This DJ has an equally cool day job

By day, Minneapolis native Drew Erickson works as a charter pilot. At night, he spins under the name DJ LAST WORD.

Erickson started flying at the age of 17 and also taught himself to DJ from a young age. Since then, he has gained a following spinning for Brother Ali, Mally Get Cryphy and others.

The two jobs are very different — flying has a very regimented schedule and structure, while the DJ environment is “just one big party,” he said. But certain skills are necessary for both jobs, such as having an acute awareness of your surroundings.

People from both the pilot and DJ worlds are surprised to learn of his second profession, Erickson said. “I try to keep them as separate as I can, but it doesn’t always work out like that,” he said.

Video produced and edited by Maria Bartholdi. Local Beat is an ongoing series on Art Beat that features arts and culture stories from PBS member stations around the nation.