Spin Master

Originally published in the May 11, 2011 issue of the Coast Report
By Stephanie Mendez, Staff Writer




Frustrated with the music scene in Orange County, one Orange Coast College student took matters into his own hands last year and decided to spin what he loved.

Victor Arellano, a 19-year-old undecided major at OCC, went out and purchased his first set of DJ equipment, adopted the stage name Mr. Smith and started a musical journey that has placed him on the bill at raves including Electro Kandy and the Elevation Festival.

“One of the things that really prompted me to do this was local DJs playing at the clubs and parties I would go to. They all played the same shit and it was so annoying,” Arellano said.

As Arellano became better acquainted with his equipment, he also realized what genres of music interested him the most.

“When I first got my equipment, my main focus was fidget, electro house. But as time went on and I got even more into the music, I started to acquire different tastes. Nowadays I spin minimal and tech house. I have a passion for this music that far surpasses what I did for electro and fidget,” Arellano said.

Tony Olivarez, better known as Dins Rendezvous, is a promoter for Rendezvous Events who was so impressed by Arellano that he decided to hire him as a main act.

“He was extremely passionate about music and he had a great taste for quality music. Furthermore, he sent me a link to one of his tracks one day and after I listened to it I knew I had to book him,” Olivarez said.

Arellano credits a few music classes at OCC for his ability to fully understand and facilitate his skill as a DJ.

“I’ve taken two music classes at OCC -- business in music and music theory. They both have actually helped me in my little musical journey. My business in music teacher went over promoters and what they do and how they work,” Arellano said. “It helped me out because I work with promoters all the time and have actually done a little promotional work, too.

Arellano’s experience with music traces back to his adolescence.

“I used to play bass. It was my main focus before I started this whole DJ thing. I was in a punk band for the longest time but things were off and on so I called it quits,” he said. “I also played trumpet for nine years in school. Did the whole marching band thing and everything.”

Joel De Santiago, a 19-year-old Santa Ana College student and electronic dance music enthusiast, said DJ Mr. Smith’s music selection attracts people to events and performances.

“Mr. Smith's live mixes definitely appeal to a crowd that leans more towards the electronic dance music scene in Orange County,” De Santiago said. “So much that he’s even getting known more in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties for his progressive house, techno sets.”