INTRO BY TAMARA CHAPMAN
INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM REED
Just recently voted LA Weekly’s best DJ is a musician who has already gone international, literally. William Reed has jump started his career, already performing alongside highly known artists like Calvin Harris and Kaskade! He’s got a bright future ahead of him and we can’t wait to see what he achieves! Check out this sick interview below!
When did you first get your start in music and who/what inspired you to pursue music?
"My earliest memory of collecting music was saving money as a kid to purchase cassette tapes—LL Cool J, Run DMC and Beastie Boys.
From there as a teenager some years later my father would open the windows on the weekend and crank his stereo—Zeppelin, The Stones, Bowie. This had a monumental impact on my music development.
It wasn’t until I had graduated high school and moved back to the States that I would start DJ’ing weekend house parties for high schoolers. The rest just kind of fell into place from there."
How would you describe your music in three words?
"As both a connoisseur and a DJ of music my tastes are wide and varied. In three words I’d say eclectic, unpredictable and timeless."
Recently you were named Best DJ by LA Weekly. How did it feel when you found this out?
"It came as an absolute massive honor to say the least. There are so many talented DJ’s here in LA—way more talented than me. It’s been quite humbling really. And there’s an element of gratitude when your hard work goes noticed."
What would you say has been your biggest milestone so far in your career?
"The easy and quick answer would probably be a few highlight arena gigs, multiple accolades or sharing the stage with my favorite music icons. But when it’s all said and done the most rewarding moments have been those as a DJ instructor where I have been able to teach and share my knowledge with a classroom of kids. Children are the future and any positive contribution I can make to that is rewarding enough."
If you could collaborate with anybody on a song, who would it be and why?
"Wow that’s a loaded question. I mean, ANYONE? Haha I’d probably say Prince, Serge (Gainsbourg), James (Brown), Bowie or Joe Strummer.
In today’s world I’d love to collaborate on a song with Greg Wilson, Late Nite Tuff Guy or Todd Terje for a dance tune. Those guys are always killing it.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WILLIAM REED
For a more pop oriented track I’d say Mark Ronson, Abel (The Weeknd) or even Calvin Harris. I’m not a fan of EDM but his latest stuff is absolutely on fire!"
Is there anything that we can expect from you in the near future?
"A new collaborative EP this year, announcing my summer long pool party series, more tour dates and who knows—maybe even my own venue!"