Much like scanning the radio, a DJ's set list may lean more toward top 40 or lie in its origins of the electro/dance genre.

"It's been such a struggle to be accepted," Timothy Weiner, or rather DJ Timmy, said. "Salem's m.o. seems to be that it's quite content to remain being a small city, even though it's actually quite big."

Like many DJ's, his repertoire consists of house music, which he explained Salem residents don't quite seem to grasp.

House, a mainstays of many DJ's, originated in the Windy City.

"I was raised on the reggae scene and my music pulls from the Chicago based style of the late 70's and early 80's which has a jazz, soulful influence," he said.

Though live jazz may have been traded in at most clubs for a DJ who spins records, creating mixes on turntables itself dates back to DJ Francis Grasso in the late 1960's.

Growing up in Dallas, the then 15-year-old Timmy used to sneak into dance clubs and listen to bands like Depeche Mode.

Weiner later moved to San Diego and lived there for 10 years before relocating to Oregon two years ago to return to his passion and DJ full time.

"I've been doing this a long, long time," DJ Timmy said. "Here, the reggae scene is pretty big. I play a lot of outdoor shows and regular gigs."

That is, in Portland. This was the case, at least, until the Emerge art show founder Jonathan Boys approached him with an offer.

"He told me that in Cincinnati, where he's from, there would be DJ's playing at show openings, so he invited me to do that here," DJ Timmy said.

The Emerge shows draws anywhere from 200-300 people through the doors of Coffee House Cafe and the art lined walls aren't the only attention grabbers.

"I didn't do Salem until then," DJ Timmy said. "It's just nice to be noticed."

Now other local business owners, such as Dino and Leslie Venti, are serving notice. They have invited DJ Timmy and some other local talent to play Saturday night gigs in their restaurant's basement from 10 p.m. until closing.

Sometimes DJ Timmy invites friends along, too. He generally plays with DJ's Jimmy Z, Ren, and Dextro.

"I've played with just about everybody in the area, we have similar styles and taste," DJ Timmy said.

Music spun by DJ's in clubs often influence music production, especially in the dance and hip hop genres. It remains to be seen, of course, if such a statement can be made about Salem.

"A lot of the [original] music found I've found here is metal and grunge," DJ Timmy said. "There's not really a lot of talent, that I know of. Music pulls me more toward Portland."

One Salem band has found a fan in this DJ, however: The Gusto Bros.

"I'd like to hear more of them," he said of the blues infused rock band.