Photo by Martin "DJ Graffiti" Smith

Martin Smith, better known to the world as DJ Graffiti, has been one of my biggest inspirations since my college days. I have had the privilege work with him at A-Side Worldwide, where he is the VP of Marketing, and been able to throw some business his way for his DJ and photo booth service – Snapfuze. I used to share stages with him at many a hip hop show back in my performance days. As a successful DJ and business owner, Graffiti has helped many ambitious young people see what is possible if you put a little thought into your hustle. If not for Graffiti, Animal House Party probably would not exist, so it is an honor to have his as our headlining DJ.

Hubert: A birdie told us that you’re a pretty big deal; even though, you’d humbly deny it. Think about some big deal DJs, which of them inspire you?

DJ Graffiti:

• DJ Jazzy Jeff
• DJ Dez
• Questlove
• D-Nice
• Houseshoes

The DJs listed above are ones that are my biggest inspirations, but honestly the DJs that I hang out with on weekends and DJ events with around Detroit influence me most. Even though they may not be “big names”, working together and sharing songs, tips, or just borrowing elements from their styles is the biggest source of growth for me.

Hubert: You’re from Metro Detroit, but you’ve been in Ann Arbor since college. How do you think the regions have shaped your DJ style?

Photo by Martin "DJ Graffiti" Smith

DJ Graffiti: Being in the Detroit area has shaped my DJing by making soul a major component of whatever I’m playing. I spin many different genres of music but there’s always a certain groove or underlying soul that has to be there whether I’m spinning Hip-Hop, R&B, Electronic, Rock, Reggae or Indie music. I don’t know that being in Ann Arbor has shaped my DJ style that much, but I’ve learned from every DJ I’ve ever worked with. It’s great to have so much talent concentrated in this area. Often when I’m spinning out of town, or when people move away they tell me they miss Detroit’s DJs because they have so much soul.
Hubert: Now let’s talk animals a bit. Did you grow up with animals in your home?

DJ Graffiti: Growing up, I had a wonderful mutt named Rover Lee Smith. I’m an only child and he was my best friend. I was afraid of dogs until my parents bought him for me. Even though sometimes I’d make him wait until I was done watching TV or playing video games before I’d feed him or let him outside, he always loved me unconditionally. I believe I took for granted how much he meant to me until he passed away. It’s heartwarming to have a pet that’s jumping at your ankles extremely happy to see you every time you walk through the door. Every once in a while these days I think I see him running around out of the corner of my eye. Even writing this now I miss him. I’m dedicating my DJ set to Rover aka Roggie, the best dog ever!

Hubert: When you think about animal welfare as someone that lives in Ann Arbor, what comes to mind?

DJ Graffiti: I’m not really sure that how I feel about animals is shaped by my living in Ann Arbor. My views are pretty simple and straight forward. Animals give us their best, so they deserve the best from us as well. I’m looking forward to adopting a dog in the next few years. Hubert: AMEN

Hubert: That’s awesome. I want to switch up one more time to your “day job.” As the VP of Marketing at A-Side Worldwide, you help manage a solid line-up of music acts as well as provide creative marketing services for major brands, so you know about captivating an audience on so many levels. Sometimes it seems like the music industry is a lot like the nonprofit sector. They both provide something with intrinsic value. Not every nonprofit effort is going to be huge, what do you feel are some of the similar characteristics of a successful music act and a successful nonprofit?

DJ Graffiti: Both a nonprofit and a musician start from the premise that someone out there will benefit from what they spend their time creating. Whether it’s music, or a greater good for people, places or things, someone at the end of the day will benefit from what you’re offering. I guess that is just as true of a for profit business. I’m not sure that a good for profit business shouldn’t have some intrinsic value in its offerings as well. Often the most successful characteristic of a music act, nonprofit and a for profit business is that at the end of the day someone would be willing to do what they’re doing regardless of whether money is involved. Putting a smile on someone’s face, helping someone get through a hard period in life or even saving a life is the ultimate goal. Money is secondary and is mainly important because it allows the artist, nonprofit or for-profit company to scale that benefit to a larger group.

Hubert: One of the things we’re looking to do with AHP is show nonprofits and social entrepreneurs alike, the new ways to garner attention in the best way possible. I’m sure A-Side pulls experience working with major brands to help develop artists like Mayer Hawthorne. What attributes do you feel are universal to truly building a platform to attract a particular audience?

DJ Graffiti: For us at A-Side it generally goes more the other way around. We take the much more experimental experience of working with and promoting artists and apply that to working with brands once we’ve found techniques that are tested. One thing that I feel is universal is knowing the audience that you’re trying to reach. You have to know the audience you’re going after no matter what you’re promoting. Find out what that audience wants and how they like to be approached before trying to promote to them. Create a plan for how you’ll reach that audience in a way that they’ll appreciate and you’ll get much stronger results. I’m not sure if that exactly answers your question, but that’s my answer. J

The lovely and talented DJ Kim Sorise, who not only happens to be cousin but could also be my doppelganger, currently resides in Louisville, KY. She grew up in Metro Detroit where she molded her musical taste and knowledge. A former WDET reporter, Kim teaches America’s youth by day but you will still catch her DJing out at a Derby City Roller Girls match or a wedding on any given night. You can also check out her weekly radio show SoundHouse on Viva-Radio.com every Thursday. Kim is also an animal lover and is the proud mama to two cute beagles named Benny age 12 and Freddie age 2! Both are rescue dogs and are absolutely adorable!

