Bjorn Coker is a maintenance man by day and a “selector” by night.
Also known as DJ Uplifter, Coker is one of the few local night-life personalities to consistently promote reggae, no matter how niche its fan base. Besides the DJ’s current gig at Kazmo’s every other Saturday night, Uplifter will join Irie Stillin opening for Steel Pulse at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom on June 25.
We caught up with the DJ to chat about his longstanding reggae-music love affair.
Q: Reggae in Colorado: Easy-as-pie or salt in your coffee?
A: Reggae in Colorado is interesting. On the one hand you have communities like Boulder, Fort Collins and the various mountain towns that greatly appreciate the positive messages in reggae. There are promoters and venues in these towns that want to be supportive of both artists and DJs.
Then there’s Denver. The only reggae that seems to get any attention in Denver is dancehall. And very little attention at that. Clubs are not willing to take any chances on music they deem “different,” and the concert venues could certainly book more reggae acts. I have not seen any reggae shows in Denver for the past three years. They simply haven’t been happening. Reggae is big business around the world. It could be big business in Denver too. But for that to happen promoters, club owners and booking agents need to welcome reggae and its fans.
Q: We hear you’re from N’awlins. Any voodoo in the family?
A: Voodoo, no. Superstitions, yes. I am quite the superstitious fellow. I must drink Odwalla Superfood before every gig. And if I don’t wash my hands before I play, the show usually ends up going badly. … Salt over the shoulder and all that stuff. I kind of wish I was into voodoo, though. Who couldn’t use a few voodoo dolls to help them out of sticky situations, if you know what I mean?
Q: Arm-wrestling bout between Bob Marley and Elvis Presley: Who would your money be on?
A: It depends on whether we’re talking early career Marley vs. Presley or late career? A young Bob Marley would have kicked the “blue suede shoes” off of Elvis. Marley was just so athletic and fit in his youth. Even in a late-career bout, Bob would have blown some ganja smoke in Presley’s face and it would have been over.
Staff writer Elana Ashanti Jefferson can be reached at 303-820-1957 or ejefferson@denverpost.com.
