowd and the importance of knowing your music and your history. We discussed the evolution of culture, tracing the roots of DJing from early radio days to the global phenomenon it is today, and how it continues to shape music and technology.
Finally, we looked ahead to the future of DJs and music. The founder offered a fascinating perspective on how technology (AI) will both challenge and amplify the art form, emphasizing that at its heart, the connection between the DJ and the audience will always be what matters most.
Stay tuned for more updates on this incredible conversation and the museum itself—it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves the beat!
Guest: Sam Maxion, Founder of The DJ Museum, @djmuseumlv
Venue: The DJ Museum 3507 Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas
Photo Credit: The Grind EMAG @thegrindlv
Interviewer: DJ RETRO @djretro1990
Join our newsletter for updates and events at
www.thegrind.online
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-grind-podcast-w-host-dj-retro--3511504/support.
It was a privilege to talk with the Founder of The DJ Museum Las Vegas-Sam Maxion, who graciously shared incredible insights into the world of music!
We dove deep into the craft of DJing—what it truly takes to move a crowd and the importance of knowing your music and your history. We discussed the evolution of culture, tracing the roots of DJing from early radio days to the global phenomenon it is today, and how it continues to shape music and technology.
Finally, we looked ahead to the future of DJs and music. The founder offered a fascinating perspective on how technology (AI) will both challenge and amplify the art form, emphasizing that at its heart, the connection between the DJ and the audience will always be what matters most.
Stay tuned for more updates on this incredible conversation and the museum itself—it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves the beat!
Guest: Sam Maxion, Founder of The DJ Museum, @djmuseumlv
Venue: The DJ Museum 3507 Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas
Photo Credit: The Grind EMAG @thegrindlv
Interviewer: DJ RETRO @djretro1990
Join our newsletter for updates and events at
www.thegrind.online
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-grind-podcast-w-host-dj-retro--3511504/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Permission to touch us.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
I feel that clu.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Yeah, is.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
This mm hmm, got it?
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Got it?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Okay, So so.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
All right, fair enough, Good morning, my fellow grinders.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
We're here this morning with the founder of the DJ
Museum in Las Vegas, mister Sam Maxon. How you doing
this morning, sir.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
I'm doing well. Thank you for this opportunity, gretly appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
We we really thank you thanks for inviting us out
to your home. The DJ Museum is certainly a place
where you can come to to learn a lot about
the culture and being in DJ where it all started from.
And we just loved the fact that you let us
come in and get this interview with you.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So I really appreciate this.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
For those who don't know, the DJ Museum had its
grand opening a couple of weeks ago, located at three
five zero seven South Maryland Parkway here in Las Vegas,
and we're just happy to have this moment to sit
down with Sam and just talk and have.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
A couple of questions.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
So first thing is, can you introduce yourself to the
folks and those that are watching an interview, Give us
a little background about yourself and where you're from.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Yeah, my name is Sam Maxon and I also go
by the name of DJ Slam and Sam and I've
been involved in the industry over thirty five years on
every level, including the whole DJ aspect, and I evolved
into because I'm a producer, remixer as well and just
(02:05):
been experienced with every fat set of the DJ culture.
It's been an incredible ride, and so many things have
happened through this journey, and it's all led up to
this incredible passion project of mine, which is the DJ Museum.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Now, when I saw the flyer for the DJ Museum
to open here in Las Vegas, I was talking to
my wife and I was like, I gotta be here,
be there sharing a field with you as well. Being
a DJ myself, I knew this was something that was
long overdue. It's been a point where the DJ has been,
(02:47):
or had to take at some points kind of like
a step back from everything else in the culture and
we actually keep that music playing, keeping in people's ears
and things of that nature. So my first question to you,
who was the first DJ that actually had a big
impact on you to actually get into the get into
a DJ.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
That is a great question, and to be honest, with you.
I don't know that name. However, I could tell you
the situation that I was involved in. I was probably
like ten years old at this wedding and I went
to the backstage area.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
I got lost.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
I was trying to find the restroom, and next thing
you know, I started stepping up onto the stage where
this DJ was playing forty five seven inch records and
I just got so mesmerized, not because he was playing
the records, because he was cleaning them with this cleaner
(03:46):
cylinder thing and he was just doing it so methodically
that I said, wow, that seems like a lot of fun.
