HoustonHipHop.Com caught up with the legendary Cut Chemist at the recent Red Bull 45 Spin event in Houston. Featuring appearances from The Are, DJ Sun, Brett Koshkin, and John Doe.

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This was an incredible event. I’m seriously glad I didn’t miss out on it. I found out super late, like the week of, and jumped at my chance to get involved somehow. Plus they wanted me to give away tickets, and you can’t go wrong with that.

When I got to Warehouse Live around 8:30, people were already starting to pile in. I got to check out the Green Room, talk with some of the Redbull staff, and just kind of walk around and check out the event. I bounced backstage to go chop it up with the homie The ARE, and got a chance to meet John Doe, whom I’m a big fan of. (Seriously, dude is a monster*) The ARE seemed tired, and even though he didn’t admit it, a little nervous. Ran into Sun and Brett Koshkin comparing records and talking shop.

(Photo courtesy of Redbull)

When I finally bounce back to the main area, the crowd was piling in, and I ran into an old friend sitting back with a Redbull and Vodka, catching the scene. I asked him what he thought so far, and gave me a weird, surprised look. “Didn’t expect to see so many people at an event like this man. I thought I was in San Antonio or something for a second.” I asked him how Cee Plus had been holding down the tables so far, and he gave me a disgusted, disappointed look. “What happened to him man?” I tried to explain, but just gave up and excused myself. (That’s a whole other conversation*)

After a few minutes, and a few cans of Redbull later, the opening show hit the floor. Basically, the way it worked was that on the main floor of the room, there was a turntable set up roughly in each corner of the room, and Sun, The ARE, Brett Koshkin, and John Doe each took turns going through their 45 collection and playing music, with the next guy blending right into them. The whole thing was cool to watch each dj bring out their style and energy, while matching the guy before them and kicking it up a notch before the next guy took control. When I asked later, I was told the idea was pretty much the brainchild of Dj John Doe, and damn was it a pleasure to watch. Going from 80’s New Wave, 80’s funk, classic funk, rare groove, breaks, some disco, afro latin, and of course, hiphop. The crowd didn’t know how to expect what would be next.

(Photos courtesy of Redbull)

We tore away to go catch up with Cut Chemist, who is just the coolest dude ever. We sat backstage and chopped it up about graffiti, rockabilly music, traveling, and drinking Redbulls, and the guy was just cool as a fan. Eventually, Cee Plus and his entourage of hipsters stormed the Green Room during the interview (you can hear them getting “shushed” on the video*) and eventaully joined in on the conversation after it was all said and done, and we talked about Houston events in the mid 90’s.

Cut Chemist explained how he was going to perform his set, and I got admit, I didn’t really think too hard about what he said. I completely under-appreciated what he planned to do. I took a look at his set up, and realized he was serious – one turntable, one mixer, one loop pedal, and a small camera. The set was cool as hell, but unfortunately I think it was mostly over the heads of the Houston crowd. The layers of loops, grooves, and samples made an interesting collage of warm bass lines, drum snares, and guitar licks mixed in with all sorts of world music everywhere. I was blown away at watching him work. He didn’t “dj” a set as much as he performed a set. All right in front a hungry group of fans and on lookers, with a camera broadcasting his every movement. No wonder he’s one of the world’s best djs year after year.

(Photo courtesy of Redbull)

Over all, I enjoyed the show from beginning to end. I asked one of my close friends what he thought of the night, and proceeded to unleash to me a string of roaring, vodka fueled rants about why it was great, why the crowd didn’t know what they were experiencing, why B-Boy Craig was the worst host in Houston’s history, which bartender he thought was the cutest, how amazed he was at John Doe’s sets, and why Mai’s is the best after concert food ever, despite the long lines. I had a blast; caught up with people I haven’t seen in a while, laughed at some ridiculous hairstyles and bright orange safety vests, and heard music I never had the privilege of hearing before. Thanks to Redbull for putting this on, and hooking up the tickets. I snapped a few shots with my simple little Sony camera, check them out…

I seriously need a DSLR dammit. Oh, and by the way, you COULD have had free tickets, but you probably missed out. My best suggestion to you would be to follow us on Twitter HERE and add us on Facebook HERE.