Featured Base DJ – Tido

Kurt Dyer, aka DJ Tido of Wednesday morning’s Actual Proof Radio is Base FM’s Featured DJ this week. This Friday the DJ with the smoothest baritone in the city is going to be spinning out some funk, soul and latin nice times at the Kingsland Karnival. Catch him from 9pm on Friday night at Toro for some post Karnival goodness on the dance floor.

When and how did you get into DJing?

I started Djing out in public in 1998. I was playing percussion in Christchurch for the band Solaa and had been collecting vinyl for years. A friend Dj Soulprovider had a night at the Jetset Lounge (the place to be in those days) and he knew I had some funky records, so he asked me if I wanted to spin some tunes with him. It was heaps of fun and the evening ended up being the best weekly party to go to back then.

When did you start DJing at Base?
In mid 2011, after returning to NZ from a backpacking trip around the world.

What song got you out of bed this morning?
The song of my neighbour’s circular saw! He’s always making something in his garage, it’s like an alarm clock without a snooze button. During breakfast I put on some Al Green, a more soothing experience than carpentry equipment.

Favourite DJ?
Locally there are so many great Dj’s, some of my favourites are, Manuel Bundy, Downtownbrown and Frank Booker to name a few.
Internationally I’d say Jazzy Jeff, Spinna, Mr Scruff and Keb Darge are all quality.

First record/CD/tape cassette you ever bought?
Tougher Than Leather by Run DMC. Although my brother may have bought it, but I definitely thrashed it.

Guilty pleasure?
Mopping (eating) up any curry that my friends leave behind, when we are out for Indian.

What track do you open with to revive a dying dance floor?
Musicology by Prince, super funky jam for top grade booty wiggling!

If you had to live in another part of New Zealand (or the world), where would you choose?
In NZ it would be above Whale Bay near Tutukaka, one of the best beaches in the country, which I have only just recently discovered.
If it were somewhere else in the world I’d say Bogota, Colombia. Great food, wonderful people, fantastic music and just a special vibe about the place.

What do you do for fun when you’re not DJing?
Play and record percussion, go to concerts, cook food, get out of the city for daytrips, watch movies… all the good stuff.

Top 3 concerts of all times?
James Brown
Prince
Stevie Wonder

Your first music memory?
Listening to my old man’s classical records, my mum’s rhythm and blues music and bashing the keys on the piano in the lounge.

You’re playing at the Kingsland Karnival next weekend. What can people expect?
Yeah should be a good night. I’m spinning tunes at one of my favourite local spots, Toro Bar on Friday night. They have the best Chimichangas (deep-fried burritos) and make a mean Margarita. I like to be inspired by the environment I’m playing in, so I’ll drop some Latin stuff, some funk goodies and plenty of tunes to get the heads bobbing and the hips shaking.
Nos vemos el viernes para una fiesta!

 

Like Tido’s Facebook page to stay in the loop with where Tido’s playing next. Follow him on Mixcloud to hear his uploaded shows on Base.

Kingsland Facebook page