And that was to see that planted everything. But that
really is not necessarily a DJ playing moment, but it
(04:07):
was a DJ environment that inspired me to start getting
interested in the whole DJ realm from that standpoint. But yeah,
it was pretty interesting to reflect on that. But that
was the case.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
And so where did you get started back there making
mixtapes or when was the first piece of equipment that
you purchased.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
I purchased just one of those like mix match turntable
setups where you would have a Fisher brand or a
regular belt driven turntable, and let's face it, the realistic
mixer that everyone would get from Radio Shack because that
(04:51):
was the only place that you could get a mixer
that would interface with those two turntables. It was truly
out of this world the setup as far as being
able to enjoy it and start the seed of dejaying
the way I felt I wanted to start, especially when
(05:12):
you're a little kid, because you don't have all the resources,
you don't have all the money, but you still want
to DJ. And that was a fundamental part of what
I wanted to do, was just have equipment and get
started some way.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
I think that holds true because when I started, I
started making the mixtapes for the friends and then passing
it around the neighborhood, and then your name gets out
there and then they figure out who you are.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
That came much later that Yeah, Hey, tell us about it.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
How did you transition from the first time that you
got on some turntables, starting to get your ear for
mixing and bring us forward to the mixtape and how
your first performance went.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah, basically you go from the mix match turntables into
something more solidified, which is the techniques, which is the
most notable model the twelve hundreds. Once I got that,
then I felt that I could start really doing something.
But that started evolutionizing the whole like professional aspect of
(06:16):
the mixtape for me. But if we really go back,
I started recording stuff off the radio, off of FM
radio and create like a collage of recordings on tape,
and sometimes I would create certain mixes on the mixtape
(06:37):
based on using the pause button. And if you guys
don't know that, there's a section here in the museum
that talks about the pause mix edit method and you
have to have a pause button on your recorder that
stops it at the exact point and when you release it,
it starts up and it creates this do it yourself
(07:01):
edit element of mixing. And it was pretty pretty cool
because you could do some incredible stuff. And I do
have my pause mix recordings still intact and the cassettes
from that period. But that was truly truly the very
beginning of the whole mixtape era for me, and then
(07:26):
it started becoming something that I could create with four
tracks and have much more megamix style of mixtapes. But yeah,
it pretty much I'm a well rounded mixtape guy. Let's
put it to you that way.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Hopefully, we could hear those here at the DJ Museum.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
If there's still you have them somewhere on tap, maybe
complain for the guests one day.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
I would love to hear them.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Oh yes, that would be definitely charm to present the
actual mixtapes.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Now, you brought up an interesting point, especially when you're
talking about the pause makes I've used that several times myself,
probably not to the level that you haven't mastered it
at that point, but as far as creating mixes back
then and getting into making music, started out the four
track back then went to the eight track twelve. Of
course you could do less with less tracks. We've seen
(08:20):
some and heard some amazing music come out of hip hop,
just some four track recorders, and it's interesting how they
talk about it and how they had to loop it
and cut tape and just different things. But being on
the other side too, as a producer, how do you
think it's how do you think it's gotten better? Do
you think some of the production style that was in
(08:42):
an industry.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Back then is still useful now?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Or do you think people have lost that year where
it's just a little bit more simple and they really
don't really get into the niche of production like we
used to.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
If that makes any sense, it makes perfect sense, and
I'll answer that very can it lead today with AI,
it's made everything that much more easier for a six
year old to create an adult track just by typing
it in or talking into their phone. And that is
(09:16):
where we're heading. Is that simpler, that simpler type of creation,
which is not what I grew up on. We grew
up on what you're mentioning four tracks, real deur reels,
a very organic way of creating music that would be
reflective of personalities in the studio. And it's unfortunate, but
(09:42):
that is technology today that allows us to advance and
create music faster, create music that is it would take
weeks to make in minutes. And that's just where we're at.
(10:02):
But getting to your question, it is different today, however,
not everyone's using AI, and those are the ones I
like to connect with because they still have a very
core essence of what music should be, whether it's being
a lyricist, vocalist, producer, remixer. That is what I feel
(10:26):
will bring out the very best and part of the
DJ Museum's mission is to show the old school way
of doing things and it connects with the old school
way of doing production, of songwriting and remixing. So that's
(10:48):
something I'm fundamentally behind to preserve, not just with the
DJ stuff, but with the music stuff in general.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I totally agree with you because at verse and trying
to figure something out can bring out the best creativity
in you. I think early on in hip hop and
coming up now we've seen that, so the AI will
make it a little bit easier.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
I do agree.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
But it's the evolution of music, like you were stating before,
and I'm kind of interested to see where it goes to.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
So with that, yeah, that's that's.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Thank you for responding to that, because I.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Like to ask.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
The ogs of how they feel about you.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Know, and I take it you consider me a og.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
I do you started all this thing?
Speaker 1 (11:32):
You started all us wanted, the originals.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
The ogs that they would come in and say, wow,
I remember seeing this. I remember the milk crates that
I used to take from Lucky's and Safe Way in
the back to store my records. So that that story
essence is very important for me to put on display,
(11:55):
especially that I've gone through it and seeing the ins
and outs, good and bad, and have that story told
through the displays and exhibits and memorabilia, and that's the
exciting part of it. We are in a stage where
preservation of the old school way of DJing needs to
(12:17):
be heard and needs to be put out, and I
feel this is the right time to do that. And
my ideas for a museum didn't come like right away.
