Kaskade a nice guy as well as big-time DJ

Just as in any profession, the DJ scene has its share of nice guys and jerks. I'd be glad to tell you which ones are grumpy alcoholics. But not today. Today, let's talk to Mr. Nice Guy, Kaskade.

Real name: Ryan Raddon, spinning Saturday at Marquee at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

I ask Kaskade: Is it important to him to be known as Mr. Nice Guy?

"That's a good thing," he says, smiling. "Yeah, it's not something at the front of my mind. Music is always at the front of my mind.

"I try to be professional, responsible. It's cool the people I do business with recognize that."

Next question: You, Deadmau5 and Skrillex are the biggest names among DJ-producers, especially in Vegas. Is that a lot to carry on your shoulders?

"I'll take it. I've always believed in Vegas. I've been coming here for 10 years. I always believed it could be something more than what it was.

"I've been coming here since Ice (the nightclub) was the jam. I was like: 'Look, these guys are doing it. They're programming the club right. And it's working.'

"It was much more of a hip-hop town back then. But they were the first guys to do it right.

"Then Paul Oakenfold came in" for a residency at the Palms' Rain nightclub three years ago, he says. "He came in and proved to everyone it was possible.

"It gave me a leg to stand on with the guys at Wynn when I said, 'I want to be here all summer long' " at Encore Beach Club.

Kaskade has been a resident at Encore Beach Club, as well as Marquee. After Saturday's gig, his next Vegas visit will be New Year's Eve at Marquee.

CLUB FORECAST

TODAY: Skrillex at Surrender. Gareth Emery and Blake Jarell at Marquee. EC Twins at Tao. Actress Jenny McCarthy at Chateau at Paris.

SATURDAY: Kaskade at Marquee. Chris Lake Saturday at XS. Actor Jesse Metcalfe at Vanity. Entertainer Angel Porrino at Crazy Horse III.

SUNDAY: Funkagenda at XS.

MONDAY: Lema at Marquee, with free admission with local ID. Alesso at XS.

TUESDAY: Morgan Page at Moon at Palms.

WEDNESDAY: Roxy Cottontail at ghostbar.

Doug Elfman's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Email him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.