📺 Watch the Video on Spotify & YouTube
"Love music. If you don't love music, if you're doing it for all the wrong reasons, that sincerity or lack of sincerity is going to show to the audience," says DJ Turnstyle, Minneapolis-based DJ, dancer, and lifelong explorer of hip-hop and house culture. As the inaugural guest on Behind the Decks MPLS, DJ Turnstyle shares the remarkable journey that started with being mesmerized by “Beat Street” and b-boy battles at a childhood drive-in, and led to sneaking into legendary Minneapolis clubs at 14 before ultimately becoming a mainstay of the local music scene.
Turnstyle traces his deep-rooted obsession with music to his musician father, cable TV, and the burning curiosity that compelled him to hunt down the origins of every sample, every beat, every style—from Prince and Michael Jackson dance moves to the surprise discovery of house music during a traffic jam in Chicago. He explains the philosophy behind being a true selector and conductor, driving a crowd with intention and reverence for the artistry in every track. He also describes why Minneapolis’ multicultural music ecosystem—hungry and eclectic—shaped his genre-blending, crowd-moving approach.
In this conversation with host Harry Duran, Turnstyle opens up about the heartbreak of selling his first decks, the DJ’s deeper responsibility to honor forgotten artists, and the advice he gives to anyone thinking about stepping behind the decks: bring love, curiosity, and purpose to the music above all else.
Tune in to Behind the Decks MPLS to discover how Turnstyle weaves together history, dance, hip-hop, and house into one electric journey—and why the best DJs, he insists, are always the biggest music lovers.
5 Key Takeaways
- Love music first—true passion is felt by everyone in the room. Honor your taste and let sincerity drive your set.
- Embrace your curiosity—explore every genre, dig for samples, and never stop learning. The more you know, the better your craft.
- Use your platform to elevate artists—respect the creators whose beats and records power your mixes. Be a responsible selector.
- Curate the experience—think like a conductor and guide your crowd on a journey, not just with tracks but with intention behind every transition.
- Start wherever you are—don’t wait for perfect gear. Mix with what you have, make the mixes you want to hear, and build momentum from there.
Memorable Quotes
"Love music. If you don't love music, if you're doing it for all the wrong reasons, that sincerity or lack of sincerity is going to show to the audience.""I loved the idea of curating a set and really living up to the idea of not just being a DJ but being a selector. How do I—what do I want to say tonight to people?""I feel like what we're doing as selectors and DJs is we have to love music and honor the artists who create this, because without it, we wouldn't have anything."Connect with DJ Turnstyle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnstyledj
Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/MDnrlsD2uhiVWDeJ7n
Connect with Us
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkPG6MJDADxPDad9Dkzg2ewN4Ry7BOnnL
Listen + Watch on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nuAdLB1RSemf51PCsTLba?si=ea696f6013d542ba
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-decks-mpls/id1868466897
MPLSHOUSE
Website: https://www.mplshouse.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/mplshouse
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mplshouse3333
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mplshouse
Angel Sandro on Instagram: http://instagram.com/angelmsandro
Credits
Podcast Track ID: (Feel For Yuh) - Jeff Swiff feat. MPLSHOUSE on Real Feel Records
https://itstherealfeel.bandcamp.com/album/jeff-swiff-mplshouse-six-won-two-ep-rfr004
Hosted by Harry Duran
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djhdbeats
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djhd
🎙️🎙️🎙️
Podcast Production & Marketing by FullCast - https://fullcast.co
