Meet UNH’s own, DJ Lushous. A senior studying Computer Engineering, Lushous’ real passion lies not behind a computer screen but behind the turn table. If you don’t know him already, you will. From mixing up dirty beats at frat parties, to opening for epic shows in Boston, this guy certainly knows how to get the crowd going. We got the chance to interview DJ Lushous and ask how he turned his hobby into a side job while becoming a well known DJ both on and off the UNH campus.
Name: Curtis Lush
Hometown: Collingwood, Ontario, Canada
Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DJLushous
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DjLushous
Instagram: http://instagram.com/djlushous
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj-lushous
Tell us how you came up with the name DJ Lushous.
I actually cannot take any credit for the name “Lushous” other than being born with the last name Lush. Since I started DJing, a teammate of mine on the UNH ski team would constantly scream out “DJ Lushous!” every time he saw me. At that point in my career, I was going under another name and honestly couldn’t stand being called Lushous. As the months went by though, it slowly started to catch on and finally I decided that I would embrace Lushous. It definitely comes with a price of constant mockery, but I think it’s an interesting play on the word luscious and also includes my name (which is definitely a last name to be proud of in college). So yeah here I am two years later, happily attached with Lushous, Thanks Sam Coffey!
How long have you been djing?
That’s actually a tough question to answer and one I get asked quite often. Growing up travelling as a skier, a lot of time was spent in vans going from race to race. It was always a passion of mine to play songs during the rides and keep everyone entertained. I would say I started really getting into the music about 6 years ago, but finally coughed out the money to buy my first mixer only about 4 years ago. It all really started to come together when I was freshman, where I was given chances to play in frats and parties without much competition. It was these small shows that really attracted me to the music scene. Unlike most DJs, I never liked the spotlight, almost the exact opposite. I am just truly a fan of music in every way possible. It’s sad but since my freshman year, times have changed and anybody with iTunes thinks they can DJ (some funny stories there, maybe for another time).
Which venues have you DJed in the past and which is your favorite?
I guess lets start with the past. I have played at a decent amount of frats around campus (Sigma Nu, PBG, Theta, SAE). Through the music organization I am involved in on campus (UNH EDMC), I have played a few shows in the MUB. I also got the chance to play at Libbys for a Redbull DJ competition. I have had some club experience, one of which was last night at Rumur Boston (Opening for Starkillers). Last spring I got to play at May Day, which I thought was a very unique and different event. The favorite though is not a hard one, since it has been a dream of mine since my first show I went to at UNH. Last spring, my partner Rhyot and I got the chance to open up the Wild On UNH show in Whittemore Center. Not only was this a chance to play a full arena style setup, but also to open for some of my idols in the music industry (Morgan Page, KapSlap, Tommie Sunshine etc.).
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What would you say is your favorite genre of music?
Its amazing how the questions you would think are easy to answer are actually the hardest. My ADD definitely comes out in my music listening as it honestly changes day by day. Ask me a year ago, I would have said anything with a good beat, 6 months ago Progressive/ Electro House, 3 months ago Deep House and now I really don’t know. In the past few weeks I have been toying with this question a lot, trying to decide the direction I want to go and stick with it. But end of the day I know I’ll just change my mind again a week later. I like having a big diversity in my sets and right now I would say my spectrum of music is huge.
What’s on your personal most-recently played list?
Haha this is going to be fun for everyone to read. As I mentioned above my latest go to music was a deep house / summer saxophone style. When it’s a beautiful summer day and you are sitting back with a cold drink, nothing is better than house music. You get that subtle jazzy feel, mixed in with a smooth bassline and ending with a catchy soft vocal. I’m going to just list some tracks, grab a drink, sit outside and you will know what I am talking about!
Passenger – Let Her Go (Peer Kusiv Edit)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdxYiCd782c)
Bakermat – Vandaag
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzCWGGG2gQc)
Nora En Pure – Sweet Melody
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgBSgfoNFRI)
Maverick Sabre – I Need ( Luis Leon Blue Sky edit)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP92HVsE5SQ)
Naxxos – New Orleans
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2daor2cv264)
Chalie Boulala – Sonnenkind
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a0mMvL0GCs)
Hopefully that wasn’t unbearable? So another artisit that has racked up the plays these past few months is Daft Punk. No, not Get Lucky, because there are far better tracks on the album. I’m almost grateful that the radio ruined that song, because it kept the rest of them hidden! Here are a few nice funky tracks guaranteed to get people moving:
Daft Punk ft. Panda Bear – Doin’ It Right
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA5PRj7KPkE)
Daft Punk ft Pharrell Williams – Lose Yourself To Dance
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Bp1QVVieM)
Touch Sensitive – Pizza Guy
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uXrXTSASK0)
Norbrook – Move Your Body (Tommie Sunshine Remix)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM1AfIK70D4)
Well I’m hoping that somewhat answered the question, I know I got a little carried away but I love my music haha!
What is the most common request you get?
Oooo requests, touchy subject with a DJ. I’m sure everyone at one point in there life has had somebody tell them at work that they are doing something wrong. That’s what getting a request is like for a DJ. I don’t mind if somebody comes up and asks nicely for a song and if it is good, I will generally play it. As music is constantly changing, so are the common requests. Levels was definitely a big one in the past. A lot of 50 Cent requests too! To be honest, I don’t get many requests when I’m playing, which hopefully means I’m doing a good job?
What is the most annoying request you get?
I know this answer is not going to bode well since this is a site for women but it is hands down Nicki Minaj. I really don’t know what it is, but I just cannot get into anything she is involved in. Have I played any of her songs? Yes. Did I hate myself for doing it? Yes.
What is your go-to song?
Once again since they are constantly changing I will just pick some recent ones. I played this one last night and the crowd reaction was one of the best I have seen in a while. It takes a song that everbody loves and puts a fun new twist on it.
Darude – Sandstorm ( Candylands OG Remix)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlwLqRJgn20)
Playing a top 40 remix is always big, because you get the vocals that everybody can sing along with mixed with a beat they can dance with.
Fun – We Are Young (Alvin Risk Remix)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY9vVu9PQQQ)
As I think deeper, I would say an always go to for the past few years and will be for years to come is Cascada.
Cascada – Everytime We Touch
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK0GmiSMNGI)
What is one piece of advice that you would like to pass on to someone in the DJ business?
My biggest piece of advice to anybody in the DJ world is to love what you do. If you are having the time of your life while your playing, so will the people you are playing for. There is nothing harder to get into then a DJ that sits there on his phone texting between song changes. DJing has got to be one of the most fun jobs in the world and to think I get paid to do it is mind blowing!
What has been your favorite/most memorable moment as a DJ?
My most memorable experiences are actually starting to happen more and more often. For me, getting the opportunity to open up for a big DJ is a dream come true. While doing sound check in the Whitt last semester, I turned around and KapSlap was standing behind us watching. This is an artist that I had been listening to for years and have played his songs time and time again. It was one of those moments where I really started to think this DJ thing could be something more than a hobby.
Who is YOUR favorite DJ?
Since the first time I heard one of this tracks, to seeing and hanging out with him at UNH, its still AVICII. I remember the feeling when I first heard Bromance, I knew this guy was going to be big. Could I have predicted this big, no but I am not complaining. With this new direction he has taken with his music, I only respect him more. He took a risk with new type of music and it has only made him more popular.
Well thanks for having me, it’s been an honor and I hope to see some of you at my next show!