SEATTLE — Whether it’s a current hit or a classic that has everyone singing along a lot of the music radiating throughout the deep during home games comes from the creative mind of David Hatch.
"I got started from my friend named Brian," Hatch said. "Brian was kind of one of those guys that just like, always tried to find something new and he came home with the turntable and we just started practicing and scratching a little bit like that. And then we watched the movie Juice with Tupac and learned how to scratch and stuff and then took it from there.”
Fast forward 14 years and Hatch, who goes by "DJ Cide," is mixing for the Kraken.
The local DJ from Bainbridge Island serves as a sort of wizard of music at the arena. He’s in charge of the songs that go with plays and keeping up the energy whenever the puck is not in play.
"We have a lot of songs that accompany a power play or a penalty kill or even an icing call, you know, but outside of that, the game is so fluid, the game is just always changing that it calls for different music every game," Hatch said.
DJ Cide is a huge part of what makes watching a game in person unique.
“We have lots of opportunities to like what people might not see on TV when they're in the arena is all of the music that's played during the time outs," Hatch said.
The music selections during the player warm-ups ups are curated by Hatch, with player requests mixed in. He pulls a lot of inspiration for his playlists from the fans covering a multitude of genres.
“I think a lot of like the seventies and eighties sing-alongs worked really, really well," Hatch said. "I mean, friends in low places. We played that a lot in year two and three. Everybody sang along. but I think that I would say a big seventies and eighties hit or eighties hit or like a metal song, like, you know, fueled by Metallica or Sandman is always gonna get a crowd reaction."
Putting the show together is a group effort from the whole production crew. They collaborate on what songs to play and which guest DJs and bands perform every game.
With the ultimate goal of creating the best show possible for fans.
“The nice thing about this role and the team is that we're not afraid to just always try new things," Hatch said.
On top of the songs you hear, DJ Cide is also responsible for sound effects like the ones you hear when the Kraken score.
"All those octaves and sounds that you hear are coming from over here," Hatch said. "So like that those are actually Nirvana. It smells like teen spirit, but it's the octave of the song.”
Hockey has a lot of traditions but since the Kraken are only in their fourth season traditions are still being cemented.
“One of my biggest goals is to really lock in some musical traditions with our fans," Hatch said. "The mariners have had them. The Seahawks have them. We're a new team. We have traditions but I wanna get some more.”