An Interview with Music Interviewer DJ Rossstar
- Hawk-IT Media
- 1 hour ago
- 8 min read
Welcome to Hawk-IT Interviews! Today, I had the opportunity to sit down for an engaging Q&A session with DJ Rossstar, a well-known interviewer who has dedicated his career to highlighting bands and artists from all corners of the music scene. With over two decades of experience, DJ Rossstar has been conducting interviews since 2002, building a reputation for bringing out authentic and insightful stories from the people behind the music.
In today’s interview, we explored his journey in depth—starting from his early upbringing and the experiences that shaped his passion for music, to how he first got started in the world of interviewing, much more.
Amit Ahuja: To start at the very beginning, I’d love to go back to your roots—can you paint a picture of where you grew up? What were your hometowns like, the communities around you, and the overall atmosphere—socially, emotionally, culturally—that shaped your early years?
DJ Rossstar: I grew up on Long Island, New York. There wasn’t a huge pop-punk/punk/ska scene in my area, but thankfully I was able to find my group of like-minded friends early on in life. We spent many weekends going to shows in New York City, and that passion for discovering new music and introducing new music to each other is what inspired me to pursue a career in interviewing.
Amit Ahuja: And looking back now with everything you’ve experienced since, how do you feel those early chapters of your life shaped who you became—not just as a person, but in terms of your values, your worldview, your emotional resilience, and even the way you approach creativity and self-expression today?
DJ Rossstar: Green Day is my favorite band, and their music has encouraged me since 1994 to be proud of being different. I knew early on that my interests were not very common amongst my peers, but they brought me joy, and I’m glad I didn’t give in to societal pressures and abandon my own identity during those formative years.
Amit Ahuja: From there, I’m really curious about how that path led you into music journalism and becoming an interviewer. You’ve been interviewing bands and artists since 2002, which is an incredible span of time—can you take me back to where it all began? What first pulled you into this world, and what do you remember most vividly about those early days—the excitement, the uncertainty, the feeling of stepping into something that would end up defining such a big part of your life?
DJ Rossstar: My first live show was in September of 2002. The band Home Grown was my studio guest. This was at my college radio station at American University in Washington D.C. I grew up idolizing Carson Daly, Howard Stern, and the fictional talk show from the film ‘Wayne’s World.’ Once I went LIVE for the first time, I believed that the rush of excitement was something that would never dissipate. I was right!
Pierce The Veil & DJ Rossstar
Amit Ahuja: As that journey started to take shape, was there a particular moment—or even a specific interview—where things clicked and you thought, “this is what I’m meant to be doing”?
DJ Rossstar: Prior to going live for my first show, I spent the year attending concerts and interviewing bands backstage on my cassette recorder. (New Found Glory, Turbo A.C.s, Flogging Molly) Because of this, I was given a press pass to Warped Tour that Summer where I was able to interview many of my favorite artists. That day at Warped Tour was the moment I knew I was destined to do this.
Amit Ahuja: And as the years went on and more opportunities opened up, how did that early spark evolve into something long-term? What kinds of doors has this career opened for you that you might not have expected when you first started?
DJ Rossstar: Interviewing has taken me many places over the last 20+ years. I had a nationwide column in Substream Magazine, hosted a few music festivals, was hired by Buzznet.com to be one of their music content creators, and even held my own festival, Rossstock (2009), that Skrillex headlined!
Amit Ahuja: Over time, you’ve spoken with artists at every stage of their careers—from emerging voices to established names—and I imagine those conversations can feel very different. How does the energy or honesty shift depending on where an artist is in their journey, and what have those differences taught you about ambition, success, and vulnerability?
DJ Rossstar: I love positivity. Whether I was interviewing a brand-new band or scene veterans, if they had that zest for life, it made the interviews much more enjoyable for me.
Amit Ahuja: When you go into these interviews, do you usually already have a connection to the artist’s music, or have there been moments where the conversation itself changed your perspective and turned you into a fan? And when that happens, how does it reshape the way you listen to their work afterward?
DJ Rossstar: I have interviewed many of my favorite bands and my own personal questions ready to go. However, there have been many artists I have spoken to where I didn’t know much about their music beforehand. I believe my easy-going nature still allowed us to have a wonderful conversation. I have definitely become a fan of some of my past guests after our interview (and sometimes acoustic performance)
Amit Ahuja: With so much experience behind you, you’ve probably encountered people who underestimate what you do—who think interviewing is something simple or easy. How do you respond to that? And from your perspective, what do people fundamentally misunderstand about the craft—the preparation, the listening, the ability to draw something real out of a conversation?
DJ Rossstar: Anyone can read a list of questions aloud and then listen to the answers. I believe the ability to have a great conversation with a total stranger is a gift.
Amit Ahuja: Having had a front-row seat to the music world since the early 2000s, you’ve seen a lot of change. How have you watched the culture around bands evolve—not just in sound, but in attitude, openness, and the way artists present themselves?
