By Martin Chang

Editor in Chief

A new type of music has hit Bakersfield with the help of local artists associated with the DRFTRS record label. These musicians held their first show at Riley’s Tavern on March 15 to a packed house.

Omar Oseguera, a local musician and DRFTRS founder, organized this first event.

He wanted the event to showcase the kinds of multi-genre infused electronic music that pushes boundaries.

“It is an event where we showcase producers and djs that are bringing the sound of hip-hop influenced electronic music up to date, to another level and even further,” he said.

Oseguera, who played that night under his dj name Oso, thinks that this style of music is missing in Bakersfield.

Oseguera wants to use these DRFTRS events to broaden the town’s tastes in multiple artistic forms.

“We’re bringing it to Bakersfield,” he said. “No one really pays attention to that, so we’re trying to do what djs should be doing, breaking new records and artists, as well as showcasing ourselves as artists at the same time.”

Nick Brown, whose dj name is EqualStatus, played at the DRFTRS show and he thought the music that they are playing goes beyond “simple club music.”

“It’s not the type of music you can just keep in the background,” he said. “With our type of music we want you to have a good time ,but we also want you to reflect.”

The show was held in a separate room away from the hustle and bustle of the main bar. With video projections on stage and blue colored lighting in the audience, a different vibe could be felt. Some were just hanging out and drinking, talking to friends. Others were listening, bobbing their heads and giving the djs their props by putting their hands up and  “whoaing” in appreciation.

Both Brown and Oseguera were unsure of the turnout at their new show.

They were both happily surprised at the packed room they found themselves playing, and hope to do another show soon.

“I didn’t expect that great of a turnout,” Brown said. “We kind of came in expecting the worst, but the vibe was cool. We had people vibing out. We had people coming out on stage. People came up to me. I really dug that. I didn’t expect that at all, but that’s definitely what we want to shoot for, to bring that electronic thing here. I want to be in an environment where people can reflect and really listen to what is being played.”

Brown’s friend Brandon Williams found the show and the music as a chance to escape.

“It was beautiful,” Williams said. “It was great for your spirit. It was an enlightening type of experience. You really just let yourself go, and let the music be what it is.”

It was the first time Brown had a chance to play his original music and he relished the moment.

“That was my first time doing it,” Brown said about playing his original music. “That was something I was almost dreaming about since I was a kid.”

Another moment that stuck out to Brown was when he played a song in which he sampled Nintendo music.

“I dropped that Mario, Super NES type of beat. I didn’t expect to get the reaction that I got. It was awesome. People really dug that beat.”

The next DRFTRS event will be held during an art showcase on April 25-27 at 3604 Chester Ave.