I know all you Frequency readers pick up the print version of The Bulletin every day, so you probably saw this in today’s GO! Magazine. But just in case: Local DJ Mud (aka Mike Graham) is moving to Portland very, very soon, which is a bummer for Central Oregon’s dance-floor denizens, but great for him.
Bend is a town with several cool, creative DJs, but I’ve always connected with Mud’s work more than anyone else’s. Not sure why; I just dig his aesthetic: dark, murky, minimalist, slightly agitated. If you’re unfamiliar, he’s got lots of music available online. Start here, with his newest mix, called “Let Tomorrow Be”:
Mud – Let Tomorrow Be by mudsimple
You can grab tons of other stuff at his Soundcloud account, and here are two other mixes that I posted last year. (He’s also the man who made this classic track, don’t ya know.)
OK, enough screen-gazing. You need to go and say goodbye to Mud and dance, once more, to his sound. Tonight is the official Farewell Mud party, starting around 10 p.m. at The Blacksmith (211 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend). On hand will be Mud’s old buddy Mosley Wotta, hosting and toasting and doing what he do.
If’n your interested, I sent Mud a few questions (yes, they’re the same as from this post … I’m lazy) and he sent me back a few answers:
Q: Why are you moving? And why Portland?
A: I’m moving because Portland is an amazing city with a lot more opportunities available to me. I was moved to this town by my family in 1989, and while I always loved Bend in many ways, I also felt that I needed to be back in a bigger city. Culturally I can’t say Bend and I share a lot of interests. I intended to move there as soon as I graduated high school. That was 13 years ago. Now all the stars have aligned and all signs point to this being the right time to make the move.
Q: Do you hope/plan/want to perform over there? If so, what would be your dream (regular) gig?
A: I fully intend to pursue performing again in the Portland area, and beyond. At this point though I feel like all opportunities are ahead of me. So I dare not limit myself by being more specific than that. I could be continuing as a professional DJ, I could be returning to being a DJ with a day job, or I could go back to being a bass guitarist.
Q: What was your favorite gig ever in Bend?
A: There have been so many great parties and events in this town that I’ve had the fortune of being a part of, but one night that stands out the most to me was the final night of The Grove. I played the longest set of my career that night, and sweat more than I knew I could. I gave 110%, as the saying goes. I finally had to just lay down on the stage and get some rest as the night ended.
Q: Can you describe how Bend’s scene has contributed to your growth and development as a musician?
A: Bend and I have had a long relationship. I tend to believe that the more challenges thrown your way the stronger you become, and Bend has provided no shortage of challenges to me. Some I’ve risen to meet, some I’ve crumbled in the face of. That said, Bend has also provided many many people who’ve given me more opportunities than I maybe should have been given. The support of the community here really is amazing.
Q: Anything else you want the people of Bend to know? Any other shout-outs you’d like to make? Anything else at all?
A: I’ll be back.
Tags: DJ Mud
