DJ Paparazzi has been manning the turntables on the Los Angeles indie scene for years.  His unmistakably original mixes and unique style have made him a fixture in many under-the-radar clubs.  It seems like all the attention would have gone straight to his head but he is still a very down to earth guy. Paparazzi shared with me some new ideas that he and his partner in crime, Franki Chan, want to bring to their club nights as well as why you won’t find him at Le Disko anymore.

How did you get started?
I started 10 years ago in Montebello, where I grew up.  DJ Irene and DJ Richard Vision worked at this record store that I would stop and hang out at, that’s how I got into dance music.  Then, my parents bought me my first turntable. They helped me a lot.

Of the night you host, what is your favorite club night?
I would say Club Redd at Cafe Sevilla on Wednesday nights and Check Yo’ Ponytail [at the Echoplex every first and third Saturday] with Franki Chan because we are able to bring out artists to DJ or perform and other clubs still don’t do that.  Other clubs don’t want to be innovative.

What is so different about Check Yo Ponytail and Club Redd?  
Instead of people just coming to see the band and leave, Franki and I try and push more for a party instead.  We had OK Go and after the band preformed they DJ'd and we helped them spin the music. We try to mix it up a bit.

You’re friends with Franki, Aoki and Le Castle Vania. Do you guys work together a lot? Is there any competition?  
I kind of lost touch with Aoki, he just got so busy doing his own thing. Franki, he is always trying to be innovative, like with new parties, IHEARTCOMIX.com and our blog.  We post new music at least once a day that people can download.

Why don’t you DJ Keith Wilson’s events that much anymore?
I do Check Yo’ Ponytail and Club Redd now because I can be creative. He (Keith Wilson) is not innovative; he is just worried about who is at the club.  People go there to take their pictures and leave.  I don’t care if you’re ugly or not, I just care about the music.

You have a unique sense of style. Do you channel Kanye?
People give me free shit and I wear it, that’s how it’s been lately—whatever looks good.

You’ve preformed with a lot of big names. Who was your favorite?
Hands down, Boys Noize—he’s one of the best DJ’s.

What makes you different than other DJs?
I like to stay ahead of the curve and be the first one who pops out a track. I always get tracks from producers and friends. A lot of times I will be asked to play tracks and report back about the crowd's reaction.

What’s one song that always gets people up on the dance floor?
A remix of “My Moon, My Man,” by Feist.

How do you get prepared for a typical night?
I DJ so often, eight nights a week almost (laughs), I don’t really have a thing anymore.  I’ll listen to music—anything but dance.

What song is stuck in your head?  
“Hearts on Fire” by Cut Copy. My roommate got it stuck in my head.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Haha. Justin Timberlake, anything by him. Also watching “Scrubs” and “Flight of the Conchords.”

Tell me something nobody knows about you.
I’m ambidextrous. I can play instruments with both hands.