Interview: DJ Logic

DJ Logic, known to his friends as Jason Kibler, has carved an impressive niche for himself amongst many different groups of musicians and their fans. From his origins as one of the original members of the Black Rock Coalition through his collaborations with Medeski Martin & Wood and Blues Traveler's John Popper, Logic has become a recognizable figure on the club scene as well as within the tight knit circle of the jamband community. Even though Logic thrives in the spirit of improvisation, feeding off of the creative energy of generating various new beats and rhythms on the fly, one thing remains constant: like his name suggests, he keeps things logical.

In line with a good portion of the beats he seemingly conjures out of thin air, DJ Logic is extraordinarily mellow, humble, and approachable. Upon first meeting Logic at The Canal Room, where he sat in with Vernon Reid's Masque and Liquid Soul, his ability to make people feel at ease became immediately apparent.

After asking whether it would be appropriate to call him "DJ" or "Logic," the amiable turntablist smiled, extended his hand, and said, "Call me Jason." The peaceful aura that surrounds Logic makes the title of his album, Zen Of Logic - released today - quite apt. In a telephone interview with Earvolution, the native New Yorker discussed his new album, his live performances and the significant inroads he's made into the jamband scene.

Like most DJs, an understanding of the artist begins with an understanding of their name. Like sumo wrestlers, a DJ derives strength and identity through their chosen moniker. "When I started up playing with Eye and I, back in the day, I wanted a name that stood out just like the DJs before me that I admired," explains the soft-spoken yet confident Logic. "They had cool names and their names matched their persona. I wanted to find the right name that fit me: something to match what I was doing; my creativity; my ear and my ideas."

The solution became clear when he opened a glossary book and came across the name that seemed to fit. "I came upon 'Logic' and I kept repeating it to myself: 'DJ Logic . . . DJ Logic . . . DJ Logic.' It represents me: being logical and creative about what I do." Origin stories aside, Logic sums the meaning of his name up nicely, "It's making sense of something that ain't nothing."

Article Author: Earvolution

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