Student competes in Red Bull DJ competition
By Angelique Bash
USD senior Rory Behr will be competing in the Red Bull “Thre3style U” DJ contest at Typhoon Saloon on Thursday night.
Behr, a.k.a. DJ RohR, had been DJing for about three years when EventVibe, a promotion and distribution company for the electronic scene, approached him in 2011 to do an opening gig at nightclub F6ix.
The competition is to discover the top student DJ in San Diego. The agenda consists of mixing three genres of music. The winner will receive $1,000.
DJs from San Diego State University, University of California San Diego and California State University San Marcos will also be competing.
“I really hope I win on Thursday, and I feel pretty confident going into it,” Behr said. “The competition will be tough so I have to bring my A game.”
“My plan is to transition songs as fast as I can. I only get 15 minutes to blow the crowd away so speed is going to be crucial.”
Behr has done most of his shows with EventVibe ever since. He usually does about 1 or 2 shows a week at nightclubs in San Diego and Los Angeles. He frequently spins at venues like Fluxx SD and Hyde Lounge Hollywood.
Behr, a Business Marketing major, says that he will continue to DJ after he graduates.
“It’s a good source of income, especially in my hometown Los Angeles,” he said. “Lately I’ve been focusing on producing my own original music. Right now that’s kinda guiding my career.”
Behr is the youngest DJ, at 22 years old, at EventVibe.
“My manager tells me to be careful. It’s taken other DJs 10 years to get at where I’m at right now.”
Behr describes his music style as electronic blended with hip hop, house, trap, moombahton, dubstep, and popular tracks the crowd will recognize.
“It’s like putting my own ‘spin’ on things,” he said.
He says that people often compare his style to that of big-time producer and DJ, Diplo.
“My advice for aspiring DJs is to promote yourself in any way and let people you know you’re a DJ,” Behr said. “Whether [that means] starting a Facebook page or sending out mixtapes, any exposure will help you out. That’s how I was first able to get booked. Do as many shows as you can and hopefully something good will come out of it.”
Behr will be representing USD this Thursday Feb. 28, at Typhoon Saloon in Pacific Beach. Admission is free (21+ only). Doors open at 9 p.m. and the competition begins at 10 p.m.