It was something that had to be totally thought over
to make sure that it wasn't an ideal that was just, hey,
(12:41):
let's do it and see what happens. I wanted to
make sure that it was something that was fundamentally ready
for this period in time, for the community, for the culture,
and most of all, for the people to accept and
feel that this is something that they want to check out.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
I know the words getting out.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Have you heard from other DJs from other states of
people that's dropped in like.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Yo, this is amazing.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Hey, how can I contribute what's going on?
Speaker 1 (13:14):
I'm sure you've gotten feedback already.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Oh. It has been tremendous. And I have to give
much credit to a lot of the DJs that we're
supporting at the very onset of the project. They know
who they are, there's so many of them, and they
planned to see to let other DJs know because I
don't have all the resources. I have a great team
(13:38):
that has an extended amount of contacts DJ wise that
I would never have, and I lean on them to
get the word out, and then those DJs thus get
the word out even further. I've had probably does every
(14:01):
hour just DJs just wanting to get involved in some capacity,
and luckily, getting back to the whole AI thing, I've
kind of implemented that for the inboxes, so I don't
have to do it individually. So it doesn't like Mark,
it doesn't like there's a regular person, but it's an AI.
But there's limitations with that. However, it's good to know
(14:24):
that the DJs are responding to it, and I understand
that there is a balance because some of the old
school DJs ogs, they have lives as everyone else does.
As you get older, you have family, you have kids,
you have jobs, you have that focus. The younger generation,
(14:47):
they're the ones that are hungry and they're the ones
that want to get involved even more so there's a
balancing act between the two generations that is exciting because
you want to get the youth and the younger DJs
involved and teach them the old school way so they
can know, hey, you don't have to rely on the
(15:10):
grid on the computer. You could rely on your ear
to match the beats and the ogs. They may want
to get back into it. They're saying, hey, this is cool.
I never was able to mix this because it wasn't
on vinyl. But now I can mix and it sounds
much more better. So we could bring that aspect into
(15:31):
the whole reintroduction of the old school to the old
g's that have possibly retired because they thought it was
only on vinyl that they could get the song. And
I've seen that evolution with the old g's and it's
pretty humbling because it was, Oh, I had the album version,
(15:53):
but it didn't sound right. And now that album version
sounds more punchier. It makes me want to just get
back into it. And then they find out, oh my goodness,
I don't have to carry creates the records. Everything's on
the laptop. So again it's a catch twenty two. I
think everyone there's always room for everyone to get involved
(16:13):
with the DJ community and the DJ world. It's just
where you feel you're comfortable with.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
I love the way that you're embracing the old school
with the new school. One thing I noticed when we
were walking around on the grand opening, right here, right
actually right outside of where we're interviewing at, there's a
live twitch or streaming area for the DJ. So I
want everybody to know that when you come down to
the DJ Museums, just not you know you're going to
(16:42):
see eight o eight's and just different things, you're actually
bringing all generations together. And you want this to be
a place where everybody's embraced. And I really love that.
Now with that comes new mediums, as you talked about before.
Now you can stream and connect your crates from Spotify,
title and things of that nature. How do you feel
(17:02):
about streaming nowadays? I'm one that love to buy my music,
but also like the balance of streaming, So how do
you feel about that new technology?
Speaker 3 (17:11):
I think it has its place. But again we go
back to the purpose of the DJ Museum is to
let everyone know that there was a place where you
had to go physically and buy tangible media, which is
the vinyl records. Spend hours in these shelves trying to
(17:36):
find the records that you want and just enjoying that
whole aspect. Of connecting with that moment. Now it's just
looking at characters on the screen and then saying I
want to download this, I want to download that, and
that's fine, And again we revert back to technolog in
(18:00):
its advancement. It's just the tools that we have to
work with. However, we can't forget how everything evolved, and
that's the important thing about the DJ Museum is that
we're going to present that education of record stores and
playlists and the top twenty of this week that you
(18:23):
could buy the vinyl. That in itself is an important
aspect of DJing that I feel everyone that's downloading now
should know. To me, downloading and getting the music digitally
is fine, and I feel it makes things a lot
(18:46):
easier and you could instantaneously make an individual happy if
that request isn't on your laptop or streaming at the point,
you could just go ahead and search it, boom and
next thing you know, someone's somber moment is now excitement
because you now have that song. So in that aspect,
(19:10):
it is incredible to have that resource, and I feel
that we just have to let everyone know about how
everything began with record stores and record pools and the
tangible media that was once there.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Now you're a DJ, you're also in music, so I
got to ask you this.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
I got to ask you. I think I asked in
every interview I do. What's your top five.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Top five favorite songs of all time?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Songs, groups, duos, it could be a mixer match when
it comes down to music in your ear, what's your
top five that you would throw on?
