Anthrocon 2009 DJ Spotlight: Yappy Fox

Anthrocon features some of the most talented DJs in the Furry Fandom, but who are they really? We'll be taking some time in the weeks running up to the convention to let you know, in their own words, what makes them tick and what you can expect from their sets.

To start off 2009 I introduce to you Yappy Fox!

Fandom Name: Yappy Fox
Real Name: Randy Fox
Stage Name: Yappy Fox
Age: 40
Influences: All the goofy pop/dance music of the early 80's
Genres Played: 70's - 00's, Disco, Freestyle, Dance
DJ Style: Video Jockey and able to do requests.

Biography:

I am a resident of Central Florida, and employed by that popular mouse that seems to own much of the area. Working in the field of professional audio and video, I tend to be very technical in my hobbies, which would bore most of the artist types that make up the fandom. I do however have a interest in fursuiting, and seem to be involved in this weekly internet puppet show. I also have an interest in amateur radio, and a recent interest in motorcycling. I have been in the Furry fandom since 1997, where I made Albany Anthrocon the first furry convention I ever attended. Well since that time, I have attended every Anthrocon to date, making it my strongest effort to attend AC, every year. From that first AC, I have been involved in several different types of activities such as leading the first Fursuit parade, to choreographed masquerade skits, puppet shows and ham radio fox hunt events.

Seemingly everything I get into involves music, and I've been told I have a wide interest in older genres. I have tested this, and have subjected my audiences to some unusual stuff, but I have found that some of those "Oldies" from the 80's seem to be popular goofy songs to dance to in fursuit. I did a few spontaneous DJing at several cons, Usually since I run the A/V at some smaller cons, I generally have the controls in my paws, and when I see a group of fursuiters out in the room, I would randomly just start playing some old school freestyles or 80's dance, and fursuits would break out into a full floor of dancing fursuits. I have done this many times, but have never been an official DJ for a con. I know last year, I shared the floor with Rory for a second fursuit dance, and we managed to do a back and forth DJ set that seemed to have the floor packed, and also was alot of fun, as Rory and I would toss difficult songs to segue into off onto each other, then run to the bar to buy each other more drinks.

My musical styles are not stuck in one genre, and I have been known to take some hard left turns when playing my sets. I am still learning what works and what doesn't, so sometimes those left turns are too abrupt. I am trying to use music videos in my set, as I like to offer light show and visuals along with the audible, as well as I think it entertains those that are just standing on the side lines to see an old school music video. I play mostly 80's dance, ranging from the late disco era on to freestyle, and even on into the dance music from the 90's and current. Since there are already many DJ's in the electronic music genres, I tend to stay out of the techno/trance/drum-n-bass so to offer a get away for those that might not be into that type of music. So my sets tend to stay around 120 bpm instead of 300, and yes, the grey muzzles tend to hang out. I also do something rare at furcon dances, and since I dont play a pre-set playlist, I actually take requests. I have a pretty large collection of music I bring with me to conventions, and I think out of al the requests I got last year at AC, there were only 2 songs I did not have. Just don't hit me with requests of the obscure and uncharted.. keep the requests to stuff that was charted in the top 40.

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Check back next week, when the spotlight is pointed at a West Coast favorite, AudioDile!