You may have heard it time and time again, but it’s true: Duncan Beiny, aka DJ Yoda, has to be seen at least once in a lifetime. Instrumental in pushing the boundaries of turntablism and (in)famous for his cut-up style of mixing, the always tongue-in-cheek Yoda has refined his skills for the last decade and evolved from a hip-hop jockey with a difference, to an audio-visual mastermind oozing eccentric flare. Nothing is sacred, musical genres mean squat. And that’s what makes a Yoda show unique. Family Guy, Se7en, The Hard Way, Love Actually and countless others all featured in his latest AV show Stop Look and Listen, chopped up ingeniously to do the London DJ’s bidding. Now, Yoda is back this month with a brand new show: The Wonderful World of DJ Yoda. Brainer caught up with him for a quick 11 minutes.

What’s your favourite album of all time?
Big Daddy Kane’s ‘It’s a Big Daddy Thing’

What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you on tour?
There’s been a few. Taking a two-seater plane in Malawi, Africa when I nearly crushed my girlfriend’s hand out of fear.

What’s the one thing that you have to have on your rider?
The truth (water and towels) is so much more boring than making up something like flamingos dipped in hazelnut yoghurt.

What’s your favourite city to play in the world?
I find that the smaller or farther out that a town is, the more appreciative the crowd are about having a guest DJ fly in. So some of the biggest cities in the world like Paris and New York can be the least fun to play in. Whilst Perth or Penzance is always going to go off.

What’s your favourite film?
The Big Lebowski.

What’s your signature dish?
This week – shaved courgette, pecorino cheese, lemon, borage and pea salad.

What’s your favourite joke?
I get turned on by Greek dips – I’m hummus-sexual.

What’s your favourite word?
Cinnamon.

Emmerdale or Eastenders?
Fuck off.

The best thing about being DJ Yoda?
Getting to see so much of the world.

What was the first record you bought?
Roland Rat – ‘Rat Rappin”

What do you think makes a great DJ?
Skills and taste.

What was the last gig you went to?
I went to see German electronic DJs Ame and Dixon at the Roundhouse in Camden, to see this 360 degree projection screen that Ron Arad designed. Pretty awesome.

Biggie or 2Pac?
Biggie.

Is vinyl dead?
Not in certain circles.

Where would you like to see the craft of DJing go next?
I’d like to see it return to the craft generally. Too many DJs just pressing play on a CDJ and waving their hands in the air.

Tell us about The Wonderful World of DJ Yoda.
I mix audio and video at the same time – using some of my favourite clips from movies, YouTube stuff, TV shows, cartoons, whatever. It’s easier to come see than explain!

Words: Ian Hsieh

DJ Yoda plays The Wonderful World of DJ Yoda with The Trans-Siberian March Band at the Roundhouse on September 10th, taking the show on tour throughout the UK in October and November. For more info, visit djyoda.co.uk, and you can follow Yoda on Twitter.