Speaker 3 (19:50):
That is such a loaded question. It is very hard
to answer. It is because as a DJ, that is
open format, and as you know, open format means everything.
It's really tough and I can't even point out five
(20:10):
that would be suffice and fair because it's just such
a vast array and there could be some curveballs in
there that you're like, wait a second, Sam, you can't
even mix that, but you like that. And that's the thing.
That's how I am. I'm very eccentric with my listening
(20:32):
ear because I feel when you're able to have a
very open genre of listening, your IQ goes up. Not
to say that people that just listen to hip hop
or regaton or EDM aren't as IQ written. I'm just
(20:54):
stating a fact that if you open up your palette,
two different genres. You will start seeing so many incredible
similarities of the music being able to make your hair
stand on your skin. And when that happens, it doesn't
matter what kind of music it is, you don't even
have to understand it. I play a lot of reggaeton,
(21:19):
and unfortunately I kept skipping class Spanish in high school.
That's on me. However, when I play it, I know
what song works because I could feel it in my bones.
And when I could feel it in my bones and
the crowd is enjoying it, I just play it and
(21:40):
I have really no clue what he or she is saying.
And it's a wonderful thing because now it's all about
the vibration of the music and the emotion that it's
instilling on the listener, and to me, that's all that matters.
So getting back to your question, James, I wouldn't even
(22:00):
think about answering that question, to.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Be fair and.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
Yeah, because it would always change. I would tell you
the top five now and an hour later I'll say.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
Hey, but you know that's the beautiful thing, Salem.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
That list changes for me all the time.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
It depends on what depends on what mood you're on,
what you're listening to correct so I have to agree
with you on that, but you know I had to
give it a try. I had to see if you
could email now at least.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
Hey, that's that's what an interviewer has to do. Pull
me in, Pull me in.
Speaker 1 (22:31):
My mom used to tell me growing up.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
You made a good point is that when you're amongst
different people and you're walking in life, you have to
be able to maintain several different conversations across several different platforms.
I relate that to the music that you say you
play being open format, because now you can have several
(22:54):
different conversations while people are enjoying the music on the
dance floor and your palette has opened up.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
I find myself mixing everything from George Michael.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
To air Supply, Bill Collins, bringing it back to DJ
excuse Me, King t ice Cube, and anyone else that
you can put in there, and just knowing the ear
We've listened to these songs so much, we know those.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Right breaks and opportunities to create.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
I want to know from you, are you going to
have something here at the DJ Museum to introduce that
type of djay or a class to those that want
to get into DJing.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
That's a very good question. Right now, I'm working on
DJ workshops for the focus on the early development of DJing,
showing them how it got started and so forth, but
also working in the technology that we have today, i e.
(23:58):
Controllers and these classes are going to be built around
how the DJ came about, and we would then go
into various angles of the DJ, especially the mixing technique,
the song selection technique, the crowd control technique, and just
(24:23):
the overall business side of things. So these are workshops
are going to be built around that concept and I'm
very excited about that. I have DJs that i'm working
hand in hand with those setups, and I'm looking forward
to how that's going to play out in the future.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
When there's going to be people contacting you and they
say I want to help contribute and want to and
I want to help.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
What's your mission statement for the DJ Museum. What are
what help? Are you looking for? What attitude should someone have?
Speaker 2 (25:01):
And I don't mean not to pin anybody to eliminate anybody.
I'm saying people need to know where your mind is
and hey, I want this to grow and this is
what I'm looking for.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
Right If you had to put that out there.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Would what would be your couple of things you want
to inform some folks.
Speaker 3 (25:16):
Of Yeah, first and foremost, what is your intention If
you're here for the community, are you here for sharing
your knowledge in a very giving way? That's my focus
to bring you in. Several DJs have thankfully understood that
(25:42):
mindset and that's who I would like to have on board.
