Zano Bathroom in his ATL record room
Tell us about your favorite childhood object...
My toy is Godzilla. I always loved Godzilla growing up, and I had a toy version of him. The one
When did you live in Atlanta? how did you end up there?
I've been in Atlanta since 2003. I had an internship in Europe that ended, and I came here to stay with my dad until I could got my own place.
At what point did you realize music was something you wanted to pursue?
I've loved music my whole life. I enjoy presenting different genres side by side.
Describe your sound. How did you get into playing that type of music?
The name I have for my set is "Afreqan Space Program". All the records I play come from my appreciation of Hip Hop, digging for new sounds and lesser known old sounds. Taking all these divergent dance genres and mashing them all back together via the turntables.
Which music medium do you prefer to use and why? Vinyl? CD? MP3?
I prefer vinyl, but if I have some creative plans in regards to the whole digital DJ emergence.
How do you discover new music? any secret resources you want to turn us onto?
I work at a record store. New music is around me everyday. I have some secret sources that I'd rather not reveal.
Take us through your creative process.
My creative process for DJing is weird. The actual performance is on the fly, as far as which records I will play. But, the records themselves I think about constantly. I usually bring about twice as much as I'll need, because I like to change genres a lot in my set.
For beats, anything goes. I was in elementary school when I first started making up my own music.I got my first keyboards in the '80's, and then my first drum machine in 1990. Later I started working with samples. Whatever hits me at the time, I go with it.
How would you say Southern culture/living in Atlanta has influenced your work??
I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. It's better now, but the '90's, that meant I had to work extra hard to find certain albums, or find other folks interested in the same sounds I was. In some ways, that makes me feel like I have a deeper appreciation than someone who could just wake up and go outside and see park jams, etc. At the same time, I have always been interested in other southern emcees and pro- ducers and how they add to southern flavor to Hip hop.I love being from the south, it gives a different perspective.
Who/What are some of your inspirations?
I am inspired just by living, talking to other people,constantly performing, constantly thinking, and constantly digesting work from others, in any form.
Who are some of your favorite Atlanta artists?
Rather than name specific people, I'll say anyone who goes out of their way to be innovative. The kind of people who get accused of "trying to hard". The people who value concept as well as technique.
Where is your favorite atlanta hang out?
I strongly support Atlanta's dance clubs, art galleries, thrift stores, second hand establishments, pawn shops, record stores, book stores, libraries, and junk yards.
What music/album are you currently listening to?
see #10, insert any era/ genre of music....
What is one thing you love about your life?
Paying dues- Growth ensues....
check out his myspace page for updates on shows: http://www.myspace.com/zano88 and listen to some music here: