The Girl Just Wants to Have Fun

By Kyle Gunderson
Contributing Writer

Fargo DJ Tricia Swoverland, better known as Trish Dish, has been djing in the area for the past ten years. This week she will be playing at a huge electronic show in Minneapolis called Bassgasm.

High Plains Reader: How did you start djing?

Trish Dish: Well, I have been going to shows and djing for ten years. Ever since I went to my first show at Johnson’s Barn I knew that it was going to be my passion for the rest of my life and I haven’t stopped since. I’ve been going to shows all over the place. Wisconsin, Duluth, Minneapolis, Portland. It’s been amazing. When I first saw turntables and heard electronic music, I stood there and watched the DJ for hours, trying to figure out what he was doing. I couldn’t figure it out until I went out and bought my own records and started playing on friends’ turntables. It came really naturally to me.

HPR: What type of music do you play?

TD: Break beats and glitch are my favorite types of music. I mostly play new school breaks and funky breaks.

HPR: I know dubstep is huge here in Fargo. What do you think about dubstep?

TD: I love dubstep! I do have a couple of dubstep records. I want to get into buying some more. I’ve only seen two dubstep vinyl set records. I know there is some awesome dubstep out there. I just have to find it.

HPR: Where do you find your vinyl?

TD: To tell you the truth it is really nice being a female DJ. I go through all the used break beat records and I pick out the girly songs that I love that boys don’t like to play. I have ordered them online as well.

HPR: Why do you choose to spin vinyl records instead of using electronic equipment at your shows?

TD: I love the art form of playing vinyl records and being a turntablist. Digging through your crate, picking out records, sharing records with your friends. It’s more personal to me than a Mac computer. I’d rather have my Mac burn down with 3,000 songs on it than my record collection. I have such a relationship with every single one of my records. I could pick up a record and tell you where it came from, what it’s about, and what the story is behind it. I actually have a tattoo from one of my favorite records. I have such a deep relationship with my vinyl.

I’ve tried using computers and I like it and totally want to get back into it someday, but I figure that if I have to move forward into the digital evolution of electronic music, that I’m going to play on CD DJs and learn to work with three of them. I didn’t really care for CD DJs until I saw Benny Benassi in Minneapolis at Club Spin. He played on three of them and it was the sickest thing I’ve ever seen. The place was so packed I was all the way in the back by the bathroom watching him on the video screen because there was no room to dance out on the floor.

HPR: What shows do you have coming up?

TD: I’m playing at Bassgasm in Minneapolis on Friday, February 19. This is going to be my biggest show ever. Woody Mcbride is putting it on. He messaged me on Facebook and asked if I’d like to host him here in Fargo. He needed other people to play and asked if I knew anyone. I told him I could because I have been doing it forever. Awhile after that he called me and said he is throwing a huge show called Bassgasm and asked if I would want to play. He went online and listened to a mix of mine from my radio show and then booked me. I also have the Trick Lingerie Party on February 27 at the Aquarium. It’s my birthday party and when I am in Fargo, I like to throw a party for myself. The last one was called Golden Delicious for my golden birthday. On March 27 I will playing at a benefit show for the Rape and Abused Crisis Center and all of the icedbreaks DJs will be there.

HPR: What is it like going from small local shows in Fargo to a much larger-scale event like Bassgasm?

Well, I played in Portland too. They weren’t huge shows but I feel like playing in Portland and playing at Bassgasm brings up the same feelings. I was so nervous in Portland because it is such a big city and it is so hard to work your way up to where you want to be. Bassgasm will be easier because I am friends with everyone who’s playing.

HPR: What else do you do besides dj?

I bartend, go-go dance, I am a promoter, and I have a radio show called OMGSU on 96.3 KNDS, Fridays from five to six. I love dancing and I usually go-go for Sovereign Sect. The last time was at the Barn. We dress up in fun outfits. It’s awesome.

HPR: What do you want people to know about you?

TD: I love electronic music! All I want to do is play records and hang out with my friends and dance.

Trish Dish will be doing some serious djing, hanging out and dancing at the Aquarium’s Trick Lingerie & Pajama Party. Female Dj’s: Kittybump, Aveey, DJ Jeip, and of course Her Highness, divine and wonderful TD her very own self, in the flesh, on her auspicious birthday, plus special guest JustNtyme and her go-go dancers.

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If You Go

What: Trick Lingerie and Pajama Party
Where: The Aquarium
When: Sat, Feb 27, 9 pm
How Much: $5 adv, $7 door, 21+ID