Mashtodon

Randall L. Russell, A.K.A. “MASHTODON,” is an "open format DJ / mash up artist" mixing all genres with a concentration on Electronic Dance Music VS Hip Hop. He currently lives in Burlington, Vermont, plans to head to LA for the winter, and is actively seeking gigs in The Big Apple as well as internationally. He was born in Agana Heights, Guam where his Vietnam veteran father was stationed with the U.S. Navy at the time. He spent the duration of his life on an old dairy farm in Vermont to which he now owns and continues to remain passionate about farming. In his spare time he grows organic produce to which he donates to local food programs, or sells at a farm stand, all to which is funded by his DJing so don’t feel bad about booking this guy a gig! He calls himself “a farm boy by day / city slicker DJ by night.” Two completely disparate and dissimilar lifestyles of course. Mashtodon’s birthday of August 30th holds special, albeit sad significance as it was also the birthday of his best friend and mentor, Andy “A_Dog” Williams who recently passed away from acute myeloid leukemia. In keeping the legacy and passions alive of his good friend the non-profit Friends For A_Dog Foundation was created by Andy’s soulmate Josie, Mashtodon, and crew of amazing friends. More info at friendsforadog.com DJ Mashtodon first credits The Beastie Boys “Licensed to Ill” for drawing him to DJ-ing after his parents gave him the cassette for Christmas ’86 and to when he first heard the sound of records being scratched to a hip-hop beat. Punk rock and classic hip hop played a major role in his musical tastes, as well as the snowboarding and skateboarding scene that he became an avid participant in over the last 30 yrs. But it was local legend Andy “A_Dog" Williams, who he met a decade later at a local skateboard shop, “The B-Side,” that became the most enduring influence to his career. Williams demonstrated how to scratch and blend a record and they immediately struck up a friendship. It was then he gave Mashtodon one of his mix tapes that he “fell in love with”, and the rest is history. The two became super tight and traveled the US together for several years, DJ-ing clubs, fashion shows, and major sporting events for the world renowned Burton Snowboards. Mashtodon remembers Williams as “an amazing and truly giving / humble human being”, and believes in disseminating the skills A_Dog taught him, along with turntablism advice from him and DJ friends alike such a ZJ of LazerDisk, Big Dog & Demus, Nastee, Dakota, Cre8, C-Low, K-Salaam, and the Nexus Artist crew. Later influences and friends include DJ Craze, A-Trak and DJ Rob Swift. Mashtodon helped open Burlington’s first DJ school “The Lab” and is co-founder/co-owner of Burlington’s newest and only DJ school, “Studio 5” (more info at studio5vt.com). He says: “It took me 10 years on my own to learn how to do what I can teach these kids in the course of 2 weeks now thanks to technology. Kids have it so easy these days!” Mashtodon currently holds DJ residences at Burlington’s two biggest clubs Red Square and Ruben James. He has DJ’d across the country multiple times, including NYC, Las Vegas, and L.A. In the past he’s opened for the plethora of prominent acts such as Wu Tang Clan, Collie Buddz, Slick Rick, Common, Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys, Quest Love of The Roots, and much more. He also has weekly mash-ups aired on Vermont’s popular dance station 96.7 FM. When he’s not farming or manning the Leaning Barn Farm Stand, he works on new mixes and mashups. soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/mashtodon contact: mashtodon@gmail.com