wordplay: Shauna Hannon

image: MLAphotonix.com

Gene Jone, AKA DVDJ G-Funk, refuses to settle for one type of music or technology. Transitioning from vinyl to CDJs and now DVDJ-ing has allowed G-Funk to experiment with various effects, and all the while, he has never feared to try new things. G-Funk’s innovative style and daringness to dream has skyrocketed his career, which includes being a Pro Demonstrator for Pioneer, as well as contracts with some of the hottest clubs in the country. Locally, he rocks it with J-Fly Presents, plays DVD sets at both Thëorie and Beta, and is the only Pioneer Pro DJ in the state of Colorado. But don’t think for a minute that DJ-ing (or DVDJ-ing) is all he knows…G-Funk also plays a mean game of soccer, and is a husband and proud father of two sons, ages 7 and 12.

Who are your primary influences?

DJ Q-Bert for his scratching, DJ 2^nd Nature for his audio and video production, and DJ Roonie G & Carl Cox for their energy on stage.

As you are well versed in both, which do you prefer, CDs or vinyl?
I did ten years on vinyl, then heavy records helped me transition to CDs, then DVDs to spin video.  Digital decks allow me to scratch like a madman, then rearrange and remix tracks on the fly - which are key factors in my live shows.  If I had to choose just one deck, it would be the DVJ-1000.

How has time changed DJ-ing and the scene as a whole?  How has it influenced the music you play?

I’ve been spinning in clubs since the early 90s and the change I see now is young clubbers (18+) really digging some old school and retro hits, probably because of all the mash-ups out these days.  I think it’s cool. With time (and age) I’ve also matured and grown more confident in my abilities.  I’m never afraid of trying new things during a live show and most of the time they work.  My sets are always spontaneous and fluid, I like to keep people guessing even if they’ve seen me before.

Where is your favorite place you've been to on tour and why?
My favorite place is LIARS in Des Moines.  The people there party really hard and the club is always packed when I cruise through. Coincidence? Maybe.  It’s so crammed that the owners are building a new club that’s three times the size called The Marquee, due to open late June.      

I was drawn to Colorado because of the snow; I’ve never seen it before.  Is it different from Guam?  Heck yeah!  The coldest I’ve ever felt was 62 degrees and I even turned up the heater in the car.  My first year in Denver was negative 24 degrees…ouch!  But, I love it here; the people are awesome.  I hooked up with JJ from J-Fly Presents via MySpace.  In October, he gave me a chance to spin at Thëorie one night and said, “I’m very hard to please, I hope you’re as good as they say.”  By the end of the night, he was hooked and I’ve been his DJ ever since.

What’s going on right now in your career?  

I have so much going on in my career right now: In November, I got picked up by PIONEER Pro Audio to be a National Pro DJ Demonstrator.  In December, I joined the Denver-based Klutch Beat Bootique mash-up crew.  In March, I joined the Video Assassins, which is comprised of national DVDJs such as Roonie G, 2^nd Nature and DVDJ UNIQUE. Recently, I’ve done shows for Pioneer in Anaheim, Las Vegas and Miami. I was featured at the Promo Only DJ showcase at Studio54 in Vegas. I will be taking part in a 23 city HIN/DUB/NOPI auto show tour with the Video Assassins this summer, and a 40 city “America’s Best DJ” tour for DJ Times and Pioneer as well.

I also signed a one-year exclusive contract with LIARS/The Marquee in Des Moines for two shows a month, and a one-year exclusive contract with OCEAN Nightclub in Waikiki for two shows a month.  I am currently working on producing remixes and club tracks to expand my horizon as a producer and I’m going to be featured in IMAGE Magazine!

I still do some shows for J-Fly Presents.  Also, there are local hot spots like THËORIE and BETA that I stop by every now and then to play a quick video set, but nothing on a regular basis…for now.

May 30th & June13th @ Beta

DVDJGfunk.com