DJ JAKE RENO’s HUMBLE WICHITA ROOTS KEEP HIM GROUNDED IN REALITY!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 We have told countless individual stories about DJs on our site who have risen from humble beginnings to struggle and fight their way thru the various challenges and ranks within the DJ profession, to eventually find notoriety and respect. The story for our current feature DJ follows along these lines, but what captivates us most about this artist, is how Jake Reno has managed to preserve his humble image throughout this adventurous process and keep his ego in check.
Jake was born and raised in the Midwestern state of Kansas. In an article written about him several years ago, it was noted that the hobby of DJing in his parent’s basement actually kept him off of the street and out of the drug culture that ran rampant among his fellow Wichita youth at that time. The allure of all genres of music has been strong with Jake and like the call of Alice in Wonderland to follow her heart, Jake has followed music with a similar drive. Ironically Jake shares a passion for all things “Alice” and even wears a tribute to her in ink form on his body.
Even Jake’s initial club beginnings were not unlike Alice falling down that mysterious dark hole. This artist was compelled to try DJing in a club without even being properly trained to perform. Yet, he was not afraid to jump in whole-heartedly, despite the black hole of uncertainty that this venture represented. Jake was compelled. He stated his first attempt was almost a write-off and he really did not perform as a DJ should. “I wanted to play at the bar below me, just for shits and giggles.”The nightspot’s manager happened to be Reno’s roommate and naively arranged it. Jake walked into Barcelona armed only with a laptop. “I wasn’t really DJing...I just had mp3 software and a pre-made play list. I didn’t even know how to fade in or out!” Reno, of course, wasn’t asked to come back. But he persevered, begging for a second chance. The bar obliged. Reno sighs, “I still to this day don’t understand why (manager) Seth Thorpe ever gave me another shot. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be pursuing a mediocre career in the over populated world of graphic design.” Luckily for Reno, the gamble would pay off. “ (Jake Reno’s quote cited from: Feb ’07 issue of Chicago Scene Magazine in the feature “Awesome! I F*#king Mixed That!” by Tyler Curtis)
DJ Jake Reno and Club Manager Seth Thorpe
It is this lack of fear to face the unknown which sets this artist apart. We saw it in another artist that we featured last year…world renowned House Producer/DJ, Joe Bermudez. Joe walked into a radio station with absolutely NO experience, yet STILL asked for a job and got it. Both of these artists stepped out on a limb, took a risk and a gamble and as a result, a whole new world opened for each one of them, just like Alice. From that point on, Jake became committed whole-heartedly to perfecting his craft and working hard to earn the respect of his colleagues through his sets, remixes, charitable events, and genuine attitude towards his peers. It hasn’t been an easy walk for Jake. His Kansas roots have kept him humble, which is challenging while going up against big city egos, corruption and nepotism, which are all rampant in this biz. Yet for this artist, he’s most concerned with ensuring the following: “I just want to play what most DJ’s would avoid playing. It’s about surprising people with tracks they haven’t heard in a long time and sometimes that means jumping off the deep end. I’m just lucky to be here. For me, I just want to keep working! I’m lucky to be here, man. I really am.” (Jake Reno’s quote cited from: Feb ’07 issue of Chicago Scene Magazine in the feature “Awesome! I F*#king Mixed That!” by Tyler Curtis) In fact, it was this drive to do things differently and walk the path less chosen that truly led to Jake’s eventual fame.
