Kid Koala: Your Mom’s Favorite DJ

I’d consider Eric San (aka Kid Koala) a musician more so than the limiting definition of DJ. His turntableism breaks free of the traditional ideas of scratching the latest club hits. Born in Vancouver, Canada, Kid Koala was the first North American act signed to Ninja Tune and has been releasing innovative works since 2000. I was lucky enough to attend the LA release party for his latest album, Your Mom’s Favorite DJ, and it was quite the experience. The two gapless tracks, made to mimic the two sides of an LP, include spoken audio snippets from movies and music, and samples that run the gamut from jazz to grunge rock. His stage presence is positive and he has a cheery and uplifting demeanor. His transitions are flawless, employing three turntables and a mixing board. Despite listening to the CD in my car numerous times, I am still surprised with each transition since it’s hard to partition 50 minute tracks. Take a look at his first major release, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and move on to Your Mom’s Favorite DJ. You’ll see the evolution of one of the most innovative and sought-after turntable masters.