Life & Work with David Spybrook of San Tan Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Spybrook.

Hi David, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Firstly, thank you for having me here and allowing me to share DJ SQUID’s journey. This is how it kind of started and why I focus my DJ repertoire towards Cocktail Lounge Jazz and Exotica. Although, I do like to sprinkle in a little Southwestern flavor through early Western and Latino genres.

So, my “lounge” tastes were influenced by movies of the 50s and 60s and early 2000s streaming channels that played chill and ambient style mixes. In those mixes I heard samples of Cocktail Jazz/ Lounge and Tiki. It piqued my interest due to its unique groove and instrumentation.

A friend of mine, Chris, had a CD set of one of the pioneers of Exotica, Martin Denny. Within that music I noticed some familiarity of Denny’s work from being sampled in music I was listening to. That interaction got me hooked on Tiki Lounge/Exotica music.

It was around 2010 I acquired a turntable and started finding vinyl at the Goodwill stores. That’s where I found my first copy of Martin Denny’s Quiet Village. An Exotica favorite. I started finding Hawaiian Island style music in the bins too. Then another friend of mine, Eli, noticed my interest and bought me my first Arthur Lyman album Taboo II. Another exquisite example of the Exotica genre that had me digging for more.

Over the years, I was also listening to KJZZ a lot during their nightly jazz broadcast. There was quite a bit of good slow chill jazz out there and stuff you can tap your foot to and swing. I would jot down names then start diving for them to add to my collection. Artists like Cal Tjader, Bill Evans, George Shearing, Ben Webster and Wes Montgomery

I was curating a theme in my vinyl collection. Laid back and kind of ambient in a way. So I thought, “Why not try to share these incredible musicians with others?” I have an old nickname Squid, so naturally DJ SQUID came about..

My goal was to have fun, introduce individuals to some fantastic artists, and hopefully create an atmosphere that people enjoy. Thankfully, my wife Madison enjoys the music and friends and family liked the groove.

Now, its like 2020 and I’m ready to go out and look for gigs. Covid hits. No body going anywhere, doing nothing for a little while. During my time off I happened to come across a Phx YouTube channel “Record Bar”. Just a large DJ studio that was social distancing and broadcasting local DJs to Phoenix and the world. The variety was awesome. Everyone was rooting for each other. I get the nerve to ask if I can sit in and they said yes! So my first performance was “worldwide” but that set is best listened to at .75 speed adjustment if you come across that YouTube 🙂

So in late 2022 I get my gear together and broadcast a solo YouTube set. Both, with the help of my friend Dillon. Then off I went hitting the pavement here and there looking for gigs. Places that had music and some not. I ended up with no gigs for that season. Still learning. So, only a little disappointed, but really, it was a fun hobby and not putting too much time into it.

Then I heard about Tiki Oasis. An annual Tiki community event held each year in Scottsdale around April. I applied to be a DJ and I was accepted. This is my crowd! My first paid gig in 2023 and in front of 100’s of real people. I’ve been performing there each year since.

There have also been “open decks” at various places around the valley. It’s like an open mic but for DJs. There, I was able to practice in front of more people and get to meet great DJs in the community.

Now, here is a story of, “you just never know who you might run into” category. Recently, after the wife and I had a great snack at The Salted Knot in Mesa. I met Maria, one of the owners. In our conversation I told her I had seen that they had some live jazz musicians before. So, I just happened to ask if she ever considered a DJ and presented my style. She and her husband Chad were totally on board. Played a few shows there already and the Bike Night in Mesa.

Maria and Chad have a great place and have really helped me out. We’re looking at scheduling up to 2x a month. Keep an eye on the Salted Knot website for events and my showtimes. You can look on my Instagram for updates too @dj_squidaz . I’m posting a QR code here that will have a sample collage of what I play. My IG has some short reel samples as well.

I’ll be back out there looking for places to share my vinyl vibes now that the cooler weather is coming. Would love to chat with anyone about booking a gig. Very flexible rates. Reach out at djsquidphx@gmail.com Let’s create an audio time machine together.

I appreciate all the support from the wife, family and friends and whom ever suggested me for VoyagePhoenix

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing too crazy. The first go around trying to get a gig was a little disappointing. I knew it wouldn’t be easy and just have to keep plugging.

Everything for me was so gradual. Things just happened. Things are still working themselves out too. I’m at the beginning of something fun. Something I hope folks can just hang out and enjoy with me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
DJ SQUID specializes in 50s-60s Vinyl of Cocktail Jazz, Lounge, Tiki/Exotica, Latin Beat, and some early Western. It’s an atmospheric journey through time. I sometimes call the show “The Castaway Lounge”

I enjoy sharing my respect for these unique musicians. So much time, production, and effort was put into these old recordings . It’s a great way back machine from an era of cool but with surprises to change it up.

How do you think about luck?
I think luck has a small part in it. Be good to others and positive outcomes can head your way. You can sometimes create your luck just by who you meet.

Pricing:

• Please email djsquidphx@gmail.com for a conversation

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dj_squidaz
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/CpG2GeCEG5A
• Other: djsquidphx@gmail.com