Gaby from Muzic.net.nz spoke with Elton Noyer AKA Scizzorhands this April 2023 about his present, past and future.
Scizzorhands has his own solo take on the world of music; adding his own flavour to the deck with a craft for turntabling and DJing. His experience is vast, having not only opened for names such as De La Soul and Mobb Deep, but also having taught music himself (MAINZ). As always, it's a pleasure to be able to chat to someone who's made a mark, and I hope it gets people out there.
What got you into turntabling, and how many turntables do you own?
I got into turntablism when I was 17. It was a hobby that became an obsession for many years. I have 6 turntables of different varieties. Some for DJing, some for audio pleasure and some for portablism (scratching on the go). Oh actually 7, as I’m also building a Scratch guitar - the Cuttar.
Who are your biggest musical influences right now in your life?
Biggest musical influences at the moment would be Rob Araujo, Run the Jewels, Anomalie, 20syl. All great production and differences in style. On a performance aspect probably Austin Millz, Nu-Mark and Buck Rodgers.
Are you still the Black Sheep of the Auckland DJ scene? How did you get this name and what does it mean?
I feel like the black sheep as I never fit in on regular nights. I’m very eclectic but also steer away from popular music I don’t really like. I have intense imposter syndrome everywhere I go generally, and feel like that on the DJ scene too. I also incorporate live performance aspects with turntablism, finger drumming and other trick mix bits, and feels like it goes over most people's heads.
In 2012, you flew the New Zealand flag at the Red Bull Thre3Style World Final in Chicago. This would have been a memorable experience. What did you do there, and how did it put you on stage at the time?
Yea, it was a big moment in my life and something that definitely changed my life moving forward. I didn’t realise I was good enough to even win a competition at the time and being thrust into the world finals after the NZ finals I really didn’t know how I was going to do. I did ok. The stress of performing on that level is rather intense. Judged by your childhood heroes against some of the world's baddest DJ’s was a weird but great experience. It really forced me further into the music world in which I always wanted to be a bigger part of.
Who are the biggest names or artists you have opened for, or played under at live gigs?
My favourite would be opening for De La Soul at La De Da, but biggest name? Oooh I really don’t know. I’ve opened for my favourite rapper Pharoahe Monch, opened for the GOAT DJ Craze, Tech Nine, Mobb Deep and a few biggish names. But not a really really popular artist.
You made an incredible EP last year with Kevin Posey called Iron Flowerz. Have you got any plans to continue this type of collaboration? I think this album is a really underappreciated piece of NZ music, and have really enjoyed it to say the least.
Awesome!! Yea Kevin and myself have a couple little things on the go, but I struggle working online. I find I get the best from myself and others when we are in the studio together, and is definitely the way I prefer to experience music creation. They’ll be more for sure! In terms of under-appreciation? I really respect your love for the project, however for myself I feel like we aren’t there yet with where we can go. I was hoping to get some more love for the project when we released it, and given the BLM movement happened just after we dropped the song “Yeah" I felt though it was the right time. But the universe will serve the music as it sees fit. I guess it doesn’t resonate for some people the same way it resonated with myself... But it’s art, and I guess it might have its time in the future or be the move I needed to make to serve the next piece.
Tell us a bit about your journey at MAINZ (Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand) with other students. How has this impacted your journey, and what other teaching opportunities have you had thus far?
I loved being a part of the MAINZ whanau. I was a part-time teacher after my normal job as a panelbeater, then got an offer to work on the daytime programme. I love teaching and also teaching something I’m so passionate about. I recommend everyone with a skill should teach that skill... you advance so much more when you're forced to think about it from a teacher's perspective. I started a DJ school at Burgerfuel too, which was fun and made a comeback in 2023.
What are your near future plans as an artist?
My plans at the moment include starting up a studio and production suite with my drummer and producer friend Corey Friedlander (City of Souls/ 8 Foot Sativa/Beckoned). The goal is to produce up and coming artists, as well as community initiatives for artistic talent. I am also currently working as a live aid for Michele Ducray, DJing live on stage and helping craft her live performance. I have a couple things on the go with Kevin Posey again, and also continuing to work on my own stagecraft with some more live performances using my drum machine... and soon to be working Cuttar.
Hailing from West Auckland, Scizzorhands is a world class turntablist who is always improving on skill and knowledge, bringing a variety of music in a hip-hop way.
From a young age, he was influenced by his grandparents and family who introduced him to music in the form of a drum kit at age 11.
Aged 17, Scizzorhands invested in his first set of turntables. Being heavily influenced by the likes of Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys), DJ Rectangle and New Zealand’s own P-Money, he started down the path of becoming a turntablist DJ. Self-taught, Scizzorhands upskilled his scratching under the tutelage of New Zealand’s 2003 DMC World Champion DJ CXL.