Deadmau5

The term "DJ" gets thrown around a lot these days, which is why Deadmau5 (aka Joel Zimmerman) prefers to avoid the term altogether. The Toronto native doesn't use CDs and doesn't play other people's music, so he doesn't fit the traditional definition of a DJ. Instead, he simultaneously runs Ableton...

By Britt Chester

August 23, 2011

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The term "DJ" gets thrown around a lot these days, which is why Deadmau5 (aka Joel Zimmerman) prefers to avoid the term altogether. The Toronto native doesn't use CDs and doesn't play other people's music, so he doesn't fit the traditional definition of a DJ. Instead, he simultaneously runs Ableton Live and utilizes a Lemur pad for controlling his MIDI layers, composing live music that's unique to each performance. Zimmerman has won awards in nearly every applicable category from the International Dance Music Association, Beatport Music Awards and the Junos. They say that heavy is the head that wears the crown: The new mau5head weighs upwards of ten pounds and looks straight outta Wisconsin with its definitive Swiss cheese characteristics. On Tuesday, Zimmerman will make his Colorado stop on the Meowingtons Hax Tour at Red Rocks, and he'll bring his brand-new light production — still using the original cube, but with additions to both sides of the stage and a more interactive audio/visual experience overall.

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Britt Chester is a writer and video producer living in Denver, Colorado. He's covered breaking news, music, arts and cannabis for Westword since 2010. His work has appeared in GQ Magazine, Village Voice, YES! Weekly, Inman News and the Winston-Salem Journal. He likes running, cycling, and interviewing people.

Contact: Britt Chester

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