DJ Rossstar: Social media changed everything. As a music fan growing up in the 1990s/early 2000s, when your favorite band wasn’t releasing a record/touring, you didn’t hear much about them in-between. Now, you know what the majority of your favorite artists are up to daily, for better or worse!
Amit Ahuja: And building on that, do you feel artists approach interviews differently now than they did back then? If so, what do you think has driven that shift—industry pressures, social media, or something deeper in the culture?
DJ Rossstar: When I started doing live interviews online, I was one of, if not THE only person doing it. Now, there are lots of podcasts and online publications, so artists have more places to be interviewed. This is great for them as FUSE/MTV doesn’t exist anymore.
Amit Ahuja: On a lighter note, after all these conversations, who stands out as the most unexpectedly funny or chaotic person you’ve interviewed and why?
DJ Rossstar: I have interviewed many people with outlandish personalities, but Jeffree Star and Zebrahead stand out as being two of the funniest.
Pete Wentz & DJ Rossstar
Amit Ahuja: At the same time, as both a journalist and a genuine fan of music, I’d love to know—who are the artists that have really stayed with you over the years? What is it about their music that connects with you on a deeper level, and how have they shaped the way you experience music?
DJ Rossstar: I connect to my favorite bands either lyrically, musically, or both. These artists keep me smiling! That list includes Green Day, Sum 41, New Found Glory, The Ataris, MXPX, and many, many more!
Amit Ahuja: With everything you’ve seen and documented, where do you feel music culture is heading in the next decade?
DJ Rossstar: I hope to see more people enjoying/feeling the music at live concerts. There is nothing worse than being in a crowd and you are unable to see the band in front of you because everyone has their phone up filming!
Amit Ahuja: And looking back at your own experiences, if you could take one interview and turn it into a movie scene, which one would you choose—and what made that moment so cinematic?
DJ Rossstar: My interview with the wild rock band Van Stone was filmed for a reality show pilot that was never picked up. They wreaked havoc at my old studio/apartment. I wish I knew where that footage was today!
Amit Ahuja: Thinking more broadly, how have you seen fan culture change over the years? Do you feel people are more connected now, or more divided in how they engage with music and artists?
DJ Rossstar: People are more connected to their favorite bands because of the internet. This can be a positive thing, but it has also led to a lot of parasocial behavior, which can become creepy very quickly.
Amit Ahuja: Outside of music, what are the things that really inspire you? Whether it’s film, books, television, podcasts, games, or visual art—what draws you in, and what is it about those forms of storytelling that fuels your creativity or influences how you approach your work?
DJ Rossstar: My wife deserves all the credit for the life I have outside of work. Before I met her, I was always working, doing interviews, or constantly out and about. Because of her, I’ve learned to slow down and actually live a fuller life. Now, you can find me cooking, exercising, reading, and so much more.
Amit Ahuja: Given how closely creativity and emotion are often tied together, I’d love to hear your perspective on the relationship between creativity and mental health—especially after years of speaking with artists. How have you personally navigated that balance in your own life, and what have you learned about sustaining both passion and well-being over time?
DJ Rossstar: I have a full-time career aside from doing my interviews. It’s nice to have that stability, but it definitely doesn’t feed my creativity. For me, a great interview does more for my mental health than a paycheck ever could. That’s why I always encourage my friends to find something creative they’re passionate about and make time for it.
Amit Ahuja: After hundreds—maybe thousands—of conversations, how do you keep that sense of curiosity alive? How do you make each interview feel fresh and meaningful, even when the process could start to blur together?
DJ Rossstar: I try to find something the guest and I relate to and go from there. Sometimes they just want to keep it simple and answer the questions with quick responses, and I have to accept that, but the fun interviews that turn into something unique and memorable are what keep me craving more.
DJ Rossstar: When you take a step back and look at everything you’ve seen, heard, and captured through your interviews over the years—the moments, the conversations, the stories—what does this journey really mean to you now, both on a personal level and in terms of the artists whose voices you’ve helped share? And do you ever think about the kind of impact those conversations might have had, whether on the artists themselves or on the people who’ve connected with them through your work?
DJ Rossstar: Nothing brings me more joy than talking with people throughout the years that have enjoyed my interviews. I have been able to connect fans with their favorite artists and have their questions asked and answered for over 20+ years before anyone else was doing it. A lot of the artists have stayed in touch with me throughout this journey, and many still cite an interview with me as one of their first big career moments.
Amit Ahuja: And finally, as we come to the end of this conversation, what would you want to leave readers with—and anyone out there chasing something they care deeply about? Is there a message or reflection that feels especially important to share right now?
DJ Rossstar: If you have an idea, no matter how crazy it might sound to other people, do it. It may not become a success overnight, or ever for that matter, but if it makes you happy, it will be worth it.
Live With DJ Rossstar airs twice a week on Instagram Live. Follow @djrossstar for interview days/times and to watch past interviews!
Amit Ahuja: Thanks to DJ Rossstar for sharing your story with us today.
Katy Perry & DJ Rossstar
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***Photographs and videos are the property of DJ Rossstar.***
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