Weekend Music Preview: Prince Klassen CD Release Party & The Return! of Car Stereo (Wars)

KVRX 91.7 FM has long served the UT students, airing well selected music, providing original content via their Local Live series, and often prepping the kiddos for successful careers in radio and production. This Saturday, the student radio station takes over Emo’s for a two stage assault appropriately titled the KVRX Back To School Extravaganza -- Ringo Deathstarr, {{{ SUNSET }}}, Transmography, Death is not a joyride., and Phranchyze are some a few of the acts scheduled to perform.

The one man band that is Scott H. Biram headlines Room 710 on Saturday. Armed with his guitar, foot pedal, and harmonica, Biram churns out bluesy rockabilly ditties of the highest caliber, and attending one of his live shows is a must to witness his inherent talent. If you’re looking for a dance party on Saturday evening, well you’re in luck. One of Austin’s favorite DJs, Car Stereo (Wars), has returned from his journey to Europe and will be back at the helm at Beauty Bar this Saturday. Bird Peterson will also spin the beats, while The Laughing, fresh off an exhilarating performance at their CD release bash last weekend, provide live music.

Candy & Cigarettes celebrates the release of its second issue at Club de Ville; music courtesy of Learning Secrets, A Faulty Chromosome, Lady Pterodactyl, and International Waters. The Black and White Years’ show (at Stubb’s) is another option for a night out on town on Saturday. The band recently lit up Austin Monthly’s “Bachelor Issue Release Party” at the Gibson Guitar Showroom with a scintillating live set.

Sunday’s choices include Jeremy Enigk at Stubb’s, Muchos Backflips! at Trophy’s, Hit By A Car at Room 710 and Those Peabodys at Emo’s. Batfest 2008 also wraps up two days of fun and festivities on the South First Bridge on Sunday -- the schedule for both Saturday and Sunday can be viewed on the Batfest poster image, immersed in our trusty Austinist Weekend Music Preview Slideshow (further) below.

And finally, our interview with Prince Klassen.

When did you decide you wanted to be a DJ?

Prince Klassen: I had a ton of different influences growing up, but I would have to say the one biggest thing that influenced me was recording a mix show every Saturday night for three years on a San Antonio community college station. The call letters were KSYM (90.1 FM) and the show was called "House Nation" and the host of the show was Leonard "DJ Rise" Trujillo. I was 13 going on 14 at the time and my older brother was getting into the house music scene that S.A. was known for at the time. He would have me record the show for him while he was at work so he would not miss anything as well as have me call in and request songs of new stuff he was getting into. I started getting heavily into the show myself and it became a weekly ritual of mine to do. I was super young, so it was not like I could go out or anything on a Saturday night. Eventually, Leonard would get to know me from my calls every week and he became a good friend a little down the line. I want to say that I was 15 when I had my very own guest spot on the show, which was needless to say a huge honor for me and almost as nerve racking as could be. San Antonio's House scene was pretty legendary in my eyes and it was a crucial part of what made me who I am today.

You recently returned from a tour; what is the DJ scene in Austin like as compared with the cities you visited?

I did a small Canadian thing recently and went down the West Coast. I would say that Austin, or Texas, in general has some of the best DJs in the country. I am not saying that on some hometown pride either, it's just true.

Who are some local DJs you like to collaborate with?

DJ Mel is my biggest influence locally hands down. Dude has been rocking Texas for years now and just knows the real sense of being a DJ. I love working with Paco and Resinthol. They are the best disco DJs in town and just have so much soul. There are too many to name and I would hate to leave someone out.

Tell us about your new record Mi Fresh and what we can expect on putting it into our CD player?

Mi Fresh was an idea that I had last year but never got around to making. Basically, dance music is the new turntablism (a.k.a. dude fest) and it’s just not what it used to be. I wanted to put together something that can be a little more classic and soulful. It incorporates the usual broad spectrum of genres that can be heard in my sets, but it is a little more refined and easily accessible to your average listener or a Wax Poetics type. Not too deep, but enough flavor on there to please everyone. I named it after a Poor Righteous Teachers song of the same name. I was on a flight and the song came on my iPod and was so into it, I played it about 8 times in a row.

Lastly, why Prince Klassen as the moniker?

Well, I am absolutely horrible at naming things and the same goes with my DJ name. I didn't really have a DJ name until DJ Jester the Filipino Fist got me my first actual club gig and we were literally at the San Antonio Current's office telling them about the upcoming night for their calendar section. Jester just said to use my last name and we didn't have anytime to really think of anything else. Then a few years down the line, I was completely taken by dub and reggae music. One night I was doing a guest spot on Trinity University's radio station and I then renamed myself as a tribute to some of my favorite Jamaican artists, Prince a.k.a. King Jammy, King Tubby, Prince Far I, and so on.

Check out the Austinist Weekend Music Preview Slideshow below for details on a number of shows in town this weekend.

Images from MySpace / provided by entity.