DJ Packo Midweek Interview with Melissa Moniz

Midweek – The Lowdown
By: Melissa Moniz
November 21, 2008

Kalani Pokipala

Aka:
DJ Packo

Age:
24

High School graduated from:
Kealakehe, class of 2002

Where Living Now:
Oahu

How long have you been DJing?
Got my first pair of turntables in September of 1999, so just about nine years. But, of course, I’ve been fascinated by the art for a bit longer.

What is your favorite genre of music to listen to?
I’m attracted toward the jazzy sides of just about any genre. I mean, if it sounds good and my head can nod to it, then I can dig it. As for any specifics, urban/underground hip-hop, jazz, downtempo, reggae, and drum ‘n’ bass. I think they all go hand-in-hand.

What do you feel you have to offer to the music scene?
To push the art of the turntable and to shed more light on it as an actual instrument. I personally like the scratch aspect of the DJ most, and I feel I should be a part of the movement here in Hawaii. I’ve studied it for years and was privileged to learn from the most influential DJs of my time, but the majority of people in Hawaii don’t look at it the way I do. It’s just a silly thing some would call a passion. The average person cannot listen to scratch music hours on end like myself, so I use the idea of mixtapes as my outlet. It gives me a chance to slice and unite recordings and make it unique to myself while achieving a subtle, exclusive composition. I feel others should be given more options to the immense pool of music out there, without having to sift and sort through all the crud. At the same time, I get to add a more pleasing and amiable sound to the scratch itself, that I initially set out to do. My job is to give my audience what I believe is necessary.

What projects are you currently working on?
I have a few projects in the work as we speak. Firstly, I will be dropping a new Hip Hop mixtape that will be out in early-mid December titled Mosquito Diesel. It has a basic mosquito theme behind it — They transfer to the victim blood and diseases, which then infects them. Same concept applies in an optimistic way, of course. I am attempting to infect the blind world with a pinch of musical malaria, while fueling the media with good vibes.
Another promotional mixtape I also released to the public a few months ago entitled “Metrognome in the Meadow.” Distribution still going strong.
Furthermore, I am the DJ for a live Hip Hop band called “The Spacifics.” We are currently working on a studio album, and also opening up the Atmosphere show at Pipeline Café this Saturday, November 22. We do have an EP out now, featuring 3 MCs from Hawaii’s SIQ Record label.

Where are your mixtapes available?
Prototype, Stylus Honolulu, Urbanz Toys, Exclusive HI and through myself directly.

What are your goals musically?
To immortalize myself with more product and achievements. To travel because the music said so. To share knowledge and presence with the greatest of musical minds on this Earth. And to always be half way there.

Website/contact info?

http://www.myspace.com/djpacko

http://skratchmore.com