DJ Kritt - Definitely a DJ of "SUBSTANCE"

Kritt has been contributing to the electronic music scene for over a decade. Starting off as a dancer he quickly realized that his energy and niche for top notch music made him an excellent candidate to be a premier DJ. Moving through the scene quickly he became one of the Sacramento, CA premier house DJ's. With a style described as electric, soulful, funky, sexy, revolutionary, and intelligent, he instantly became a constant at all the local underground parties and nightclubs.

Kritt has Dj'd several places in the country and is currently seeking to expand his reputation across the nation and globe. As a former dancer he tends to formulate his selection directly to the dance floor. Feeding off the energy of the crowd, he becomes possessed behind the decks and stimulates everybody's inner soul to a sultry sound that is not often heard or expressed. If you are lucky enough to see one of Kritt's sets you better come prepared with your best dancing shoes and be ready for a memorable and monumental surprise!

So how did it all begin?

Well DJ’n in it’s current form (mixing records) began around 1999. I got started a little later than some of the old school cats but I instantly gravitated toward it after discovering EDM (electronic dance music) with my move to the Sacramento region. I moved out here from Stockton, I really didn’t know anyone here at first and I used to go to a little all night spot called the G-spot. There I learned what house music was about. The culture and the vibe for me was an instant draw into the scene. Once meeting peeps in and around Sac we often frequented SF and any raves in the area. I would say I attended pretty much everything that went on around the early/mid 2000’s. After time and getting a little older, we started going to the SF clubs. This is where I caught my house music itch. The club that was doing it right back then was the DNA lounge, The Endup, and any Remedy party. I was witnessing some unbelievable talent there such as Doc Martin, Mark Farina, Miguel Migs, Julius Papp, Jay-J, just to name a few. Because of the culture, the music, and the people, I have never looked back.

I purchase my first decks around the same time and involved myself in the house scene ever since.

Where did the name come from?

When I was a little baby I used to get into everything. My parent’s friend nicknamed me Kritter. This name has stuck with me my whole life. No matter how hard I tried to shake it, it always followed me. I was so tired of it, too old for it, and it was just getting ridiculous. I then came up with a plan to chop it off and just had everyone call me Kritt for short.

So when you see my name, no it’s not some made up DJ name, or some alter ego. That is essentially my real name. My mom calls me Kritt.

What gave you that initial push?

When I started spinning, I came up with some good friends. Together we kind of pushed each other, which made it easier to keep going. I am a very driven person by default which helps.

Tell us about your current DJ / Production setup? What Hardware / Software do you use?
Did the Djing, Production, Promoting come 1st?

I have 2 CDJ-900’s
My Pioneer DJM-800 is on the way
Have various sound equipment and lighting
24” iMac (beefed up)
Logic 8
Mackie MR8 Studio Monitors + Sub
Used couple other programs like Mixmeister and other recording software
Adobe Suite (for flyer designs)

Dj’n came first. But I did learn real fast, If you want to be anything other than a bedroom DJ. Promoting is a must.
Who’s throwing the best parties at the moment?

This is a tough question. I am a little biased. Sacramento is tough for House Dj’s and promoters. I am not into the whole club scene and top 40’s music (I do go to the clubs when they have house DJ’s). In Sac there are a handful of people who still try to push house music. I give everyone of them props. I try to attend their events as often as possible. I want to name names but I know I’ll leave one out. So if you are a house DJ/promoter and trying to keep this thing going, keep it up.

Outside of Sac got to give credit to Dirtybird, Sunset, Stompy, Kontrol, Sublevel, Focus, on the West Coast. There may be others as well but that’s the ones I can think of.

Which other countries have you performed /put parties on?

I haven’t performed in other countries. I have performed in various cities and states though.

What was the first event you ever played at/put on?

I think the first ever gig I had was at the Blue Cue. I think me, Teejay Walton, and Cason Bridges had a weekly there on Wednesday’s or something. Man that was a while ago.

What’s the best event you’ve played at/put on?

There’s a few of them. I played at the W hotel in Dallas. It was a packed house after a Mavericks game.
Also did a pretty large NYE event in Orange County Last Year.
Played at the legendary EndUp.
I’ve also had a lot of fun at some of the Substance parties here locally that I’ve put on.
The best party was Graveyard Shift which was a Halloween night underground party Dan Nicholson, Jason Vega, and myself threw last year. There was about 500 ppl there but it was insane.
Oh! and look for Graveyard Shift 2 Oct 30th

What was your first record you bought?

First record was some crappy hard house record.

