Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Thurston.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Christian. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey began with my pops, Mr. Choc from The Beat Junkies, and my mother. They met when they were teenagers in Bakersfield, California. They had me in 1991 and shortly after we moved to Los Angeles because my pops began a career in Radio as a DJ at Power 106. I went on to watch my father dominate his craft for the next ten years. I grew up watching him DJ my entire life and he would constantly teach me even at an early age. His story is important because my career would be nothing without what he has done for me. I am a DJ because of him, I love and appreciate all kinds of music because of him, this journey is only possible because of my dad.
When I was a teenager on MySpace, I discovered the sounds of Flying Lotus, Samiyam, Mono/Poly, and etc. It completely changed everything I knew about music and it inspired me to get into producing. My dad’s best friend, C-Minus, had a son that I grew up with Chris Rivas a.k.a Orjianus and we started making beats together and started our first duo named B.O.T.S. The next couple of years was rough, I wasted time partying and fell into heavy drinking and drugs. I didn’t think about DJing as a passion and never put forth effort into the craft. I hit rock bottom at 25, ending a seven years relationship and I had just stopped DJing at Avalon in Hollywood because I realized I didn’t want to be in the Electronic music scene. I was lost more than ever. Eventually, I started a collective with some friends called Subharmonic. We threw monthly events in Los Angeles mostly Culver City for about a year. We booked acts like Gravez, Zikomo, & Great Dane. This experience gave me an opportunity to understand the behind the scenes but there was still a lingering feeling of unfulfillment.
My friend, Miguel Fearing, from Avalon reached out to me after I parted ways with Subharmonic and said he had an opportunity for me. That’s when I met my now best friend Sammi G. Sammi, Miguel, and myself threw a few shows but none of us were satisfied and wanted more. At the same time, my pops had just opened a DJ school with his best friends called The Beat Junkie Institute of Sound. Even then, I was still convinced I could do this on my own. I met a promoter I really connected with, Ervin Cordero, of Traklife Radio & Misce. Ervin gave me the opportunity to be the weekly resident at the former Blue J lounge in Little Tokyo. He was first to give me a platform, helped me grow as a DJ, and he put my name in other promoters and clubs ears. Shortly after, a nightclub named Arena K-town opened up and announced a DJ residency competition. Surprisingly, I won. I began building my name in LA as a young party rocker and elevated my nightlife experience.
After some time, I listened to this urge to learn more and challenge myself. I finally enrolled in classes at my pops DJ school and that’s when everything really began to change. I realized I truly didn’t know much about the craft and was quickly humbled. At the school, I went on to properly learn how to scratch, juggle, and mix all on vinyl. It was taking DJing to a whole different level and I was able to see it from a different perspective.. as a true form of art. Once I realized and appreciated all the doors my father had knocked down for me, the possibilities were endless. I can say I am finally beginning to be the DJ I always wanted to be.
Has it been a smooth road?
Honestly, it has its days. There are moments where I feel I’m killing it and on top of the world and then there are moments where I want to give up and get a “real” job. The one thing that hasn’t changed is my love for music and DJing. I learned that things start to be smooth once I stop being my own worst enemy and stopped questioning if I was good enough. I am thankful for the experience I have had early on because I have no interest in the darker side of partying anymore. The only struggle I have now is myself and I’m getting better everyday.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I’m a DJ. I didn’t appreciate the term before because it’s such a saturated industry and anyone can call themselves one but I truly enjoy and love what I do. I play open format music for people all over Los Angeles and I’m pretty damn good at it too. I’m proud that I decided to follow my dream at 28. I’m proud that I’m building up a name in this city as a force to be reckoned with.
My path is what sets me apart. I believe we all have different paths in life and mine is truly unique. I am here for the longevity and the community around turntablism and DJing. I spent my entire life being scared of going after my dreams. I am proud to say I finally started putting in the work and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Personally, I think LA is great city to pursue anything you want to do, especially DJing. Before I got into the scene, I would always complain that I wasn’t getting booked enough or that there wasn’t enough opportunity to go around for all the DJ’s in LA. Now that I’m actually in it, everything has changed. There’s so many different routes you could go in LA. There’s a different party happening every night. Places like K-town, Echo Park, & Little Tokyo are important to Los Angeles nightlife.
But the beauty of being a DJ is that you don’t have to just play parties or clubs. There’s a huge Corporate event market in LA as well as stores and restaurants that want the real thing, not a playlist on loop. Some club, lounge, or corporate event may be looking for a DJ to take over a night, and It’s up to you to solidify that. If you are having trouble finding work you probably just aren’t looking hard enough.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Obviously my Pops, thank you for always letting me know I didn’t have to follow you, but if I did you’d always be there to help. My mom for raising a strong respectful man. My sis for being my best friend and being an amazing mother to my niece Izzy. My grandma for being the driving force in our family and my Aunt Nadine for being the family therapist. My amazing girlfriend, Katrina, for never letting me wallow in that crippling self doubt. I love you to end the of the world, baby. My best friend Sammi G for just being in my life and showing me to just fucking go for it. Everybody at the Beat Junkie Institute of Sound, Ate Maricel, Babu, C-Los, Rhettmatic, Miguel & Melo. My cat Is William, and all the promoters that keep me busy! Thank you to everybody. I wake up everyday and work my ass off because of you guys. Love ya’ll!
Contact Info:
- Website: soundcloud.com/ishaboithurston
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @ishaboithurston
- Twitter: @ishaboithurston
Image Credit:
Alvin Cuadra, Dj FlipFlop, Jordan Sotero, Ani Gzanian, Reibot.
Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
