Rolling Stone calls him a “scenemaker,” but I like to call him my “Diggie.” Actually diggie came from a gchat typo, but it’s too funny not to keep it going.

Mario Orduno, a San Diego native, is no stranger to the neighborhood. You may have caught him at one of his DJ nights, booked a show through him, or maybe just seen him around town with his “doggies” (his closest of friends), but if you have had the privilege to hang with Mario you know that he is pretty damn hilarious.

Mario joined Commune in the fight against Big Industry and DJed at our June Commune event. I met up with Mario to get the scoop on some of the projects he has going on and to find out if there was anything cool we should be keeping our eyes out for.

So, what exactly is Art Fag Recordings and how did you come up with the name?

It’s a label with an awful name that releases underground music on vinyl and cassettes.

Have you thought about changing the name?

A couple times, but it’s too late. Some people tell me how much they like it and I just don’t understand. It makes me cringe.

How long ago did you start the label and do you work alone?

The label started in 2005 and yes, I’ve always done it alone.

Who are some of the bands we can look out for on your label?

The bands I’ve released include Kill Me Tomorrow, The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower, The Prayers, those were the first. They are all from San Diego. Since then I’ve focused on more music from other places. My newest lp release is a project called Ye Olde Maids which is Wesley Eisold (Cold Cave) from Philadelphia. The next bands/projects I’m releasing are Dum Dum Girls (LA), Crocodiles (SD), PENS (UK), Grafitti Island (UK) Internet Forever (UK) and Best Coast (LA).

You seem like a pretty busy fellow, what other projects are you involved in?

Well, I book a lot of shows. Between three and five a month. In addition to the weekly nights I do.

How about a little self-promotion… what and where are your DJ nights?

I have two weeklys. Too Many Creeps at The Whistle Stop on Sundays and Expressway To Yr Skull at Soda Bar on Thursdays. Both are with Brandon and Chuck who play in a band called Crocodiles. Dimitri Dickinson (Booty Bassment) joins us on Thursdays.

Do most people know how hilarious you are?

No.

Do you have any funny stories to share?

Not really, my life’s pretty boring.

Anything else you want people to know about you?

Nah, I’d rather people know less.

Mario cracks me up and I am sure that if you have had the chance to hang with him he has most likely cracked you up too. If you haven’t had the chance to catch Mario live be sure to check him out Thursdays at the Soda Bar and/or Sundays at the Whistlestop.