We know you’ve been craving some new music, clearly we can read your mind. Check out theCampusStyle’s exclusive interview with Paper Diamond, an awesome new DJ making his mark on the music industry. We expect your iTunes library to grow just a tad after reading up on PD.

TheCampusStyle: Is this your first time to Charleston, SC?

Paper Diamond: I first started off in a band pnuma trio and we used to perform here. So I’ve been here a bunch of times.

TCS: That’s awesome. Charleston is such a cool city. So have you always been musically inclined?

PD: Yeah, I started playing violin when I was four. Then started playing bass, guitar and drums by the age of 12. By high school I was in bands. I went to college for music.

TCS: Where did you go to college?

PD: Middle Tennessee State.

TCS: Nice. Right near Nashville and Bonnaroo. You think you prefer DJing or producing more?

PD: Producing is definitely my main thing. I like both though. When you’re in a band it comes with a lot of different things like different wants and needs and different artistic visions. So I think its pretty cool to be solo and just run wild. Especially with this tour because I’m touring with my some of my best friends. Two Fresh is on my label and I’m actually known them since they were 15 years old.

TCS: That’s amazing. You are definitely touring with a talented bunch. When you play do you prefer to have a prepared set list or do you improvise?

PD: Yeah, everything is improvised. I have ideas of what I’m going to do. There are certain songs that I think I’m going to play with the majority of my stuff. But I don’t exactly know what I’m doing when I get up there. I know where I’m starting. I just try and vibe with the crowd.

TCS: Improv must be challenging but that shows how great of an artist you are. Where did you get the name Paper Diamond?

PD: It comes from the artistic concept of taking a piece of paper and folding it into a diamond. Where is being simple or complex its beautiful and unique. So with music it’s like taking nothing and turning it into art whether it is something simple or something super complex it’s about creating unique and artistic expression of myself.

TCS: Wow. That’s so interesting and very clever. What do you think has been the biggest moment of your career?

PD: This year alone I got to make music for a movie Pirates of the Caribbean on Disney. Getting to do all these cool film opportunities. Playing with people I respect like Pretty Lights, Bassnectar and all these groups that are really dope. It keeps getting crazier and crazier. Like today I’m on a tour bus in Charleston with all my friends. We are filming the whole tour and creating web-a-sodes. I play shows all over the world but I’m extremely grateful for all of it.

TCS: Where do you think has been your favorite place to perform?

PD: Definitely Red Rocks and a couple of shows in Japan were crazy. This year alone I did 18 festivals this summer. Electric Forest was definitely one of my favorite festivals.

TCS: I bet. Red Rocks is so beautiful and I’ve heard nothing but good things about electric forest. So what’s next for you?

PD: I’m working on 3 music videos. The people that are director the videos did music videos for Asher Roth, Pharrell, and many more. So they are doing the music video for the new single. Then I have two more music videos in the works. I have a new EP coming out called “Paragon”. I also own an art gallery and record called “Elm and Oak” its actually a design gallery in boulder co. we have an office there. Elm and Oak functions as a record label, design shop, and clothing line.

TCS: You’re quite the Renaissance man. You do everything! Who inspires you musically?

PD: Well its always changing. For me it’s kind of like my present surroundings. Like the track “Can We Go Up” I happen to make that when I was opening for Skrillex for two weeks. After you hear someone playing every night you are hearing all these different tones and you start to make your own version of it. It changes everyday because of who I’m with, where I am, where I’m making music, and people who are on my bus. Like there are people on my bus now that love Electro-House. Like the guys from “Sorry for Partying” (mash-up type music) and Nick from thissongissick.com (which is a massive music blog) listen to different music then I would and it effects the music I make. Its not like I intend for my music to get influence by who I go on tour with but its natural.

TCS: What shoe best describes you?

PD: Umm.. I would say right now its Vans. I own a bunch of Supras and Nikes but vans are really durable for skate boarding and I’ve been skate boarding everyday. It great because I want to be able to skateboard at anytime and vans are the perfect shoes for that.

To download some free Paper Diamond tracks, click here. Also check out Elm&Oak, where you can find a new EP for the band “Cherup” – they’re a mix of MGMT and Prince. If Paper Diamond recommends it, you know it’s good.

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- Virginia Claussen (Director of Admissions)