And then you get individuals with a different agenda and
that's fine, but for the museum, first and foremost, it
would be more community based what you're able to tribute,
And because there is a component of the museum that's nonprofit,
(26:06):
I like to see where you're serving into that direction
and that to me is the most important thing. So yeah,
they have to have a good heart. They have to
have a long term understanding of what we're trying to
do with the museum, which is to educate and inform
(26:27):
the public about the pioneer period of djaying. But we
also are creating a platform that will educate and inspire
everyone across all ages. And that's the exciting part is
knowing that whoever is going to be on board is
going to be going to be part of that mission
(26:49):
statement that I'm putting together for the DJ Museum.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Where can we find you spin a eight, I've noticed
see I follow you on Twitch too. You got to
see him on his Twitch channel. But where where can
we find you, wish your handles? Where other DJs, other
people can hear the music that you're putting out. Please
let us know where we can we can catch it,
especially here if you're going to be spending here at
the DJ Music. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
Yeah, So as far as my normal residency, I am
over at Aleante Casino Resort over at inside of Et
Lounge every Saturday from eight till midnight, So yeah, I
was just there. And as far as streaming, and you
could catch me on Twitch on my twitch channel at
(27:37):
I am Slamming and I stream once a week and
it's from It's normally like a three hour stream, but
it's been kind of inconsistent due to what's happening here
in the museum. But you can follow me on all
my socials for all those schedulings because I normally put
(27:59):
out a calendar early part of the week so you'll
know what's coming up. And that's at Instagram I Am
Slamming Sam And if you want to see a whole
bunch of stuff.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
Just Google me
Speaker 3 (28:13):
And just type in Slam and Sam max in and
then the floodgates open
Permission to touch us.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
I feel that clu.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Yeah, is.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
This mm hmm, got it?
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Got it?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
Okay, So so.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
All right, fair enough, Good morning, my fellow grinders.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
We're here this morning with the founder of the DJ
Museum in Las Vegas, mister Sam Maxon. How you doing
this morning, sir.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
I'm doing well. Thank you for this opportunity, gretly appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
We we really thank you thanks for inviting us out
to your home. The DJ Museum is certainly a place
where you can come to to learn a lot about
the culture and being in DJ where it all started from.
And we just loved the fact that you let us
come in and get this interview with you.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So I really appreciate this.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
For those who don't know, the DJ Museum had its
grand opening a couple of weeks ago, located at three
five zero seven South Maryland Parkway here in Las Vegas,
and we're just happy to have this moment to sit
down with Sam and just talk and have.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
A couple of questions.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
So first thing is, can you introduce yourself to the
folks and those that are watching an interview, Give us
a little background about yourself and where you're from.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Yeah, my name is Sam Maxon and I also go
by the name of DJ Slam and Sam and I've
been involved in the industry over thirty five years on
every level, including the whole DJ aspect, and I evolved
into because I'm a producer, remixer as well and just
(02:05):
been experienced with every fat set of the DJ culture.
It's been an incredible ride, and so many things have
happened through this journey, and it's all led up to
this incredible passion project of mine, which is the DJ Museum.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Now, when I saw the flyer for the DJ Museum
to open here in Las Vegas, I was talking to
my wife and I was like, I gotta be here,
be there sharing a field with you as well. Being
a DJ myself, I knew this was something that was
long overdue. It's been a point where the DJ has been,
(02:47):
or had to take at some points kind of like
a step back from everything else in the culture and
we actually keep that music playing, keeping in people's ears
and things of that nature. So my first question to you,
who was the first DJ that actually had a big
impact on you to actually get into the get into
a DJ.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
That is a great question, and to be honest, with you.
I don't know that name. However, I could tell you
the situation that I was involved in. I was probably
like ten years old at this wedding and I went
to the backstage area.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
I got lost.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
I was trying to find the restroom, and next thing
you know, I started stepping up onto the stage where
this DJ was playing forty five seven inch records and
I just got so mesmerized, not because he was playing
the records, because he was cleaning them with this cleaner
(03:46):
cylinder thing and he was just doing it so methodically
that I said, wow, that seems like a lot of fun.
And that was to see that planted everything. But that
really is not necessarily a DJ playing moment, but it
(04:07):
was a DJ environment that inspired me to start getting
interested in the whole DJ realm from that standpoint. But yeah,
it was pretty interesting to reflect on that. But that
was the case.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
And so where did you get started back there making
mixtapes or when was the first piece of equipment that
you purchased.
Speaker 3 (04:31):
I purchased just one of those like mix match turntable
setups where you would have a Fisher brand or a
regular belt driven turntable, and let's face it, the realistic
mixer that everyone would get from Radio Shack because that
(04:51):
was the only place that you could get a mixer
that would interface with those two turntables. It was truly
out of this world the setup as far as being
able to enjoy it and start the seed of dejaying
the way I felt I wanted to start, especially when
(05:12):
you're a little kid, because you don't have all the resources,
you don't have all the money, but you still want
to DJ. And that was a fundamental part of what
I wanted to do, was just have equipment and get
started some way.
Speaker 2 (05:29):
I think that holds true because when I started, I
started making the mixtapes for the friends and then passing
it around the neighborhood, and then your name gets out
there and then they figure out who you are.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
That came much later that Yeah, Hey, tell us about it.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
How did you transition from the first time that you
got on some turntables, starting to get your ear for
mixing and bring us forward to the mixtape and how
your first performance went.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah, basically you go from the mix match turntables into
something more solidified, which is the techniques, which is the
most notable model the twelve hundreds. Once I got that,
then I felt that I could start really doing something.
