Q and A with DJ Tittsworth

Q: I'm sure a lot of local DJs and musicians around here would love to
> know the secret to national notoriety. What did it for you -- the
> mixtapes? The collaborations? The live show?

A: it was the sum of many things, the major ones being:

1. timing. a couple years after i started experimenting with (baltimore)
club music, it started getting international attention. credit is
definitely due to hollertronix and many others. so i'm not saying produce
club music specifically, but do consider the social context of what you do.
2. i was initially known for bootleg vinyl and mp3 remixes so being a
producer was critical (in my case). initially promoters have been surprised
that i could actually dj as well as i can!
3. having said that, djing is also important. you can have great timing
and records but ppl aren't going to (re-)book you if you trainwreck!

other tips that i learned:
- in the beginning, don't be afraid to give you music out! i was so
concerned about leaking tunes and exclusivity, when in actuality that stuff
really isn't important until so much later.
- develop a critical attention to detail. study everything, painfully. why
did this remix get 23 replies and why did the next only get 5? what type of
tune does the floor seem to enjoy the most (what genre, what time period,
what geographical location)?
- spend as much time as you humanly can to be the best at what you do!

>Q: Do you think that where you
live (like, what part of the country you live in) has a lot to do with
how big you can blow up?

A: ultimately i am the product of my environment, so living near b-more and dc
has an incredible influence on who i am musically. having said that, my
whole take on the situation was that i was a dc kid, writing b-more music
with a dance music background. so i am living proof that environment is
important, but by no means the essential. i think ultimately that having a
unique voice is key. there are plenty of people killing it for (b-more)
club that aren't from here- diplo (FL/philly), sinden (uk), bird peterson
(tx), etc.

Q:How did you catch the eye (ear) of magazines
like Urb?

A: i guess i'll never be certain, as i don't have a publicist at the moment,
nor did i ever officially start reaching out to urb, xlr8r, etc. they took
an interest in what i do and for that i am grateful. if i had to guess i
think it would be because the genre is very hot at the moment and also i am
approaching things a bit differently so the music comes out sounding.. well,
"tittsworth!"