Another major turning point for this artist was when one of his James Brown mash-ups,“Take Papas Brand New Bag”, appeared on DJ AM’s top 35 mixes several years ago. In many ways it was like a royal seal of approval within the DJ community, that Jake Reno was capable of creating serious, credible mixes. DJ AM possessed a similar trademark to resurrect the hidden jewels in the music crates of bygone eras and bring them back to life and the dance floor via trippy remixes, and wicked turntable antics. Reno has definitely been a student of the “AM-esque” school of mixing and championing the forgotten traxs that always delight club-goers in euphoric dance bliss. “A trip out West changed Jake forever. “I saw the way the pros were rocking the party circuit out there and began endlessly researching mash-up kings like DJ Splyce and DJ AM.”(Jake Reno’s quote cited from: Feb ’07 issue of Chicago Scene Magazine in the feature “Awesome! I F*#king Mixed That!” by Tyler Curtis) After AM suffered his near brush with death in a fiery plane crash he too stated, “All I know is that I am lucky to be here”. Humility was also part of AM’s character and this is another parallel that we see between these two individuals. A key to success? Perhaps. Jake has since made his mark and his mixes are now heard all over the world via his membership with the king of remix services, The Crooklyn Clan Vault. He has also landed residencies & gigs in and out of state. In our opinion, Jake Reno is most definitely a role model for the underdog artist who has had to fight his way to the top and continues to seek recognition. Jake has put in his time and has deservedly earned every bit of recognition that he now has. Reno may venture far in his journeys as a DJ and Remixer, but he will always carry his Kansas humility in the face of fame and fortune.
On one of Jakes’s arms, he bears this quote, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." -Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.” This appears to be a permanent visible reminder for Reno to always keep an open mind in his life/career choices and to not be afraid to face the unknown. Just as it was for Alice…GREAT opportunities for self-discovery indeed lay ahead in the uncharted world of Wonderland! Please be sure to check out Jake’s write up and history along with his BUZZ exclusive DJ Survey responses. Links are also located below to both of Jake’s websites! One of his traxs, “Just A Friend” is currently featured on the Buzz MP3 player!!
DJ JAKE RENO
DJ RENO IS CURRENTLY NOT AT RINO, BUT THIS EXCERPT GIVE US A GLIMPSE INTO HIS WORLD!! HE IS NOW AT: Rebel, Amp Rock Lounge, & Bull and Bear AND just landed his first out of town residency at Doc Howards in Wichita Kansas.
Stuck under the pressure of spinning at the hottest late night spot in the city is what every DJ wants. Just ask Jake Reno. “It’s great. I’m very lucky though. I’m not afraid of making mistakes.” Reno laughs during his set at Chicago’s red hot ultra lounge, Rino. The crowd of sardines outside of Reno’s booth is composed of the Windy City’s elite socialites, A-listers, and gawkers. Jake looks out at the thumping crowd and
smiles. “I’ve been able to learn something everyday, even from my own screw-ups. If it wasn’t for people believing in me, I wouldn’t be here.”
Jake is a long way from home; and his humble pie has a sincere origin. A Kansas native, Reno started spinning 6 years ago in his parent’s basement in an effort to avoid the pitfalls that plagued the junkie criminal youths that littered Wichita. Reno migrated to Chicago in search of an art degree and accidentally stumbled into a career as one of Chicago’s premier mash-up artists. “I had been doing the occasional party. But I didn’t have a resume or really any experience.” But apparently, the experience of living above a rowdy party bar can inspire anyone.
“I wanted to play at the bar below me, just for shits and giggles.” The nightspot’s manager happened to be Reno’s roommate and naively arranged it.Jake walked into Barcelona armed only with a laptop. “I wasn’t really DJing...I just had mp3 software and a pre-made play list. I didn’t even know how to fade in or out!” Reno, of course, wasn’t asked to come back. But he persevered, begging for a second chance. The bar obliged. Reno sighs, “I still to this day don’t understand why (manager) Seth Thorpe ever gave me another shot. If it wasn’t for that, I’d be pursuing a mediocre career in the over populated world of graphic design.”
Luckily for Reno, the gamble would pay off. Reno borrowed his buddy’s decks and worked out the kinks everyday before his “second coming” of sorts. After his set during peak hours, Reno was given the good news. The company heads dug the musical chances he was taking with the mainstream material and gave Reno a steady rotation amongst all its properties. “I went out and bought all my equipment that week!” howls the clean cut Midwesterner. He spent the next few years playing everything to the DePaul crowd, cramming every genre down their hungry little ears. “I was into Dub, Trip-Hop and Indie Rock, you name it! Mos Def, Tribe, Roots, Portishead, Korn, Deftones, and anything in-between.
