DJ RJD2 mixes to a live beat.
The Philadelphia native, whose real name is Ramble John “RJ” Krohn, recently released his third record, titled “The Third Hand.” Krohn said the album is based much more in live music.
“My first two records were sample-based, kind of cut from the instrumental hip-hop type of cloth,” he said. “This record had some of those elements, but just the drums are done on a sampler. All the rest is live.”
For the first time, Krohn will perform with a four-piece band and as a DJ, presenting both old and new music. “It?s really gonna be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said. “It?s almost guaranteed that you aren?t going to see this show again. The likelihood of me assembling the caliber of musicians I have here is slim to none.”
“The Third Hand” also boasts more vocals from Krohn. “My other [records] were kind of 70/30 instrumental vs. vocal. The new record has about 30/70 instrumental vs. vocal,” he said.
Krohn will perform at the Sonar Lounge in Baltimore as part of his new tour. He prepared by practicing nearly every day since the beginning of January.
“I?m excited; I can?t wait to play,” Krohn said. “I can?t use the word nervous, it?s more like, I?m curious of what the reaction is going to be like. I put a whole lot into the show.”
“The last time RJD2 performed at Sonar was one of the most creative and original DJ performances I have seen in my 12 years of promoting DJ-oriented events,” said Lonnie Fisher, owner of the Sonar Lounge in Baltimore.
The DJ said that even if he isn?t directly involved with the music industry in the future, he?s going to be making music for a long time.
“I can?t see myself stopping recording music; I enjoy it too much and it?s just too rewarding from a personal perspective,” Krohn said.
IF YOU GO
RJD2 with Happy Chichester, Busdriver and Pnyce
» Venue: Sonar, 407 E. Saratoga St., Baltimore
» Time: 9 p.m. Saturday
» Tickets: $20
» Info: www.rjd2site.com
