Getting to Know Your Local DJs (Part I)

This Saturday, July 13th, is another edition of DC Takeover at U Street Music Hall.  A stellar, local lineup–as usual–promises for a night of good vibes and sweet grooves.

Blisspop wanted to help you get to know your favorite local DJs as dudes beyond the booth, so we’ll be featuring a series of mini profiles–in twos–today, tomorrow, and Friday.

Our first profiles in the series are of Steven Faith, aka Stereo Faith, and Miguel Lacsamana, aka Micah Vellian.

Steven Faith/Stereo Faith

Steven can narrow down his early inspiration to become a DJ back to a party in the late 1980s: “I saw Metro Media, the world-renowned Jamaican sound system at a dark, off the beaten path, dancehall in Northwest D.C. During their set I remember thinking, ‘THAT’S what I want to do for a living.’”

That initial inspiration led to a career that has spanned decades.  While it’s hard to pick one moment that stands out among the rest as a favorite, Steven recalls playing along side Tony Matterhorn at NYS’s King Addies in 1994: “It was one of my first gigs as a DJ, and Addies was/is one of my favorite soundsystems. I’m not sure if any other party, club, or event will eclipse the joy I felt that night.”

As a staple in the DMV electronic music family, Steven loves the “camaraderie that exists” and shows that live by “play good tunes by DC-based producers, bands, and singers,” Faith states. “That’s equally as important to me as the national and international artists I play.”

This sentiment is most reflected on Night Versions, Steven’s weekly radio show, hosted by ESL Radio Live.  A relatively new venture for the DJ, he’s been enjoying the change of venue and the freedom of the airwaves.  “The good people at ESL Music gave me a platform to play whatever I want, without boundaries, every week. In turn, I’ve used that platform to play music I enjoy by many local bands and producers.”

You can listen live (here) every Tuesday from 8-10pm.

Stereo Faith’s Soundcloud

Miguel Lacsamana/Micah Vellian

Miguel was born into a family of musicians, so a career in music was an obvious choice for him.   It wasn’t until he attended Virginia Tech that he first began to discover his passion for DJing.  Miguel reflects, “I immersed myself in the college radio and music scene at VT back in 1997. Eventually I met other DJs and started DJing parties and soon thereafter I began to put on a lot of events and even a few outdoor raves!”

Miguel has become vital to the local scene and, as someone who got his start in the DMV, this is truly an accomplishment.  He adds that “A lot of my musical mentors, electronic or otherwise, are mostly local folks. The great part of it is that I’ve been able to call some of my heroes, friends.”

And it’s this sense of camaraderie that helps keep Miguel’s creativity flowing.  He mentions that there’s often a lot of competition rather than collaboration, and that kind of tension is exactly what stands in the way of creative output. “I’ve also been taking the initiative to corral a lot of my musician, producer and artist friends, this summer, and challenge them all to push content out, kind of like a talent incubator of sorts. My goal is to create opportunities for collaboration across multiple media platforms so that everyone stays working to hone their craft.”

Truly all about the music, Miguel loves making people dance and smile, regarding those moments as the most rewarding as a DJ.

Aside from DJing and producing, Miguel makes up one-third of DC-based electronic group Volta Bureau and you can check out his own productions and mixes here.