She was nice enough to answer a few questions for us recently. I hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as I had conducting it!

Eliza: What were your musical influences growing up in Metro Detroit? (Yes, generic question) What music was played in your house?

Kim: My biggest early musical influences were my parents. Mom was a huge fan of folk and Black Sabbath; Dad loved Dr. John, jazz, and Frank Zappa.  However, around the age of 11 or 12, I found the Electrifying Mojo. I quickly became a member of the Midnight Funk Association, stayed up way too late dancing on my back and hanging on every word and record he played. To this day, Mojo (Charles Johnson) is my broadcast hero.

Eliza: Being a DJ is mostly a male-dominated industry. What brought you into that realm?

Kim: I started DJing in an effort to support my record buying habit. At 16, I sold some 500 cassette tapes and started buying jazz LPs; this is where it all started. In my mid 20s, I was working at WDET as a news producer and production engineer, and I talked them into letting me become a substitute music host. DJing all kind of steam-rolled thereafter. Most professions have been male-dominated at some time – it has never bothered me.

Eliza: Great answer! How many records do you think you own?

Kim: I think maybe 4500 LPs and around 750 45s. It’s not a huge collection, but it does me just fine.

Eliza: When did you move to Louisville?

Kim: I moved to Louisville on Dec. 18, 2000 in the middle of a blizzard. I got a job at Louisville’s public radio stations to work as a feature reporter and the NPR liaison, as well as music host; I also began a youth radio project for high school kids which contributed to a career change 5 years later. I’ve been in the classroom ever since. But as far as DJing in public – in Louisville is where it took off for me, primarily because I had radio shows to back it up. But even as a teacher, I still manage multiple gigs a month and many more during the summer months.

Eliza: Favorite places to record shop here in Detroit?

Kim: My favorite place to shop for records in Detroit or really anywhere is People’s. I have known Brad (Hales) for years even when he worked for Encore in Ann Arbor and Desirable Discs in Dearborn. I was thrilled for him when he opened the shop. He is truly one of the city’s finest musical archivists. When in town, I also try to make stops at Car City; Record Graveyard; Stormy and Hello.

Eliza: Top 5 things you really miss about Detroit?

Kim: Five things I really miss about Detroit (way more than 5)

1. My friends and family, 2. Lafayette Coney Island at 2:30am, 3. The Detroiter at Buddy’s Pizza, 4. Better Maids, 5. Driving around the city late at night after a fresh snowfall listening to 580 Memories; there is really nothing more beautiful and soulful.

Eliza: Music sitting in your CD player or iPod playlist right this very second and why?

Kim: I was just putting together a new music playlist for my show Soundhouse on Viva-radio.com; it’s all about food to celebrate my newly renovated kitchen. So the first thing on my playlist is “Food for My Soul” by The Dragons, which features a young Daryl Dragon, one third of the Dragon-brother trio, who went on to become the “Captain” from Captain and Tenille.

 Eliza: Did you have pets growing up?

Kim: I did have pets growing up. I had two dogs in my youth, the first was Suzie in the Sky with Diamonds (at 2, this is what I thought the song was called) – she was a collie. The second was a mutt named Shadoobie (after the Rolling Stones song “Shattered”). She was affectionately referred to as either “Doobie” or “The Doob,” both of which cause problems at school when I was talk about the dog.

I have two dogs now, Benito Boogaloo Boogieshoe, Benny for short, is a rescue from the Humane Society in Louisville. I have had him for almost 11years; he’s my best buddy. Freddie named in honor of all the wonderful musical Freddie’s like Hubbard and Mercury. He, too, is a rescue and he is about 3.5; we’ve had him a little over 2 years.

Both of them are characters, Benny has always been a dancer, but now he’s starting to slow down and snores more than he boogies. Fred actually has some serious cat-like mannerisms and instincts. Neither really do any tricks, but they both are the world’s best snugglers. My life would not be complete without these dogs!

Eliza: Here in Detroit, there is a huge animal overpopulation problem that the city struggles to deal with. What is the animal welfare situation down in Louisville?

Kim: Yes – we do have animal overpopulation issues in Louisville, but Louisville is a very dog-friendly city. You can take your dogs in stores and to sidewalk cafes.

We have a couple very active No Kill groups that have made an impact and have forced the issue for some of the large animal shelter to change their policies. They all so rescue and foster out animals that are slated for euthanasia. Interestingly enough, both of my dogs were rescued following hunting season. It seems that after rabbit or various other hunting seasons in Kentucky, if a beagle (or hunting dog) doesn’t cut it in the field he is often let go to fend for himself or dropped at a shelter. Both of my dogs were in this predicament; Benny was wandering several counties over and Fred was a drop off; both were with days of being put down. We have a huge over population of beagle and beagle mix dogs at our shelters.

Eliza: What can we expect from your DJ set on August 6^that the Whitney?

Kim: For my set on August 6, folks can expect some serious groovers and a lot of music that will celebrate the city of Detroit. I may even throw in some field recordings of my beagles for good measure – after all it is an animal party!

We can’t wait to see Kim on Saturday August 6^th at the Whitney!

-Eliza Sorise-Sawyers