@ Large

Fans of electronic/trance should make sure they're at Phoenix tonight for a performance by DJ/musician/producer Tiësto aka Tijs Verwest. The Dutch artist is currently on the U.S. leg of his Club Life World Tour in celebration his brand-spankin'-new compilation Club Life: Volume One Las Vegas. A legend when it comes to spinnin' throbbing tunes with monumental beat-building elements, Tiesto is gifted at churning out new material and putting new twists on his greatest hits. His 2009 acclaimed Kaleidoscope album — featuring guest appearances by Calvin Harris, Tegan & Sara, Nelly Furtado and more — was remixed in 2010 due to popular demand. He's that good. Need I say more? Don't miss him when he's in Charlotte. $55. 9 p.m. Phoenix, 300 N. College St. 704-375-8765. www.phoenixofcharlotte.com.

— Anita Overcash

When you think of house music, one place that may not automatically come to mind is Tampa, Fla. DJ Jask has been working hard for more than 20 years to change that. As one of the first people to introduce the southern-most state to the sounds of acid-jazz and house music in the early 1990s, he’s continued to build his reputation as a major player — not only in Florida, but all over the world. Jask makes a stop at Dharma Lounge on April 2 (along with Lisa Shaw), and this is what he has to say about the current state of electronic music.

Creative Loafing: You've been spinning for about 20 years now, right? Where do you think the "scene" is now compared to where it was when you first started?

Yes about 23 years now ... it’s definitely grown and evolved on many levels especially on the digital front. A lot more people are involved. Records have made way for downloads. The technology has enabled us to reach many people on a global scale. The electronic dance music scene is here to stay and it keeps on growing.

What was the one main incident/reason that you started spinning?

A love for hip-hop got me interested in it back in 1986-1987... but it was when I went over to a friend's house around that time frame and saw his set up and heard what he could do with the music that caught my ears and eyes. I was hooked, and he showed me the basic skills on how to do it. That guy was Mark Haney ... an old classmate of mine and friend till this day.

What was the first "big gig" you played?

It was at a teen club called "Off Limits" back in the early '90s when I was still in high school. We did a full on show. Live house music with singers, rappers, dancers and DJs.

Which night is more fun to run? Jack’s House or Paradise?

Jack's House opened the door ... Paradise has been a labor of love. And the next chapter awaits.

How have you been able to keep a house night afloat for so long?

Bringing in world-class talent to my parties and always exposing the next generation to our music. Also having a great team of people who work at the club involved from promoters to the bar staff to management and owners.

Which approach do you take? Give the people what they want, or give 'em what you think they need?

It’s a good balance of both. We all know the popular crowd-pleasers, but I always want to expose the people to new fresh music.

Name three records that never leave your side.

Jaydee "Plastic Dreams," Marshall Jefferson "Move Your Body," and Lil Louis "French Kiss."

What is the one record that makes you lose your shit when you hear it?

Funny question! You mean lose my mind? It’s a classic: MFSB "Love Is the Message."

Who's your favorite "non-house" DJ?

DJ Jazzy Jeff plays the classic hip-hop and soul like no other!

If you do a Google search for the name Lisa Shaw, the first hit you get back is Lisa Fowler (Shaw) from the British soap opera (and my favorite show) EastEnders. But to house music aficionados, Lisa Shaw is a mega-star. Her vocals have graced many a late-night soundscape — so we don’t need no stinkin’ Google to tell her who he she is. She’s performing alongside DJ Jask this Saturday at Dharma Lounge, so we rapped with her a little bit before she makes her way to the Queen City.

Creative Loafing: How crucial is radio air-play to a city trying to build a house music scene?

Lisa: That’s a given. KCRW (a Los Angeles radio station) has been huge for us. Some of our biggest sale points for records have been L.A., Atlanta and New York — and one of the biggest reasons for that has been because of [KCRW]. They really do an amazing job at pushing the underground music scene, especially house music. We’ve always said that if we had a KCRW in every city that would be amazing. It would be huge for the entire scene. But even if we got some of the local stations to play this music, it would be a definite plus for the whole scene

Speaking of radio, would you ever consider doing something a little more mainstream?

Not with that in mind. It’s one thing if what I do becomes popular in the mainstream, then that’s OK. I don’t believe that there’s such a thing called “selling out." You only sell out if you don’t like what you do.

So you wouldn’t necessarily seek out a (insert popular R&B producer name here) track?

No, I’m not going to seek it out. But to follow a path like Jill Scott, or Sade or Alicia Keyes, then yeah; that to me is great music that happens to be mainstream. But if we’re talking about “pop” music, like Black Eyed Peas, then no. I can’t stand that stuff.

Are there any songs that you wish you would have recorded first?

Well, no. People have thought that I have sung certain songs that I didn’t actually sing; a few songs that are on [the record label] Naked, like “Pure” and “Music and Wine.” On the flip side of that question, I’m like “No, that wasn’t me, but thanks for the compliment, 'cause I love that track”. So, no ... I mean, there are songs that I love, but I also love the voice that’s on that track. So it’s not about me, it’s about people mistaking me for that voice that gets me stoked, like “Ohh, thank you!”

What’s your favorite song that you recorded?

There’s been so many, but one of the ones has to be “Always.” That is such a classic ... one of the ones I’ve been doing since the beginning, and it’s forged its place in the whole house scene and in my life. Just the whole effect it’s had on people that didn’t know anything about house music or the kind of music that I was doing. That record has had the biggest impact on a lot of people’s lives, including my own. That one and “Everyday.” Those are probably my two favorite songs.

You’re from Toronto, but you moved to New York, are you a Raptors fan or a Knicks fan?

Of course I’m a Knicks fan! But I live in Miami now, so ...

— Ray Anderson