Catching Up with L.A.'s Most Wanted: DJ Marshall Barnes

It’s Saturday night at Playhouse, one of the top clubs in Los Angeles.

Strobe lights illuminate the packed dance floor, go-go dancers in gold-sequined bikinis strut their stuff on balconies above the stage, and Hollywood’s hottest club-goers surround the bar trying to flag down the busy bartenders. Anticipation is in the air as the crowd waits for DJ Marshall Barnes to take the stage. Considered one of the country’s most talented up-and-coming DJs, Marshall Barnes was the protégé of the late DJ AM. He was featured in last year’s Coachella line-up. Currently shooting his own reality TV show, Marshall spends his nights spinning at the most popular clubs in L.A., Las Vegas, and New York. Young Hollywood got the opportunity to talk to this rising star about how he got his start, how his life has changed, and what the future holds...

YH: You’re so young; When and how did you begin your DJ career?

MB: I played the drums for 7 years and got my first pair of turn tables at the age of 16. Then in my senior year, I saw a friend DJ. I reacted to energy and got a natural high. I got some DJ mixing software and  practiced, practiced, practiced. I dropped out of college to focus on my career. Promoters heard about what I was doing and liked me and my original style. They started hitting me up, and I got a manager who booked gigs.

YH: How did DJ AM become your mentor?

MB: DJ AM was the main guy who inspired me to work hard; he taught me everything. He got me some bookings, and then I got a buzz going. DJ AM took me under his wing and we were inseparable. We hung out every day and traveled together. I was his road dog, and I worked for him and paid my dues. Several years ago, I had a drug problem and he got me sober. We spent a lot of time together, hanging out at his house, chilling, going to dinners. Adam liked me to open for him because he knew what I would play; he was comfortable with me. He was my role model. I was hit very hard by Adam’s passing. I’m still recovering from it. I still get depressed, sad, and angry. He was a guy I looked up to every day of my life. I spent time with him every single day. I had heard about Adam before I met him, and I never thought I would even meet him, then I became like his little brother. We did stuff outside of the DJ world. We had a really close friendship, like family. I was devastated by his death, I lost it. My mom was having chemo at the same time. It was a rough time for me. I was devastated when my mom told me that she was sick. I couldn’t move; I couldn’t do anything. I didn’t want to believe it. It was something that I only heard about happening to other people, I never thought it would happen to me. It was a huge reality check, and it changed me.

YH: What is your favorite venue to play?

MB: Pure in Las Vegas. The energy, staff, and crowd are remarkable .

YH: What was your Coachella experience like?

MB: It was exciting and nerve-wracking. I felt honored that I got to play amongst all the huge artists. It was truly life-changing; it taught me a lot. The whole weekend was surreal. It didn’t hit me until I got on stage. I never thought this would happen. It was a dream come true.

YH: How has fame changed your life?

MB: Fame really hasn’t changed my life; I stick to my roots. Marshall Barnes is a brand. I’m still the same person I’ve been my whole life. I’ve always stayed close to my friends. The only thing that has changed is that now I run with a new crew in addition to my old friends. Sometimes I hang out withParis and Nicky Hilton, Travis Barker, and Shwayze. I’m also good friends with Steve Aoki. But I have to be careful about who I spend time with. There are a lot of leeches out there, and now that I’m making great money and have all this fame and the celebrity friends, there are some people who want to hang out for the wrong reasons. I’m good at reading people and I make sure to stay true to good friends and stick with them.

YH: Do girls throw themselves at you?

MB: I had a girlfriend for a long, long time, but I messed that up with drug use. On the road, girls are all over the place, and it’s fun and nice, but I’m still kind of with this girl. She’s my first love, the greatest girl ever. I do talk to other girls and have fun, but I miss her a lot. I’m not looking for a serious relationship. I’m young -- 23 -- and having a good time. I want to focus on my work and my career and producing. I’ve been approached to do a TV show as well.

YH: What will the TV show be about?

MB: Nothing’s set in stone yet, but it would be about the life of Marshall Barnes, being young, and traveling around the country. It will show my struggles and all that I have to deal with -- fame, money, life on the road, all of that. The show also goes into my background, my whole history. It’s a chance for the viewers to see the real me.

YH: How is your music different from that of other DJs?

MB: I experiment more with different stuff. I’m always looking for new obscure and cool sounds to incorporate into commercial stuff. I play remixes of house and electro that people normally wouldn’t play. I test out different sounds for different crowds; every show is different and depends on the audience.  I’m always playing for the crowds, seeing what works, and how they react to each sound. Some of the stuff is pretty wacky. I like to get weird and crazy but I make it work; people like it. Sometimes I’ll play punk and put hip hop over it or Led Zeppelin with old school hip hop over it. That kind of thing.

YH: Who are your influences/favorite DJs?

MB: DJ AM, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Premiere, A-Trak.

YH: Who are your favorite artists to collaborate with?

MB: I like to collaborate with Travis Barker. I have DJ’d for some of the artists on his record label as well as for him. As far as DJs, I used to do sets with DJ AM and Devon Lucien. With Travis Barker, I spin while he’s on the drums.

YH: What are your plans for the future?

MB: I’m always into trying different things and expanding my brand. I want to start investing in other companies, maybe doing a clothing line.

YH: What message do you have to share with your fans?

MB: Stay true to yourself and who you are. Don’t listen to people trying to bring you down, they’re just jealous. Believe in your dreams and your goals. Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t happen.