Scratching the Surface: DJ Halo on Music, Life, and Beats

Tony Technique and Tim welcome veteran DJ, remixer, producer, turntablist, and label manager DJ Halo (Jeep Ward) to the Vinyl Underground Podcast. Halo recounts starting to DJ in 1997, upgrading to Technics 1200s, and surviving a life-changing incident at 22 when he was run over by two cars, with music becoming part of his rehab. He discusses early radio work in Arkansas where his hip-hop/R&B station surged in ratings before being sold, his roots in hip-hop through tapes like NWA and Public Enemy, and his approach to remixing and production in Ableton. Halo details touring and DJ runs, his time in Oakland, and current projects including an Ice-T release and label distribution challenges driven by AI-era legal scrutiny. He shares where to find his radio shows and offers advice for DJs to learn manual mixing.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro02:48 Halo Joins the Show04:36 Origin Story and DJ Name05:27 First Turntables and Gear Tips07:43 Accident and Recovery10:28 Radio Career in Arkansas13:47 Early Hip Hop Influences17:04 Remixes and Beatmaking Process21:15 Ableton Setup and Workflow23:04 Label Work and Legal Battles27:25 AI Music and Spotify Concerns30:14 Touring and Growing Up34:12 NYC Connections and Breakthrough35:06 Knitting Factory Crew36:01 Learning to Mix37:03 NYC Scene Memories40:09 Touring and West Coast42:19 Fake Four Records Era44:18 Oakland First Fridays45:59 Bay Life and Money49:23 Hustle Mindset Origins52:50 New Blue Records Update56:44 London Yoga Meets Goldie01:00:44 Ibiza DJ Conference01:02:39 Where to Find Halo01:04:42 Advice and Farewell