But that started evolutionizing the whole like professional aspect of
(06:16):
the mixtape for me. But if we really go back,
I started recording stuff off the radio, off of FM
radio and create like a collage of recordings on tape,
and sometimes I would create certain mixes on the mixtape
(06:37):
based on using the pause button. And if you guys
don't know that, there's a section here in the museum
that talks about the pause mix edit method and you
have to have a pause button on your recorder that
stops it at the exact point and when you release it,
it starts up and it creates this do it yourself
(07:01):
edit element of mixing. And it was pretty pretty cool
because you could do some incredible stuff. And I do
have my pause mix recordings still intact and the cassettes
from that period. But that was truly truly the very
beginning of the whole mixtape era for me, and then
(07:26):
it started becoming something that I could create with four
tracks and have much more megamix style of mixtapes. But yeah,
it pretty much I'm a well rounded mixtape guy. Let's
put it to you that way.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
Hopefully, we could hear those here at the DJ Museum.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
If there's still you have them somewhere on tap, maybe
complain for the guests one day.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
I would love to hear them.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Oh yes, that would be definitely charm to present the
actual mixtapes.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Now, you brought up an interesting point, especially when you're
talking about the pause makes I've used that several times myself,
probably not to the level that you haven't mastered it
at that point, but as far as creating mixes back
then and getting into making music, started out the four
track back then went to the eight track twelve. Of
course you could do less with less tracks. We've seen
(08:20):
some and heard some amazing music come out of hip hop,
just some four track recorders, and it's interesting how they
talk about it and how they had to loop it
and cut tape and just different things. But being on
the other side too, as a producer, how do you
think it's how do you think it's gotten better? Do
you think some of the production style that was in
(08:42):
an industry.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Back then is still useful now?
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Or do you think people have lost that year where
it's just a little bit more simple and they really
don't really get into the niche of production like we
used to.
Speaker 3 (08:56):
If that makes any sense, it makes perfect sense, and
I'll answer that very can it lead today with AI,
it's made everything that much more easier for a six
year old to create an adult track just by typing
it in or talking into their phone. And that is
(09:16):
where we're heading. Is that simpler, that simpler type of creation,
which is not what I grew up on. We grew
up on what you're mentioning four tracks, real deur reels,
a very organic way of creating music that would be
reflective of personalities in the studio. And it's unfortunate, but
(09:42):
that is technology today that allows us to advance and
create music faster, create music that is it would take
weeks to make in minutes. And that's just where we're at.
(10:02):
But getting to your question, it is different today, however,
not everyone's using AI, and those are the ones I
like to connect with because they still have a very
core essence of what music should be, whether it's being
a lyricist, vocalist, producer, remixer. That is what I feel
(10:26):
will bring out the very best and part of the
DJ Museum's mission is to show the old school way
of doing things and it connects with the old school
way of doing production, of songwriting and remixing. So that's
(10:48):
something I'm fundamentally behind to preserve, not just with the
DJ stuff, but with the music stuff in general.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
I totally agree with you because at verse and trying
to figure something out can bring out the best creativity
in you. I think early on in hip hop and
coming up now we've seen that, so the AI will
make it a little bit easier.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
I do agree.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
But it's the evolution of music, like you were stating before,
and I'm kind of interested to see where it goes to.
Speaker 1 (11:17):
So with that, yeah, that's that's.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
Thank you for responding to that, because I.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
Like to ask.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
The ogs of how they feel about you.
Speaker 3 (11:27):
Know, and I take it you consider me a og.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
I do you started all this thing?
Speaker 1 (11:32):
You started all us wanted, the originals.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
The ogs that they would come in and say, wow,
I remember seeing this. I remember the milk crates that
I used to take from Lucky's and Safe Way in
the back to store my records. So that that story
essence is very important for me to put on display,
(11:55):
especially that I've gone through it and seeing the ins
and outs, good and bad, and have that story told
through the displays and exhibits and memorabilia, and that's the
exciting part of it. We are in a stage where
preservation of the old school way of DJing needs to
(12:17):
be heard and needs to be put out, and I
feel this is the right time to do that. And
my ideas for a museum didn't come like right away.
It was something that had to be totally thought over
to make sure that it wasn't an ideal that was just, hey,
(12:41):
let's do it and see what happens. I wanted to
make sure that it was something that was fundamentally ready
for this period in time, for the community, for the culture,
and most of all, for the people to accept and
feel that this is something that they want to check out.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
I know the words getting out.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Have you heard from other DJs from other states of
people that's dropped in like.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Yo, this is amazing.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Hey, how can I contribute what's going on?
Speaker 1 (13:14):
I'm sure you've gotten feedback already.
