After all of the details in Part 1, we will keep Part 2 short and sweet! Read on, get to know, and check out tunes from another seven deeply cherished members of our beloved Camp OG family! We are elated to have the chance to shed some light on some talented trailblazers of the electronic dancefloor; with many of them grooving with Pasquale since the very first event he threw, dubbing them “OGs” of the scene.
DJ ANUBIS 3.0
DJ Anubis 3.0 – L.A. Drum & Bass Bomb Squad / Founding Member Insomniac Camp OG_93 – Los Angeles Underground / Sound of The Drum Association L.A. – CHI / Off The Grid Campout Family – Born and Raised in Los Angeles, and Classically Trained in Drum & Bass / Jungle in my Second Home, South London – Brixton – Croydon from 1994 – 2002. I’m known for dropping heavy-duty ground-shaking drums on big sound systems with my Vestax PMC-25 rotary mixer with dual isolators and Denon DNS 3700 turntable CD players for those in need of some ‘Proppa DnB/Junglist’ Tings…PULL UP!!!
What does “Camp OG” mean to you? Describe your journey with Camp OG.
I’m the photographer, Resident Drum & Bass DJ, Founding Member of Camp OG, the main Location Scout for the L.A. Underground for the past 30 years, and a Festival Producer, so Camp OG means HOME. It is our annual family reunion of my closest friends in the World who helped to lay the Foundation of the Los Angeles Rave Scene along with a 30 year friendship with my Brother, Pasquale Rotella, going back to the beginning of Insomniac back when he was a Promoter.
Who are your top 3 favorite artists in Electronic Music?
If you could give advice to newer ravers, what would it be?
Learn the history of the Los Angeles Underground, come by Camp OG and introduce yourself; be respectful of what we created, and don’t party to hard and miss all the fun…
KRISTIN LUSH
Kristin Lush, or Lush as most call her, began DJing in 97′ in LA and has bounced between warehouses, clubs, and festivals in NYC, Miami, and LA since. She has made a name for herself in each of her hometowns by deeply connecting with the community that she grew up-in and calls family. Lush started her nightlife career as a street promoter with legendary crews such as Insomniac, B3 Cande, Guerilla Union, and Go-Ventures. She began her DJ career playing hardcore techno under the name Cyanide before changing her name to DJ Lush playing a mix techno, breaks, house, and a banger blend of groovy tech house often laced with trippy acid sounds and vocals.
What does “Camp OG” mean to you? Describe your journey with Camp OG.
Camp OG means family to me. I grew up in the rave scene, going to my first underground in 97′ at 15 years old. I started promoting for Insomniac in the late 90s and it was my life; and to this day, still my favorite job. My favorite part was sniping posters on the streets and freeway off ramps; and all the hours I spent outside the party with other promoter friends, hitting the let-outs from clubs and festivals. At this point, I’ve been a raver longer than I’ve been anything in my life. When Camp OG was created, it brought all the OG Insomniac fam and other LA underground originators back together, and it’s offered us a space to keep on living our best ’15yo-self’ lives’ together… but wiser of course 🙂
Who are your top 3 favorite artists in Electronic Music?
The rave community was the first place I ever felt like I belonged. It has given me a reason to push through hard times, because I always have some new crazy adventure with friends to look forward to. It has made my existence on this planet make sense.
If you could give advice to newer ravers, what would it be?
Take care of your friends. Be kind to each other, even people you don’t know. Party responsibly so you get to go home and can actually remember the night. The point isn’t to get obliterated, it’s to soak up all you can from the night.
NIFTY NUBEZ
From dusty undergrounds to Renegade stages within a Massive Rave fairgrounds. This self proclaimed Jr. “G” has been chasing sunrise & laser beams since 2002. With her passion for music imbedded her blood, she started her DJ journey in 2009; But this LA-Rudegirl ain’t a newbie when it comes to controlling the decks!! She proudly holds down her own and has rapidly earned the respect from her, higher ranking, Junglist peers. Although her first love will always be Drum ‘n Bass & Jungle, she’s been known to play various versions of Bass-heavy sets since the start. With an ‘open format’ state-of-mind, along with the backing of the most elite SoCal underground crews; there’s no telling what, or where, her next move will be! Catch her if you can!
What does “Camp OG” mean to you? Describe your journey with Camp OG.
I was adopted into Camp OG in 2017 after “The rave master” himself caught one of my sets at a park event I was playing at. He invited me & my husband to Camp at Nocturnal. There was no open slots available but I was told to bring a USB with me just in case (side not: I always carry my USB’s with me;) I ended up covering for Miss Sativa, who was stuck in traffic. I really don’t think some of the OG’s really knew what to think of me in the beginning; because of my age, how I missed out on raving in the 90’s by a couple years, and how out of nowhere, I was playing on their stage lol! My husband was in-like-Flynn from the jump; he had been to countless raves in the 90’s. I considered myself a “Jr. G”, you know those ravers who started raving in the early 2000’s? Back when the rave was dead, that would be me! Too old to be new skool & too young to be a ‘real OG’. It’s taken me some time to win over the hearts and respect of some of the ”Triple OG’s’ at Camp, but I’m sure they would say I have earned my place by now. They’re literally the best rave squad this loner-weirdo girl could have ever dreamed of! I love them all like my family, because we are a family!
