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New Mexico State University alum Joseph Hampel is known as DJ Dainjazone and has snagged a gig as the DJ for band LMFAO.
Joseph Hampel has come a long way since his days at New Mexico State University. In fact, the NMSU alum’s life has taken a different path from his days playing baseball for the Aggies.
“I got into DJing during my senior year of college and did small clubs around Las Cruces,” he says during a recent interview. “That was the beginning of something great for me.”
Today, Hampel is known as DJ Dainjazone. And as a DJ, he has toured the world and is the resident DJ for the band LMFAO.
“It’s all happened really fast,” he says. “I’ve been doing this for only six years and was in the right place at the right time. I met Redfoo (of LMFAO) and we clicked, and since then I’ve been able to travel with them and be their DJ.”
Recently, Hampel traveled to Palm Springs, Calif., to do a show at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament.
“It was crazy because Redfoo was there and came on stage and got involved with my set,” he says. “Jeremy Piven was there just rocking out to the music. It was very surreal.”
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DJ Dainjazone WHEN: 9 tonight WHERE: Evolution Nightclub, 6132 Fourth NW HOW MUCH: $10 at the door |
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Hampel says before he grabbed the gig with LMFAO, he performed around Hollywood for two years and discovered that it was an overrated route to where he wanted to get in his career.
“The scene was so saturated with DJs,” he explains. “I needed to find something different to set myself apart. I started to look for residence gigs and make myself a destination.”
Aside from his regular gigs, he says touring is a big part of his success.
“I’m always on the go and it can get tough out there,” he says. “But once you get on stage and the first beat comes out, I’m not tired anymore. I’m there for a good time.”
Hampel has not only created a name for himself in the club world but other DJs are becoming fans and avid listeners as he co-hosts “The MikiDz Show.”
The show airs on Monday nights as DJs from around the world get to watch Hampel and MikiWAR interview and share the tables with big name DJs such as Qbert, Z-Trip, Melo-D, Scene, Vice and Spryte.
He says the show gets hundreds of online viewers and hits every week via DJcity.com/MikiDzShow.
“The show has been another example of how I want to grow my name and brand,” he says. “Me and MikiWar wanted to do something different and let people know about the cool music that’s coming out of all the places in the world. This was one way, and we’re so excited that people have gravitated towards it.”
Reprint story -- Email the reporter at agomez@abqjournal.com. Call the reporter at 505-823-3921