Speaker 3 (13:16):
Oh. It has been tremendous. And I have to give
much credit to a lot of the DJs that we're
supporting at the very onset of the project. They know
who they are, there's so many of them, and they
planned to see to let other DJs know because I
don't have all the resources. I have a great team
(13:38):
that has an extended amount of contacts DJ wise that
I would never have, and I lean on them to
get the word out, and then those DJs thus get
the word out even further. I've had probably does every
(14:01):
hour just DJs just wanting to get involved in some capacity,
and luckily, getting back to the whole AI thing, I've
kind of implemented that for the inboxes, so I don't
have to do it individually. So it doesn't like Mark,
it doesn't like there's a regular person, but it's an AI.
But there's limitations with that. However, it's good to know
(14:24):
that the DJs are responding to it, and I understand
that there is a balance because some of the old
school DJs ogs, they have lives as everyone else does.
As you get older, you have family, you have kids,
you have jobs, you have that focus. The younger generation,
(14:47):
they're the ones that are hungry and they're the ones
that want to get involved even more so there's a
balancing act between the two generations that is exciting because
you want to get the youth and the younger DJs
involved and teach them the old school way so they
can know, hey, you don't have to rely on the
(15:10):
grid on the computer. You could rely on your ear
to match the beats and the ogs. They may want
to get back into it. They're saying, hey, this is cool.
I never was able to mix this because it wasn't
on vinyl. But now I can mix and it sounds
much more better. So we could bring that aspect into
(15:31):
the whole reintroduction of the old school to the old
g's that have possibly retired because they thought it was
only on vinyl that they could get the song. And
I've seen that evolution with the old g's and it's
pretty humbling because it was, Oh, I had the album version,
(15:53):
but it didn't sound right. And now that album version
sounds more punchier. It makes me want to just get
back into it. And then they find out, oh my goodness,
I don't have to carry creates the records. Everything's on
the laptop. So again it's a catch twenty two. I
think everyone there's always room for everyone to get involved
(16:13):
with the DJ community and the DJ world. It's just
where you feel you're comfortable with.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
I love the way that you're embracing the old school
with the new school. One thing I noticed when we
were walking around on the grand opening, right here, right
actually right outside of where we're interviewing at, there's a
live twitch or streaming area for the DJ. So I
want everybody to know that when you come down to
the DJ Museums, just not you know you're going to
(16:42):
see eight o eight's and just different things, you're actually
bringing all generations together. And you want this to be
a place where everybody's embraced. And I really love that.
Now with that comes new mediums, as you talked about before.
Now you can stream and connect your crates from Spotify,
title and things of that nature. How do you feel
(17:02):
about streaming nowadays? I'm one that love to buy my music,
but also like the balance of streaming, So how do
you feel about that new technology?
Speaker 3 (17:11):
I think it has its place. But again we go
back to the purpose of the DJ Museum is to
let everyone know that there was a place where you
had to go physically and buy tangible media, which is
the vinyl records. Spend hours in these shelves trying to
(17:36):
find the records that you want and just enjoying that
whole aspect. Of connecting with that moment. Now it's just
looking at characters on the screen and then saying I
want to download this, I want to download that, and
that's fine, And again we revert back to technolog in
(18:00):
its advancement. It's just the tools that we have to
work with. However, we can't forget how everything evolved, and
that's the important thing about the DJ Museum is that
we're going to present that education of record stores and
playlists and the top twenty of this week that you
(18:23):
could buy the vinyl. That in itself is an important
aspect of DJing that I feel everyone that's downloading now
should know. To me, downloading and getting the music digitally
is fine, and I feel it makes things a lot
(18:46):
easier and you could instantaneously make an individual happy if
that request isn't on your laptop or streaming at the point,
you could just go ahead and search it, boom and
next thing you know, someone's somber moment is now excitement
because you now have that song. So in that aspect,
(19:10):
it is incredible to have that resource, and I feel
that we just have to let everyone know about how
everything began with record stores and record pools and the
tangible media that was once there.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Now you're a DJ, you're also in music, so I
got to ask you this.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
I got to ask you. I think I asked in
every interview I do. What's your top five.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Top five favorite songs of all time?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Songs, groups, duos, it could be a mixer match when
it comes down to music in your ear, what's your
top five that you would throw on?
Speaker 3 (19:50):
That is such a loaded question. It is very hard
to answer. It is because as a DJ, that is
open format, and as you know, open format means everything.
It's really tough and I can't even point out five
(20:10):
that would be suffice and fair because it's just such
a vast array and there could be some curveballs in
there that you're like, wait a second, Sam, you can't
even mix that, but you like that. And that's the thing.
That's how I am. I'm very eccentric with my listening
(20:32):
ear because I feel when you're able to have a
very open genre of listening, your IQ goes up. Not
to say that people that just listen to hip hop
or regaton or EDM aren't as IQ written. I'm just
(20:54):
stating a fact that if you open up your palette,
two different genres. You will start seeing so many incredible
similarities of the music being able to make your hair
stand on your skin. And when that happens, it doesn't
matter what kind of music it is, you don't even
have to understand it. I play a lot of reggaeton,
(21:19):
and unfortunately I kept skipping class Spanish in high school.
