Local Spotlight: Are You On The Blacklist?

Here is someone you need to start paying attention to. His name is Justin Alson and he goes by the name Blacklist. Certainly a man that belongs in the ranks of the UK’s burgeoning breaks scene, Blacklist is a breaks producer from the Pacific Northwest. He has recently been nominated for best new producer in the BreaksPoll. I had the opportunity to ask Blacklist a few questions on his origins, thoughts on the breaks scene, and his future goals as a blossoming producer.

Justin’s original handle was Freshkutz, which originated from somewhat of a joke. During that time, Justin says his “heart was in the right place” but that he came off very aggressive being a new DJ in a new city. The name Blacklist came to him when he had an encounter with a local promoter threatening to “Blacklist” anybody who booked with a rival promoter. Justin, not being one to play with the background politics in the scene, took the gig with the rival competitor and thus Blacklist was born. He says that the name has more meaning to him than the traditional interpretation. He finds hidden beauty in all the things that are taboo or cast away. He continued on to say “I try to embrace all things that may seem negative at first glance.”

Blacklist is bringing Breaks to the Northwest

Justin says that the thing that sets him apart from other Breaks producers is that he was a DJ before he was a producer. He learned how to play all genres and likes to “infuse” them in his sets to create a story, just like when DJ’ing.

  Inside the EDM world I have to say I was heavily influenced by the sounds of Kraftwerk, The Crystal Method, and The Prodigy. These sounds had substance. They would tell stories. I have tried to emulate this story telling style into my own productions.- Justin

Justin also credits his eclectic style to his high school band teacher, Debra Gibson, who he says took a chance on him when he failing the normal curriculum.

If you have the chance to, check out all of Blacklist’s mixes and original productions. He definitely has the potential to be the next big thing from the Pacific Northwest.

This is definitely a DJ you will want to know more about! Care to read about any other Northwest DJ’s, check out our Local Spotlight page!