Born Alex Bernstein and hailing from suburban Maryland, DJ Kool Jew has come a long way since his days back at Beth Shalom Hebrew School. “Even when I was in services, I was always humming, always dreaming of big things.”
As a teen, Bernstein played in a bunch of bands, performing at spots as varied as DC’s dingy Black Cat and the famed Fletcher’s in Baltimore. He enrolled at Bard College last year, intending to study music and literature, but it didn’t last. “I had to figure some shit out,” he says cryptically. Bernstein did what the Jewish refugees of the past have always done in times of turmoil—he moved to NY. While his persona is still shrouded in mystery, the DJ’s musical skills couldn’t be more obvious. We spoke to DJ Kool Jew in his recording studio slash apartment in Brooklyn.
Why call yourself DJ Kool Jew?
It just sort of happened. It reflects how I connect my Judaism with a hip DJ perspective.
For those who haven’t heard your music, how would you describe it?
It’s an eclectic-yet-danceable blend of contemporary Internet culture — using YouTube videos and club-minded back beats.
Who are your musical influences?
I take inspiration from all over the place. I definitely, from a production stand point, look at people like Danger Mouse, Soulico, Timbaland, and all the Shemspeed stuff for guidance. At the same time, I can’t rule out Brian Wilson, Phil Spector, Lee Scratch Perry, or my main man, Matisyahu.
You seem to have some sort of association with Heeb Magazine. Care to share?
I played at their Heebonism event this year, but that’s about it. But I have always loved their magazine. It’s edgy and at times controversial. I admire their ‘we’re not here to please everybody’ attitude. It’s really as ‘street’ as a Jewish organization can be outside of, say, an unfriendly Chasidic man or something.
You had some unusual samples at your premiere performance at Heebonism in NYC this past Christmas Eve. I faintly made out the sound of Zack Galifianakis screaming at one point. Am I nuts?
Ha! Well, no, you’re not nuts, at least in regards to the Zach Galifianakis sample. As I said, my compositions try to bring together disparate elements of Internet and club culture, whether obnoxious, subtle, well-known, or arguably random. The Zach Galifianakis sample, while abrasive, had a musicality to it once it was brought into a sample-context. That is the beauty of sampling as well as YouTube: You can find gems. Something as wild as CBS’s Public Access Holiday Pap Smear Campaign that would otherwise just be regarded as strange on television. YouTube allows anyone to reevaluate commercials, Internet personalities, clips, etc. – and, whether intentional or not, it lets DJs sample these bits of pure, innocent genius to make something larger, new, and most important, danceable out of it. It’s the diamond in the rough effect.
Do you think it’s cool to be a Jew?
In my opinion, absolutely. Because for me, as well as many others I know, the identity associated with being Jewish is one of enigma and experimentalization. You do not need to wear a particular hat, yarmulke or mask to be Jewish and can really find your own niche within it. For me, I use my own heritage and religion to fuel my music, identify with partygoers, fans — those who understand on a deeper and similar level our Judaism. It’s also a religion that puts heavy emphasis on enjoying the moment, being revelrous and loving those around you regardless of differences, at least in theory. This is the part of being Jewish I feel I enjoy the most and find the coolest. That’s why people attending my parties are having the best time.
Listen to DJ Kool Jew’s beats at www.myspace.com/djkooljew.
Heebonism New York City Recap: DJ Kool Jew’$ Review Plus Mash-ups
Chevonne: Jewish Princess with Drag Sensibilities
Nice interview. I loved the book!
You should sample me in one of your songs!
Where can you hear his music?
You know, it’s also “cool to be a hater.”
To pick up where brainyfox left off……..You count the Great Lee/Pipecock Jaxon/ Perry as an influence??!!
Have you EVER? I mean fucking EVER listened to Return Of The Super Ape in an abandoned building at 3 in the morning, full blast, with a psychotic
I have, it’s far better in a library barely audible while locked in eye contact with a cute girl.
Ok.
You now have the right to check Lee Perry as an influence…
But isn’t the cute girl going to think “Cow Thief Skank” a little odd and ask for something from Beyonce instead?
He really is cute as a button XD
kill yourself
I actually expected that ‘kill yourself’ comment to be an ad, possibly with a helpful hyperlink to one of those ‘death with dignity’ sites.
Disappointing XD
was talking to the dj jew but you can too
Oooh, that almost rhymed.
