Shuffling that global sound

Fridays on college radio station KTUH-FM contain an all-star lineup of amateur personalities these days, with some of the most original programming available on local airwaves emanating from the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus.

'Boom Box' Featuring live performances by Dubphylum, the Rising End and Scary Areolas and DJs Davey Shindig, Matt Ratt and Ross Jackson. Place: Loft Hawaii, 115 N. Hotel St. Time: 10 p.m. Friday, and every last Friday of the month Info: myspace.com/240010660

KTUH veteran DJs Loriel and G-Spot provide the foundation in three-hour blocks from 3 to 9 p.m. with "The Friday Afternoon Bashment" and "The Underground Sounds Show," respectively. From 9 p.m. to midnight, Jake "The Snake" Miyasato hosts "The Mix Down," one of just two radio outlets for Hawaii hip-hop (KIKI-FM's "Mind Tactics Show" with DJ Jimmy Taco being the other).

But the most eclectic -- and mind-opening -- program is "Party Shuffle," hosted by Dave "Davey Shindig" Wilke and Nadia "Molly Firecracker" Sproul. The two partnered up a year ago to share music they thought was underplayed in Honolulu.

"I'VE FELT like I'm the only one playing this (stuff), which is bizarre because it's a global sound," Wilke said last week. "One of the big terms is 'Blog House.' ... It's accessible to anyone who goes and looks online, but I don't know anyone in Hawaii who's playing it besides (me)."

Born in the Midwest and raised on Oahu, the 25-year-old is secretive about his upbringing. He won't reveal where he attended high school ("Secrets are the essence of cool," he said), and prefers to keep quiet about his personal life.

Ask Wilke about music, however, and the extrovert in him comes bubbling to the surface.

"I see it as a movement, even if it is an entertaining kind of movement, as opposed to a religious experience," he said. "It's meant to cross over. I want to reach out to people."

Most of what he plays on "Party Shuffle" can be broken down into five genres that get little attention in the islands: dance-rock, electronica, electro pop, indie pop and minimal techno. While traditional house gets a lot of play in local clubs, Wilke believes the focus is too narrow for those wanting to experiment with their playlists.

TO COMBAT that trend, Wilke does his thing on KTUH every Friday before moving on to a resident DJ gig at Loft Hawaii with the Enterprise crew. He's also self-released a mash-up album, titled "The Vertigo LP."

"I've been making these mash-ups for a couple of years," Wilke said. "A lot of mash-ups you hear are really bad ... like the new Britney Spears on top of a 50 Cent instrumental.

"My stuff is strictly indie, underground music. Mash-ups don't have to just be bastard pop, it can be something that reaches you on ... a deeper emotional kind of level."

Time is running out, though.

He graduated from UH-Manoa in December with a degree in fine arts and has applied to join the Peace Corps. Depending on the offer he gets, Wilke could be gone by summer.

If that happens, keep an eye on DJ Whitty Cat, Wilke's protégé and the one most likely to fill his shoes if he leaves. DJs Sovern-T and Ms. Angel also get props for being best on the decks.

"I'd say Taharba (DJ Sovern-T) is probably my favorite local DJ, and Ms. Angel is amazing," Wilke said. "Not just because of the music that they play, but they really have skills.

"You bring those two to a party and people will have a good time. They're inspired."