JAKE RENO WITH GYM CLASS HEROES!
I realized that there is just too much out there not to be heard. It became my M.O. to remind people that anything can mix together. I would take gems from the 70’s, 80’s and mash them to appeal to a completely different audience. Everybody wins. If you’re playing mash ups, you’re working twice as hard not to offend.” At the time Reno was fine tuning his craft, Chicago’s club scene was dominated by single genre set lists of House, Techno or Hip-Hop. However, because Reno was still coming into his own up on the Northside with crowds that were younger and less scrutinizing of his styles, he was able to cross genres and take risks that were non-existent in the city’s late night sets. Face it: the music after the millennium was a little rough.As the super-sized club concept died off like a fat dinosaur in 2005, Chicago’s nightlife hotspots looked for ways to wrangle more customers.
Taking a cue from NYC and LA,many clubs began diversifying their play lists with more sing-a-longs and recognizable tunes.Reno couldn’t have had better timing. With his Mash-ups causing all the rage in Lincoln Park, the brand new, high-concept MaxBar (Crobar’s sister bar) grabbed Reno and put him to work. Crobar’s team wasn’t the only one who noticed Reno’s skills - Kwesi Dei, Rino’s marketing director, heard about a kid that was rocking the pants off of Lincoln Park. Rino was a huge mainstream success in River North, with a more decisive and demanding crowd and Dei wasn’t about to throw a rookie to the wolves. In an order to warm him up, Dei gave Reno a slot in the graveyard shift on Sunday nights. It was then that Reno began concentrate on what he aptly labels “Party Rock.” The experiment worked.
JAKE WITH STEVE AOKI!!
A trip out West changed Jake forever. “I saw the way the pros were rocking the party circuit out there
and began endlessly researching Mash-up kings like DJ Splyce and DJ AM.” While Sunday nights didn’t last very long, Reno remained on hand to take the spotlight on Thursdays and Saturdays. Once he figured out how to perfect remixing today’s Pop and Hip-Hop (Reno’s mash of Shiny Toy Guns’ “Le Disko” into Green Velvet’s “Shake and Pop” might be the hottest thing we’ve heard this winter. Really.) Jake quickly rocketed from wide-eyed schlub behind a computer to high profile party maker at the ripe age of 23. Today, Jake is not only earning in the clubs, but he’s cashing in on respect from his peers.
The rite of passage for any dominant DJ is to be accepted into the Crooklyn Clan’s Vault (www.crooklynclan.net). So after gaining admission to the Mecca of Mixes, Reno about fell over when he saw his James Brown mash up,“Take Papas Brand New Bag”, appear on DJ AM’s top 35 mixes in the country this spring. Set to take on Friday nights as the primetime record spinner at the exquisite high end Manor nightclub, there was no stopping the kid from Wichita who just wanted another chance. When asked about the sudden surge of success, Reno replied characteristically humble: “I just want to play what most DJs would avoid playing. It’s about surprising people with tracks they haven’t heard in a long time and sometimes that means jumping off the deep end. I’m just lucky to be here. For me, I just want to keep working! I’m lucky to be here, man. I really am.” Actually, we were thinking it was us who are the lucky ones. Our guess is he’ll never have to audition again.
(Previously published as an excerpt in the Feb ’07 issue of Chicago Scene Magazine in the feature “Awesome! I F*#king Mixed That!” by Tyler Curtis. Used with Permission ©2007)
DJ Jake Reno is also available for private parties and corporate events.
For bookings: Call 773.562.0410
All inquires can be sent to: JakeReno@hotmail.com
www.myspace.com/djjakereno
http://www.facebook.com/djjakereno?ref=ts
MIXES AVAILABLE AT: JAKE RENO mixes for free download at www.jakereno.podomatic.com or on Itunes for free download.
