Rising Stars: Meet Kevin Kopkowski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Kopkowski.

Hi Kevin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Honestly, I became a DJ by chance a friend was selling his turntables because he was upgrading, and it was something I always wanted to do but never really had an opportunity until then. I was a bedroom DJ for a couple of years and within that time I practiced almost every day and taught myself thru books and YouTube. I’ve never really had a one-track mind so I couldn’t just focus on one genre and over time I became proficient in all the major genres which helped tremendously in terms of booking events later on. None of my friends even knew I was a DJ until I had a few house parties and from there it expanded.

When the quarantine was going on people were still having events but we were short on DJs, so that’s where I kinda stepped up and booked enough spots in the Spring/Summer of 2021 to be on the road 9 weeks in a row which at the time was something I never thought was possible. I started producing my own events and needing flyers for these events is when I taught myself graphic design. Paying my dues and staying on the grind has led me to join the FX3 productions squad as a DJ and a DJ residency along with a successful weekly music night at The Kava Bar on Friday nights. I started my own production company Wook House Kollective which focuses on renegade events and currently, our flagship venue is a hundred-foot-long drainage tunnel underneath train tracks thirty minutes outside of Tucson.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been some growing pains for sure but for the most part, it’s been a smooth ride, standing out in Tucson’s music scene is really tricky and hard to maneuver because where not that big of a city and only has so many people in this music scene.

Instead of trying to attract the same crowd every promoter is and not focusing on the seasonal college students has really worked out in my favor because I have my own following completely unique to everyone else in town. So the struggle really has been developing a following starting from scratch while trying to make the right connections and friendships along the way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an electronic music DJ, Event Producer, and Graphic Designer.

As a DJ I’d say I specialize in being able to play any genre which has helped me in many ways especially at events when there’s a lot of the same sound being played I have the ability to stand out and play the music that hasn’t been played that much at an event.

As an Event Producer, I’d say I’m known for being able to do it all as far as event production both admin work and music (booking, making flyers, promotions, audio and visuals, and DJing) I’m also known for hosting events at The Kava Bar as well as hosting events at our secret venue know as “The Tunnel”.

As a graphic designer I’d have to say I’m known for lots of colors, psychedelic images and never using a template; always freestyle.

I’m most proud of creating and establishing myself within the local music community and doing so in a relatively short amount of time (almost two years). I’m also very proud of helping the music scene grow in Tucson I really enjoy helping in any way I can. like, Giving young DJs stage time or letting friends in need use my equipment and most importantly exposing new people to quality events and music.

What set me apart from most is I never play the same set twice. Every time I play It’s a unique experience I’m from the underground and I’m not restricted in any way as to where I can play or what kind of music I should play. I’m just as comfortable at a renegade rave or a Club Night in Phoenix.

What do you think about happiness?
I’m happiest when I’m not a witness to my friends and family doing well and seeing their evolution truly makes me happy.

I’m also really happy when I’m in my zone playing music because music has helped me so much over the years and every single one of my close friends I’ve met because of music. I also believe Happiness is all about perspective, if you allow yourself to focus on the good and not the negative happiness isn’t so hard to find even in the dark times.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/special_k.bass
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpecialK.bass
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hotnickels520?s=03
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRHJ3s6zl_Nq5YZd6djKb3g
• SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/specialk_bass

Image Credits
Emma Warfield, Nicole Pavicich, and Adrian Ramirez