Maybe you and DJ Jew (or the DJ Jew as the case may be…maybe I should call myself ‘the’ Puck from now on, or would that just confuses Shakespeare and Hockey fans?) could like, burn some shizzle…or the like.
Where can I see DJ Kool Jew perform? Is he on Shempspeed?
ED Hardy Hoodies ED Hardy Hoodies
Ed Hardy Swimwear Ed Hardy Swimwear
Reply
Well truly speaking I didn’t heard about DJ Kool before, but after reading the interview, I am thinking to listen to his collection. Thanks
cheap flights to Austin Reply
G Star Raw G Star Raw
G Star G Star
Jeans G Star Jeans G Star
G Star sale
You can get ugg boots,
uggs boots sale,and
Reply
pple tried to stop by the supra mens shoes HTC smartphones manufactured imports of the importance of addressing the bla
Google may pay heed. “Level of community support is certainly one supra parts of the factors we’re considering,” says a Google spokesman who Reply
“We know that now divide and handbags conquer strategy,” White said. “We understand the truth of the distraction tactics. We understand that no Texan leather handbags
Democrats now will proceed supra turbo with a straight up-or-down vote on the health new supra care bill that passe
Woods is the star of Nike Golf, which produces supra mk3 parts apparel including his high-end TW shoes online shirt
Apple tried to stop by the Supra footwear HTC smartphones manufactured imports of the importance of addressing the supra shoesr smart phone patent dispute the role of th
Google may pay heed. “Level of community support is certainly one Supra Shoes Online Sale of the factors we’re considering,” says a Google spokesman who Supra Shoes Buy
Long before that nighttime soap brought him international tag heuer fame, Forsythe worked steadily in both film and TV, earning an Emmy nod back in 1953. Forsythe also tag heuer contended at the
Prior to airing the two-hour series finale, there will be a replica watches one-hour recap of all six seasons of this 2005 Emmy winner for best drama replica watches series. Then after the replica watches show, Jimmy Kimmel Reply
Tom Quinn, senior VP of Magnolia, calls replica watches this an incredible achievement on so many levels. On average, less than 50 specialized films replica watches a year cross the $1 million mark, so to see our little program replica watches blossom int
Dylan won the Oscar in 2000 for his replica breitling watches original song Things Have breitling watches Changed for the film Wonder Boys. Bennett Marcus attended the wrap breitling watches party for Ugly Betty and details the highs and lows
But he’s dug himself a partisan hole with this big bill, and it’ll be interesting to breitling watches see him try to dig his way out. On the one hand, an Academy Award is nothing to sneeze at. Bullock has Reply
It’s almost as bad when you ask tag heuer watches voters how the law will affect them personally. There is lots of doubt and some considerable belief or hope that the new law won’t affect them
Since the iPhone first launched in 2007, AT&T has had tag heuer watch he exclusive contract to offer it in the U.S. Details of the agreement have never been made public. But AT&T has hinted in recent months that it is preparing for
The Jordan Wings logo and the age-old comparison shopping Nike swoosh give this shoe a much-needed compare prices vintage feel; however, one of the more interesting and most
One of the biggest improvements to ed hardy kids shoes “World Cup” comes in the form of testing ed hardy purses a gamer’s nerve. With the all-new penalty kicks Reply
One of the biggest improvements to ed hardy kids shoes “World Cup” comes in the form of testing ed hardy purses a gamer’s nerve. With the all-new penalty kicks Reply
One of the biggest improvements to ed hardy kids shoes “World Cup” comes in the form of testing ed hardy purses a gamer’s nerve. With the all-new penalty kicks Reply
Nike’s Skinny Dunk High is a christian louboutin shoes slimmed-down and streamlined rendition of the classic cheap Nike air force 1 silhouette that’s made with the ladies
where he belonged long before Lou nfl jerseys Piniella finally made the move. But if cheap nfl jerseys any pitcher is dumb enough to throw him a fastball instead Reply
This is an added discount mbt shoes benefit for people interested in buying the Fitness mbt shoes. The shoe has its cons mainly the price and the issue of Reply
The company that makes mbt Shoes clearance (also known as the anti-shoe) is Swiss Masai. mbt chapa shoesThe uniquely-designed, multi-layered, cured sole is designed to simulate
The rest of the upper features a premium discount nike air force 1 sales leather finishing. Other details discount mbt shoes include a patent leather swoosh and metallic
As the business grows, rolex replica has also jumped into an international brand. It is worth mentioning that, replica rolex paypal
good post , i like your aritcles, nice