Who are your top 3 favorite artists in Electronic Music?
Man! Where do I even begin to express the many ways that festivals have impacted my life! First I should start by saying, my whole youth I felt out of place, like I never really fit in. I was very shy and timid, super sheltered, so I didn’t have many friends at all when I was young. I was the definition of an easy target to bully. In High School, my close friends and boyfriend – all raved. I came from a strict family, so raving to them was not an option. By the time I was able to join them, most of them were over that life. Some time past and I found myself fighting some personal demons. My circle of friends became smaller, and to this day, I couldn’t be more thankful for that. I remember the feeling I had when I attended my first Massive. It was 2003, New Years Eve, my homie had just scooped me up from work. I really didn’t want to go home, so he mentioned to me a rave that happened every New Year’s Eve, called “Together As One”. I vividly remember walking through the Coliseum doors seeing all the beautiful colorful people dancing in sync with one another. I could hear Drum & Bass in the distance; when I finally reached the outside DnB patio stage, I had a sense of feeling like I had just arrived to the beginning of my ‘new’! Fast forward to 20 years later, I’m honored to have so many friends who are part of the best rave community out there! I’ve made so many great memories with my rave family, memories I’ll cherish forever! So yeah, I can honestly say, “Raving Saved My Life!”
If you could give advice to newer ravers, what would it be?
My best advice would be it’s ok to rave solo, or sober, or both! You’ll remember those great memories longer, and meet some amazing people along the way! Most importantly if you do decide to be under the influence, please get it from a reliable source and test your stuff first! Because you got loved ones waiting for you at home. Keep looking out for one another, include a stranger to your squad, you never know they can be your new BFF!
DJ CANADY
DJ Canady is an Underground House and Techno DJ based out of Los Angeles. Canady has been active since 2013 but has been collecting records since the late 80’s. He is also a veteran of the Los Angeles underground scene since 1991. Coming to Los Angeles from Florida in 1990 has influenced his style. His sound contains elements of Breaks, Electro, House, Techno, Acid and even Disco.
What does “Camp OG” mean to you? Describe your journey with Camp OG.
I went to Insomniac’s first party in 1993. and went religiously every Friday after that. At the time, Insomniac was still booking DJ’s that played the Old School Techno and Breaks from 91-92. While the bigger parties were playing more Trance. I loved Insomniac because of this, I wasn’t ready to move on to newer styles of electronic music. The vibe was also changing a bit in the bigger parties. Insomniac still had that 90-92 vibe I loved. I think they’ve actually paved the way to carry that “vibe” on to today’s festivals. I love that i get to hang with so many of those Insomniac OG’s.
Who are your top 3 favorite artists in Electronic Music?
If you could give advice to newer ravers, what would it be?
Always be yourself and keep doing it as long as it makes you happy.
MISTER J
I grew up on the east coast, found my love for music in High School, playing in a punk /hardcore/rock band (This End Up). As I got more into recording and producing I decided to attend Full Sail University to get a degree in Audio Engineering. In 2006, I moved to LA to pursue working in music/audio. I have worked at recording studios and post production facilities, and have covered every aspect of audio, even some video. My love for music never died and I found myself working in Hollywood as an Instructor at Musician’s Institute, teaching a variety of Recording Classes. At the same time (around 2012), I began working for a mobile DJ company; I had always wanted to get into DJing but never fully made the leap. In High School I had a pair of turntables and collected all types of records, but never got into beat matching. I mainly hosted some house parties and even did some basic scratching on my bands demo. So once I had a modern DJ setup, I really dove right in. DJing has been great to me thus far and continue to discover where it will take me next.
What does “Camp OG” mean to you? Describe your journey with Camp OG.
I was introduced to Camp OG in 2016 @ Nocturnal. I was excited to meet a group of seasoned ravers and DJs. At the time, I didn’t really realize just how influential everyone was with the growth of the LA rave culture, and how many DJs still had strong roots in the scene. I was welcomed with open arms and many became like family instantly. Besides hosting a stage at Nocturnal, Camp OG began to host some camp outs and I was lucky enough to get on the lineup. At the time I was more into bass music and some variations of house music. The more I hung out with the group and attended these events, the more my taste in music matured and expanded. At this point I consider many people @ Camp OG family, having experienced many fun nights and even park parties together. Every festival I feel like I get to know someone new and each outing is more and more like a family reunion. I enjoy hearing stories from back in the day and it really hits home how much history some of these people have together, which makes it even more special to be a part of it.
Who are your top 3 favorite artists in Electronic Music?
I have been to some smaller raves and camp outs but attending Nocturnal in 2016 was definitely eye opening and life changing. Seeing the scale, production, and crowd really was inspiring. Seeing that many people gathered expressing themselves however they want really is what it’s all about.
Any upcoming performances you’re excited about?
Off The Grid – In some ways I feel like this our Nocturnal after party lol, and many Camp OG DJs/friends will be performing and attending. I think we all have this weekend highlighted on our calendar.
If you could give advice to newer ravers, what would it be?
Take care of each other. One thing I enjoy doing at festivals is making someone’s night. Can be as simply as gifting someone something, or sometimes it’s making sure someone has water to drink or a place to sit. PLUR is not dead and we gotta make sure people know it.