That's on me. However, when I play it, I know
what song works because I could feel it in my bones.
And when I could feel it in my bones and
the crowd is enjoying it, I just play it and
(21:40):
I have really no clue what he or she is saying.
And it's a wonderful thing because now it's all about
the vibration of the music and the emotion that it's
instilling on the listener, and to me, that's all that matters.
So getting back to your question, James, I wouldn't even
(22:00):
think about answering that question, to.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Be fair and.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
Yeah, because it would always change. I would tell you
the top five now and an hour later I'll say.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
Hey, but you know that's the beautiful thing, Salem.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
That list changes for me all the time.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
It depends on what depends on what mood you're on,
what you're listening to correct so I have to agree
with you on that, but you know I had to
give it a try. I had to see if you
could email now at least.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
Hey, that's that's what an interviewer has to do. Pull
me in, Pull me in.
Speaker 1 (22:31):
My mom used to tell me growing up.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
You made a good point is that when you're amongst
different people and you're walking in life, you have to
be able to maintain several different conversations across several different platforms.
I relate that to the music that you say you
play being open format, because now you can have several
(22:54):
different conversations while people are enjoying the music on the
dance floor and your palette has opened up.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
I find myself mixing everything from George Michael.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
To air Supply, Bill Collins, bringing it back to DJ
excuse Me, King t ice Cube, and anyone else that
you can put in there, and just knowing the ear
We've listened to these songs so much, we know those.
Speaker 1 (23:17):
Right breaks and opportunities to create.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
I want to know from you, are you going to
have something here at the DJ Museum to introduce that
type of djay or a class to those that want
to get into DJing.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
That's a very good question. Right now, I'm working on
DJ workshops for the focus on the early development of DJing,
showing them how it got started and so forth, but
also working in the technology that we have today, i e.
(23:58):
Controllers and these classes are going to be built around
how the DJ came about, and we would then go
into various angles of the DJ, especially the mixing technique,
the song selection technique, the crowd control technique, and just
(24:23):
the overall business side of things. So these are workshops
are going to be built around that concept and I'm
very excited about that. I have DJs that i'm working
hand in hand with those setups, and I'm looking forward
to how that's going to play out in the future.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
When there's going to be people contacting you and they
say I want to help contribute and want to and
I want to help.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
What's your mission statement for the DJ Museum. What are
what help? Are you looking for? What attitude should someone have?
Speaker 2 (25:01):
And I don't mean not to pin anybody to eliminate anybody.
I'm saying people need to know where your mind is
and hey, I want this to grow and this is
what I'm looking for.
Speaker 1 (25:11):
Right If you had to put that out there.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Would what would be your couple of things you want
to inform some folks.
Speaker 3 (25:16):
Of Yeah, first and foremost, what is your intention If
you're here for the community, are you here for sharing
your knowledge in a very giving way? That's my focus
to bring you in. Several DJs have thankfully understood that
(25:42):
mindset and that's who I would like to have on board.
And then you get individuals with a different agenda and
that's fine, but for the museum, first and foremost, it
would be more community based what you're able to tribute,
And because there is a component of the museum that's nonprofit,
(26:06):
I like to see where you're serving into that direction
and that to me is the most important thing. So yeah,
they have to have a good heart. They have to
have a long term understanding of what we're trying to
do with the museum, which is to educate and inform
(26:27):
the public about the pioneer period of djaying. But we
also are creating a platform that will educate and inspire
everyone across all ages. And that's the exciting part is
knowing that whoever is going to be on board is
going to be going to be part of that mission
(26:49):
statement that I'm putting together for the DJ Museum.
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Where can we find you spin a eight, I've noticed
see I follow you on Twitch too. You got to
see him on his Twitch channel. But where where can
we find you, wish your handles? Where other DJs, other
people can hear the music that you're putting out. Please
let us know where we can we can catch it,
especially here if you're going to be spending here at
the DJ Music. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
Yeah, So as far as my normal residency, I am
over at Aleante Casino Resort over at inside of Et
Lounge every Saturday from eight till midnight, So yeah, I
was just there. And as far as streaming, and you
could catch me on Twitch on my twitch channel at
(27:37):
I am Slamming and I stream once a week and
it's from It's normally like a three hour stream, but
it's been kind of inconsistent due to what's happening here
in the museum. But you can follow me on all
my socials for all those schedulings because I normally put
(27:59):
out a calendar early part of the week so you'll
know what's coming up. And that's at Instagram I Am
Slamming Sam And if you want to see a whole
bunch of stuff.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
Just Google me
Speaker 3 (28:13):
And just type in Slam and Sam max in and
then the floodgates open
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.