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Anastasios Ioannis Skalkos, better known as Taso or DJ Masturi, is a DJ and producer who discovered his love for music at an early age. From Lego DJ booths to performing on the world’s most renowned stages, Taso has built a career that blends energy, passion, and dedication to music. As a member of the globally recognized Teklife collective, he aims to spread messages of love, peace, and unity through his music. On Saturday, October 5th, we will have the opportunity to hear his set at KC Grad, where he will be supported by local DJs Jackie Dagger and Phillie P. Ahead of this gig, we talked to Taso about his career and DJing.

Dj Taso
Can you tell us how you first got into DJ-ing and what inspired you to pursue it professionally?
DJ Taso: It all started when i was really young. In 4th grade I made a DJ booth out of legos. I painted quarters black and used helicopter joystick as needles. The mixer had green yellow and red colors on it. In 8th i got to touch technics for the 1st time n the rest was history. What made me want ro persue professionally was the ability to spread love and peace through music and to travel the world simultaneously. Also, seeing DJ Spinn and Rashad do it 1st with their own style abd grace was proof that this ahit was real.
How did you first get involved with the Teklife collective, and what does being part of this crew mean to you?
I first got involved back in 2012 when I met DJ SPINN in San Francisco. After meeting bro with Dj Assault at a party they played, we worked in studio B at Hyde Street studios. I had keys there but Spinn opened all the doors (and windows) in my life. This crew means the world to me. It is the greatest honor of my life being 1st generation Greek from Boston and San Francisco and getting to rep the LIFE worldwide.
What is your approach when preparing for a set? Do you plan your tracks ahead of time or do you prefer to improvise based on the crowd?
Never plan always improvise. I make all my own tracks that I play out live so I guess I’m always preparing in my own proprietary way all day every day. It’s all i think about besides food, water and shelter.


What are some of your biggest musical influences, both inside and outside of footwork, that have shaped your sound today?
Dj Rashad, Dj Spinn, Dj Deeon, Paul Johnson, Dj Milton, RP Boo, Eric Martin, Traxman, Sun Ra, Markos Vamvakaris, Haris Alexiou, Dj Premier, Wu Tang Clan, Mac Dre, 2Pac, Biggie, Big L, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, King Tubby, Aurthur Verocai, Nina Simone the list goes on forever.
Technology has changed the DJing landscape. How do you balance using traditional gear and embracing new technology in your sets?
I am an open book. I love learning and I think all cultures deal with the same principles that revolve around recycling. It is necessary with forward movement. We must blend the old with the new constantly to create great change amongst a static landscape.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your DJ career, and how have you overcome them?
Fear of success and fear of failure. We must not vascilate between internal and external validation. That’s where one goes wrong. I overcome all of this with a healthy diet and constantly practice on my instruments.

Is there a particular moment or gig that stands out as the most memorable in your career so far?
A few… Glastonbury, Fabric room 1, Berghain room 1, Cairo, Cuba, Bombay, Tokyo, Beijing, Australia Brazil. Fuck I’ve played 45 countries on all 6 continents every show everywhere is a blessing. They all stand out in their own way trust.
When you’re in the middle of a set, how do you maintain focus and read the energy of the crowd?
All gas no brakes 6th gear flying. They go off my energy i dont go off theirs. Reading the room is for rookies. We play Teklife full tilt with the wind in our sails. 160bpm start to finish baby.
When performing live, what’s the one track you can always rely on to get the crowd going?
PASS THAT SHIT – DJ RASHAD X DJ SPINN X TASO. No better feeling than hearing the crowd sing the lyrics live no matter language they speak in that country. That proves music (and weed) unites all walks of life.
How do you keep your music fresh and innovative in such a fast-paced industry?
Our music is timeless. We don’t worry about the industry. The industry worries about us (laugh).

What do you enjoy most about being a DJ, and what are some aspects of the job that are less glamorous?
I enjoy everything about being an international underground touring Dj. I enjoy looking out of the window in the plane and thinking about all the people that live their daily lives and what this like for them. My favorite part of being a traveling Dj is getting to meet like minded people all over the world. It took many years for me to figure out that part. But what a blessing it truly is. Less glam part is the lack of sleep, comforts of home and missing my mom.
What advice would you give to aspiring DJs who are just starting out?
Work WORK WORK. 80 hours a week 7 days a week. This shit isnt for everybody. There is no cheating in this game. And the faster u rise the faster u fall. In greek we say “SIGA SIGA” easy easy.
What are your goals for the future of your music career?
Already achieved most of my goals. Time to set new ones. But the greatest goal is mental health and financial stability. Thats it plain and simple. I also want to go down in history as the hardest white boy dj in America/World after Bad Boy Bill and Dj Godfather (shoutouttttt). Oh and also owning a Jet Ski in the Aegean Sea in my beloved area of Laconia, Greece. Spartaaaaaaa babyyyyyyyyy. Upcoming collabs with Machinedrum, Rp Boo, Dj Rashad (rip), Dj Spinn, EL-B, Gant-Man and many many more that I can’t speak on at the moment.
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