DJ JavaScript: 50 Minutes of High-Attitude Head-Boppin.

Here’s the latest installment of our monthly mixtape series, which is curated by GUN$ Garcia. Today she brings us DJ JavaScript (above, in the center), who spins at Tabu’s Ratchet Wednesdays and starts a new party, Drink or Swim, at North Shore Beach Club starting Monday.

Our Brianna Spause spoke with JavaScript about his rise in the scene and what he plans for the new party.

When did you start to dip your toes in the DJ scene?

I have been DJing since I was 17. I moved to Philadelphia right out of high school, and went to Temple. I had already made a few connections, believe it or not, through Myspace. I guess I’ll just drop that on you. I just started networking once I got to the city. I ended up moving in with a local rapper, Spank Rock, and he was my ticket to the city. He was introducing me to the right people, and he started a party back in the day in 2008 at The Barbary. That was kind of my first gig. My friend was DJing, and he asked me to try it out. I said, absolutely! I’m a drummer so I automatically fell in love with the beat. It was over after that. I just fell in love.

What kind of tracks do you spin?

I usually like to start out with crowd favorites, and then I get into my abstract house things. I try to develop a little bit of trust on the dance floor with some old hip hop, and then bring up the beat slowly. I gradually introduce people to the House that I really love.

I like throwing people back, and getting a smile on their face. I will do a lot of Lil’ Kim, and I love dropping “Geenie in a Bottle.” People really love that, and I love it too. So I guess that’s my style. It’s a mash up of what’s going to keep my dancers interested. I literally play all styles. I love reggae, moombahton, hip hop, twerk, house.

How would you describe the Ratchet Wednesday Party at Tabu?

It’s this really awesome marriage between premiering local drag queens, and showcasing my DJing. It’s a dance party, and then a little show, and it’s incredible. It started out as an open bar situation that has elevated, and has gotten a little bit better each week.

I had gotten a gig at Woody’s, and that’s sort of where it all started. Their parties were where I got the majority of my exposure. One day, someone came up to me at the DJ stand. He said, “Hey I’m throwing a party. I’d love to have you DJ at this spot. We’re have a little drag queen thing going on.” I’m gay myself, and being in the community has brought us all very close.

What changes does the summer hold for you?

I’m hosting a new party at the North Shore Beach Club called “Drink or Swim” that starts on May 19. It’s going to be a late-night kind of thing. We’re taking over a really successful party for the summer, and we’re going strong from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. There’s going to be an open bar, and everyone can swim. It’s perfect weather right now, and I’m really looking forward to it.

How would you describe your fan base?

Ratchet definitely has its regulars that love coming to the DJ booth, and I love saying hi to them. My promoter, Josh Schonewolf, promotes a lot of parties in the city. Mostly the fans come for his party – I just happen to be DJing it. But hey, that definitely works out for me. He is my liaison to the club. Josh is the one responsible for sending out the invites, making the flyers, and coming up with the concept for the party. The rest is up to me, to keep people dancing and having a good time.

I really like to make it an open forum. I want to satisfy as many people as possible and keep everyone on their feet. We mostly invite a gay crowd, just because they make up the majority of out Facebook and twitter friends, but everyone is welcome and encouraged to party-hearty.

What is it like for you, being a performer?

It’s one of the most rewarding things ever. I’m a very sociable person, and I feel really lucky to be able to go out and share my music with people. I think I have a good ear, and I think people appreciate it. It’s just fun, and well, I get to drink for free. Definitely a lot of perks to it. DJing is an awesome creative outlet, and I don’t know what I would do without it. Actually, I would probably go insane.

What is it like being a DJ in Philadelphia?

The reason I picked Philadelphia for school was because of the music scene. It was a really interesting mix between what I had seen in Boston and New York. Philly knew what was going on. The Mad Decent thing started in Philadelphia, and I really wanted to be a part of it so I moved here. I got in contact with Diplo and DJ Blaqstarr, because that was the breed of house music that I loved. I still try to make those kinds of tracks as much as I can.

What are listeners getting into with your mixtape?

The mix I put together is totally “DJ JavaScript” to the “t.” It centers around fun and hype house, and vogue tracks. I have two remixes that I’m showcasing on the mix, that are also on my soundcloud. I wanted to be true to my sound, keeping it super approachable and happy-dance appropriate. It’s just under 50 minutes of high-attitude head-boppin.