In anticipation of this Saturday’s Beats and Brushstrokes, we spoke with Daniel Linver of DJ Leftovers, to pick his record spinning brain! Daniel is alumni of the Arts Administration program at the University of Oregon. He is also a past member of ELAN! Read what he has to say about this year’s fundraiser and get a sneak peak at some of his favorite vinyl!
Come time to get the crowd going, what is your go-to record?
A lot of the time most any Michael Jackson or Prince song is guaranteed to get the crowd going but recently I have seen a lot of people freak out even more when I throw “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa.
This will be your second year DJing for Beats and Brushstrokes! What was a highlight for you during last year’s fundraiser?
Actually this will be the fourth year I DJ the event. I DJed the very first Beats and Brushstrokes in 2010 when I was a first year in the AAd program and it was the first year we did Beats and Brushstrokes. It was a lot smaller that first year and it has been great to see it get bigger and better every year! My highlight last year was actually where we had the event. It was held at the The Old Whiteaker Firehouse, which my friend Ethan lives at (along with a lot of really cool people). The records for auction, drinks and eats were really great too but I really loved playing music in that space. This year’s venue looks really cool too, again I love how much the event grows every year.
Were you lucky enough to snag any artwork? If so, can you describe the piece?
Last year I was actually not lucky enough to snag any art pieces, I bid on a lot of stuff but didn’t win any artwork because I was spinning records when the auction closed and everyone outbid me. The piece I probably wanted most was the book that Amanda Kaler made, it was sooooooo beautiful! I did get a couple pieces two years ago at B & B though. I won a record with an awesome photo on it made by AAd alum Sara Bateman and a record with a cool painted feather on it by another AAd alum Sarah Brothers.
What kind of beats can be expected for this year’s Beats and Brushstrokes? (A sneak peek into this year’s playlist?)
I don’t want to reveal too much of what I will be busting out at B & B, but during the start of the event I will be playing more chill music to lend to a more relaxing and bidding environment and as we move through the evening the music will heat up and I will get people moving. I am partial to funk and soul music both new and old stuff so you will definitely hear a lot of that but there will also be hip-hop, electronic, 80’s, world and some other random stuff thrown in.
What was your favorite event or element of ELAN while you were a member?
I really loved the Artsventures! I got to go to Portland in 2010 and Seattle in 2011 with ELAN and got to talk with all kinds of cool organizations and had a great time doing it. It was really great to get to talk to arts professionals in the field and get a sneak peak into what being an arts professional would be like after I graduated.
Quick: name your top FIVE dance beats!
Star (Latin Remix) by J Rocc Dance Yourself Clean by LCD Soundsystem Un Canto A Mi Tierra (J-Boogie Remix) by Quantic Adir Adirim (Nickodemus Remix) by Balkan Beat Box Groove is in the Heart by Deee-Lite. Most people have probably only heard of Deee-Lite on this list but you will hear all of these and more on Sat night!
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