Data Breaker

WD4D (aka Seattle denizen Waylon Dungan) possesses a
musical moniker that could be straight out of the IRS or an auto-shop
inventory list—while looking like the guy who does your taxes or
checks your oil. But in actuality, he takes an accountant’s obsessive
attention to detail and applies it to producing and DJing. His staunch
work ethic has led to WD4D building a formidable discography and a
hectic slate of radio, club, and studio gigs. Most recently, this
columnist was surprised—but really shouldn’t have been—to
see WD superbly manning the decks for Gabriel Teodros during the
local MC’s set opening for K’naan before a packed Neumos.

Such a high-profile showcase is deserved. WD has been making tracks
and spinning wax for over 12 years, and the roll call of artists with
whom he’s shared stages includes GZA, KRS-One, the Coup, Bus Driver,
and Oh No, as well as 206 luminaries like Blue Scholars and Common
Market. In addition, WD has laced tracks for Awol and Existereo of the
Shape Shifters, Xololanxinxo, Bukue One, and many others. On top of
this, WD hosts KBCS’s Saturday night (10 pm–midnight, 91.3 FM)
Zulu Radio program with Sean Malik and Zulu King Khazm.
Finally, WD4D’s cherubic visage can also be spotted in deep
concentration behind the decks on Fridays at Grey Gallery & Lounge
with DJ Vital (for a night called Grey Area); WD’s also in the
jock rotation with SunTzu Sound’s DJs for that same bar’s
soul/jazz-oriented Blueprint on Thursdays. And his agenda
includes a residency at Lo-Fi Performance Gallery’s Tuesday night
hiphop hoedown Stop Biting.

WD4D’s 2005 debut album, Some Assembly
Required, reveals his left-field sensibilities. While the disc
boasts plenty of cuts with tight underground rappers on them (see the
above-mentioned artists), WD’s sampledelic music distinguishes itself
as a fresh, skewed blend of funk and jazz. You can nod your head to
these jams, but you’ll probably need a chiropractor later. “Walking
Time Bombs” is a great case in point. Behind Maleko’s quirky, Slick
Rick–like delivery, WD drops unpredictable, staccato blaps while
filling the stereo field with flaring, Qbert-esque scratches and
bizarre loops of a female voice smeared into an alien mating call.

WD has been productive since then, broadening his sonic palette and
getting more bold with his beats and melodies as he readies his next
all-instrumental full-length, with a digital-only EP expected to see
daylight even sooner. Monitor www.myspace.com/wd4d for further
developments—and check out several WD4D free mixtapes while
you’re there.