Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside?
Hello! My name is Tanner Hockey AKA DJ Hockey (he/him). Currently I reside in Vancouver, B.C Canada
Who/what currently inspires you music-wise that has nothing to do with music?
Daily impressions and my emotional state is a source of inspiration. When I go to mix at home I often select based on how I am feeling, or a mood I want to project.
Describe in detail your favorite place to sit & listen to music.
Rather than sitting, my preference for music listening is walking. My walk to and from work is around 30 minutes and I can generally finish an hour mix a day. This time is meditative as I tune everything around me out and focus on the music and walking.
Last track you would want to hear before dying?
Something to lift my spirit like Livin’ Joys Dreamer.
Favorite DJ mixing trick?
Tiny cuts to emphasize a transition or add some oomf.
What animal would you pick to represent the way you DJ?
My tendency to answer to anything animal related is capybara, but maybe in relation to djing I try to mimic being slick and slithery like a snake
How do you avoid burnout?
Minimum of six hours of sleep, disco naps, consistent meals and trying to balance work with play.
Best gig of your life so far?
My favorites have been in open-air forest situations where I can get really psychedelic. I also generally love late night time slots.
Let’s play a pi pi pi game… I give you a situation & you give me a track…
Blasting off into space but everything is in slow motion
Drenched in the rain with a broken umbrella
Lost in a spiral garden
What do you want to listen to when you travel?
My partner and I often travel with the intention to see particular DJ’s, often revolving around Techno.
What is your most recent favorite DJ mix and why?
This recent Rolando mix really gets me. It’s crunchy, groovy and banging. Most Rolando mixes are up my alley.
Any advice to upcoming DJs/producers?
Production for me is rewarding, but tough work. I can fall into periods where the thought of starting a new project can seem daunting, on the flip side I can be very addicted to a project once started. Finding one source of inspiration can be all it takes to push yourself into a new project. Re-interpreting an element of an old song is often helpful for me.
Favorite BPM and why?
I really enjoy 130-135 as it’s a pace that can have drive but people can still marathon dance, or at least I can :).
What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?
More protection for DIY spaces from gentrification and recognition of their cultural importance at municipal levels.