My favorite record of all time is
Rain People feat. Marcus Begg - Trippin on Love (Louis Benedetti's Classic Vox)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCSWrisCFmw
This track isn’t necessarily a clubby track, I just love it and always will.

Out of all the tracks in your crate, which one never fails?

I have several House remixes of various songs that always do well.
The one track that always works is a house bootleg I have of
Digital Underground- Do what you like

What’s your favorite track / record / album / mix set of all time?

I’m not big on listening to mixes. I like any deep/funky/techy house. There’s a lot of good music and good DJ’s out there.

When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?

I chill with my wife. Love her!

So how is the scene in your eyes at the moment?

The house scene is brutal and tough but vibrant at the same time. Again I am not into the “club” scene (unless it’s a house music night). I stay away from the MTV world if you will. House Dj’s/promoters in Sac are fighting a battle. We have a lot of supporters (thank all of you) but we always need more.

What’s is your real name if you use an alias and how old are you?

Kristopher Ross is the name – 30Yrs.

Where do you live currently?

Sac

How big is your vinyl collection?

The vinyl collection is a bad subject. Most my vinyl was lost/stolen about 5 yrs ago. I have not done much to restore it since the digital age has taken over. But I had a few hundred or so records. I still have a lot of my classics and irreplaceable ones.

What do you think about digital DJ setups like Serato, Traktor, Ableton? Do you use them?
Funniest thing that ever happened at an event?

To each their own. Personally I am a CDJ guy, especially now that I can carry my whole music collection on my flashdrive with the new CDJ’s.

Funniest thing- It would have to be some of the set ups I’ve played on. I didn’t know you can jerry rig cdj’s, turntables, speakers, and mixers in some of the ways these people do. Then of course the girl who thinks she’s hot and can get me to play little do they know, I don’t even own anything you hear on the radio, none of it!!

Other DJs you rate?

Love my fellow Sac House/Edm DJ’s. We really have some quality talent here.
Big names- Doc Martin, DJ Sneak, Inland Knights, LCG, Any Dirtybird member, Louie Vega, and a lot of others.

What do you think about MC’s and their role in hiphop/dance music culture?

I don’t know much about today’s hip-hop scene. I haven’t really seen anything in the way of MC’s as of late although, they do have some talent in the DNB (drum n bass) and dubstep sectors.

What do you do outside of the dance music scene?

I hold a pretty good job in the design/training field.

What advice would you give to up and coming DJs/Promoters?

Learn to be a real DJ, there are so many devices that have taken away from the skill of beatmatching and mixing. Make sure this is your strong point. You should be able to play on any set up and mixer.
There are no free rides, superstar bedroom Dj’s, or Dj’s that are not promoters. You must be a business first, then a DJ.

When you play is it a planned set?

I sometimes know what songs I want to play but I have never gone in with a pre- planned set. I feed off the crowd/dancefloor. It’s all about the dancers.

When was the 1st time you visited Ibiza? Was it to holiday or to play?

Ibiza hotel in Oakland? I use to go there to the Organic parties. Never been to the real Ibiza though.

Anything else you want to say? Any shouts?

Shout out to the venue owners/promoters who continue to support house music. Although there’s not a lot of them, they are around. Also huge ups to the supporters. We still have a strong and thriving community with beautiful people and some sick parties.

What would you say to people that don’t know about house music?

There are a lot of cliché’s in house such as: “it’s a spiritual thing & it’s a feeling” which is totally true. People who are not open minded will never understand. I see so many people walk into “the house room” at the clubs and turn right around to go listen to the same crap that was just on in their car. I would say give it a try. Although nobody wants to admit it, the stuff you hear on the radio right now is getting very close to sounding like house music.

The biggest draw with House Music is the culture. You will not find a better crowd and vibe. I can guarantee you will rarely ever see a fight at a house music event. That says a lot.

How do you see the scene 5 years from now?

The house scene is going to be in demand. Radio music is getting very close to being house beats behind the pop star vocals. This will make the beat and sounds of house progressively more acceptable to the mainstream. With that being said, we still need the supporters and pushers.

If you had a time machine what year would you go back to and why?

Studio 54 and the original warehouse parties

KnightRider or A-team?

MacGyver and CHIPS 

Kritt and his fellow DJs put on a bi-monthly event called SUBSTANCE, which features the best Sacramento DJs, and also has out of town headliners come and spin! Definitely worth checking out.

Contact:

Email: Djkritt@me.com

Facebook.com/djkritt

Soundcloud.com/kritt