The art of the DJ: Keeping the melody in-tact at all times while in the mix

DJ/Artist Name: DJ Operator (DJ OP)

Music Style(s): House, Techno, etc

Skills: DJ, Music Reviewer

Currently: DJing at a party near you. Check out the event calendar for details.

Background: Tom started DJing house parties playing Booty-House. Eventually moved into the Techno scene in by joining the WNUR 89.3FM crew in Evanston and playing the Give Thanks parties while holding down a bi-weekly residency on WNUR 89.3FM and the rest is history. Tom resides in Chicago.

Influences: Riva Starr, Diplo, Hot Since 82, Richie Hawtin, Ben Sims, Luke Slater, G-Force, Matthew Dear, Isolee

History: Initially inspired by the sound of the blaring house music at many Evanston parties, Tom took a liking to DJing especially the YMCA parties for the youths. At that time, he discovered Techno and the Rave/Club scene. Wanting to learn more, Tom joined WNUR after a conversation with a friend who was an Industrial DJ for Streetbeat. After joining and apprenticing for a year, Tom was given his own radio slot on Wednesday nights from 1-2am. People started calling the station looking for “the guy with the sexy voice”. Through these experiences and countless trips to the record store, he has gradually developed an ear for the sounds of Tech-House, Techno, and Minimal Techno, which he perpetuates through every set on the 1s, the 2s, and even the 3s and 4s.

Top 10 releases from a few years ago:
Richie Hawtin – Decks, Efx, and 909
DieselBoy – System Upgrade
Stereolab – Emperor, Tomato, Ketchup
Boards of Canada – Geogatti
Paul Simon – Graceland
User (Dean Cole) – 13
Warp Compilations – 10+3 Remixes
Radiohead – Hail to the thief
Jeff Mills – Kat Moda EP
James Cotton – Mind Your Manners