UNC student DJ 'good ratio' will open for Diplo on Oct. 6

Trevor Dougherty is a self-described “electro-beat farmer” — and harvest time is coming.

Dougherty is the resident disc jockey at Pulse Nightclub on Rosemary Street. He’s also a sophomore communications major at UNC.

Better known by his stage name, “good ratio,” Dougherty has achieved much success in the Chapel Hill area as a club DJ and electronic dance music performer.

“A good DJ’s job is to set the mood,” he said.

“My job as a club DJ is to play what people want to hear and to keep people dancing.”

Dougherty is slated to perform several high-profile events this fall, including opening for Diplo, an electronic DJ and producer, in Memorial Hall on Oct. 6.

Carolina Union Activities Board, the group responsible for organizing the concert, announced Wednesday that Dougherty will open for Diplo, who has worked with artists like M.I.A., Beyonce and Usher.

Dougherty found out Tuesday.

“I can’t even breathe,” he said. “Diplo is great — he’s like a god to me.”

Dougherty landed his first gig as a freshman at the Thrill at Hector’s, another Chapel Hill nightclub. It was not until networking with Pulse that he was able to land his first residency this year.

Dougherty said the job is difficult to juggle with schoolwork, but it is more than worthwhile.

“I’m constantly trying to stay on top of the (music) charts. I need to know what’s good and what’s new for my sets.”

Marquis Clark, a security guard and VIP liaison at Pulse, said he is impressed with the work Dougherty does for the club.

“He brings a really great personality to shows, and he’s one of the most diverse DJs we have here,” Clark said.

“Other DJs don’t bring the variety that he does. He can go from hip-hop, to rap, to house, to dubstep.”

Dougherty attributes much of his success with gigs to social networking.

“I actually got in touch with the owner of Pulse through Facebook,” he said. “It’s the only way to connect with people now.”

When networking fails, Dougherty relies on his manager Jared Beckham — also a UNC student — to help book shows.

“He could probably manage himself,” Beckham said. “He’s got good business sense, but he asked me to manage him, and it makes it all the more official.”

While working and juggling schoolwork, Dougherty still finds time to plan for his future career.

“I’m constantly working on original stuff and slipping that into my setlist,” he said.

“The main goal is to get out of clubs, and onto tours.”

Contact the desk editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.