10 Valley club-scene DJs to know

Jared Alan

Where did you get your start?
Like all good things, in the bedroom.

Top five favorite songs in your personal life right now.
“You Are the Blood” by Sufjan Stevens
“If I had a Heart” by Fever Ray
“Guys Eyes” by Animal Collective
“Rusty Nails” by Moderat
“House Jam” by Gang Gang Dance

What songs are killing it in the clubs?
I don't really pay attention, though I do think it's about time all the club DJs retired “Day N Nite” by Kid Cudi and started playing “Night and Day” by Cole Porter.

What is your biggest DJ pet peeve?
Requests. I will always listen and try to fit something in if it works, but mixing can get very involved and requests tend to happen at times when you can't take your ears away from the headphones, and most often my queue and drop points are meticulously planned in advance so it's hard to interrupt the track orders.

Where is your favorite place to go out in the Valley and why?
Modified Arts. It's the best place to catch amazing artists in an intimate setting before they get so big you have to watch them from 30-plus yards away.

What is most important to you as a DJ?
Making the obscure as accessible as possible while still playing everybody's fresh favorites. Introducing people to something new. Surprising myself. Fueling the crowd's elation—watching their eyes light up with excitement and their bodies give in to unrestrained dance-party madness. Making pretty girls smile.

Where can we catch you next, or weekly if you have a residence?
Cheap Thrills every Saturday night at Black Forest Mill and the Adult Swim 2009 Pool Party Series every Sunday at the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Phoenix. You can also catch me on the first Sunday of every month at SideBar.

Hear more at jaredalan.com.