FETTY BE’S BUZZ CUSTOM DJ SURVEY FOR DJ JAKE RENO
1. What inspired you to pick your DJ your name?
DJ name? Well, I guess because my mom thought it fit me best!
2. What kind of music do you like to spin?
Music spun? All genres (or most). I enjoy spinning most genres because it keeps me busy. I can’t just spin one genre because my a.d.d kicks in.
3. What and who are some of your major influences (artists, djs, etc.)?
Major influences: dj vice is my favorite multi-genre DJ. Dj Flipside(Chicago) is my favorite Hip-Hop DJ. and Mixin Marc (Chicago) has to be my favorite House DJ. Massive Attack and Portishead has always been a big influence too on me. If and when i actually start makin my own music it will have alot of there influence on it.
4. Biggest reward about being a DJ?
Biggest Reward: Making people happy
5. Biggest pet peeve about being a DJ?
Pet Peeve: Club Promoters that bug the F*&K out of you all the time to keep the music how they like it. "Mother F*&k3r, do you wanna come up here and DJ?", for real!
6. What is the best party you have ever spun at?
Best Party: Probably any New Years party because everyone is in such a good mood and the night always goes over well
7. If you could mix at a club or party anywhere, where would it be and with whom?
Party anywhere w/ anyone? Probably somewhere on a huge beach with a million people and DJ vice and Discotech
8. In what cities have you spun? Are you a resident DJ at any clubs right now?
Club residencies? I’ve DJ'd at other places all over Chicago: Cuvee, Rino, Manoe, BonV, Stay, Underground, Bull n Bear, Amp, Rebel, The Bar Celona, Funk, Blu, Maxbar, Katacombs, Red Ivy, Tar Bar, Bambo Room, Social 25, Moes Cantina, Finns (wichita Kansas), Doc Howards (wichita Kansas), Indigo (wichita kansas).... I’m a current resident at Rebel, Amp Rock Lounge, & Bull and Bear.....
9. What is the hottest club you have ever been to, either as a DJ or a patron?
Hottest Club? I haven't been to too many other clubs besides vegas and here, so I guess I really liked alot of the clubs in Vegas and there are some really nice ones here, like Bon V, Crobar, Soundbar, Underground, etc....
10. Do you plan out your sets or do you play to the crowd's reactions?
Plans Set? I Just put on a mix cd and sit back and get drunk. LOL, naw, i never plan my set. I just plug in, play, drink, and go with the flow...... LET PARTY RIGHT NOW!!!!!! FILL IT UP AGAIN!!!!!
11. If you could design a club, name three important aspects of it's layout.
Club Design? Hmmmm.... not sure, maybe a petting zoo near the dance floor???? Naw, I don't really have any ideas...
12. Techno/Trance or Mash-up/Hip Hop
House or Hip-Hop/Mash-ups? Both! I love both! I do, enjoy the Hip-Hop/Mash-up crowd way better, but I enjoy both just as equally, you know it just depends what kind of mood I'm in.
13. East Coast or West Coast?
East or West Coast? What, what about us Midwest boys? MIDWEST for sure!!! Naw, just jokin’, probably West.
14. MAC or PC?
Mac or PC: Mac
15. Top favorite 3 tracks of all time.
Top Favorite Tracks of all times? That's a reallllly hard question for any DJ..... Ummmmmmm......... i guess there is a few tracks that I've like more than other that i can think of off the top of my head. Jon secada- Just another day with out you....... Blue October-into the ocean....... Moan- Trentemoller remix.........That's the only few that come to mind right now, but I have so many more in so many different genres!!!!
Keeping a MIDWESTERN beat!!!
Reader Comments (1)
Hey Jake reno is awesome but there is apparently a error with his song Jake Reno - WANNA BE A BALLER ((BIG BEAT REMIX)) 4 EDITS
on crooklyn clan that i would like to purchase. the mix is really hot and i have been unable to get in touch with jake reno. i was wondering if you would be able to get in touch with him somehow so i am able to get this song for one of my sets. i would really appreciate it. thanks for your time.