The Men of Misfits series by MISFITS LOS ANGELES spotlights male creatives in L.A. and beyond who have shown genuine support for female peers in their industries and demonstrated respect for women’s contributions to the arts and entertainment.
For Insomniac Radio host Connor “LUMBERJVCK” Schatzel, masculine and feminine worlds have never been far apart—more like a few vogues away. Living in Arcadia with his girlfriend and day-to-day manager Mikayla, Schatzel has built a reputation in the dubstep scene for balancing bass-laden power with an unexpected sense of play. One example? He’s an unabashed fan of voguing—ballroom dance culture rooted in Black queer communities.
“One of my biggest ‘unexpected’ interests is ballroom—not Cinderella ballroom, but Black, queer, voguing culture. Dance battles, high energy, creative expression—think RuPaul’s Drag Race, or the show Legendary,” Schatzel told MISFITS LA.
Asked how that coincides with his identity in a genre often known for grit and hyper-masculinity, he added:
“From the outside, people see a straight white dude—they don’t know my background or passions. Sometimes I wonder if I ‘belong’ in those spaces, especially since ballroom is primarily rooted in African-American and LGBTQ culture.”
Native to greater L.A., one of the most diverse cities in the world, Schatzel is no stranger to navigating between cultural worlds while keeping a strong sense of personal identity intact. When asked why he’s so comfortable revealing his more “feminine” interests despite identifying as a straight man, he replied:
“Honestly, I’m a pretty emotional person. That’s part of the feminine side of me too—I’m sensitive, caring, and open, especially when the timing feels right. I’ve been in therapy for seven years, so I know my feelings and how to express them. Vulnerability doesn’t scare me, because it’s my truth.”
That blend of self-awareness and individuality carries into his approach to music. With releases on high-profile bass labels including Deadbeats, Disciple, Rottun Recordings, Buygore, Bassrush, and Insomniac Records, Schatzel is no stranger to success in both the studio and onstage.
Breaking the Bro Mold
Still, he’s charting a new lane for himself in dubstep—a lane he says bridges the genre’s current divide between “dark” and “chill.”
“Dubstep right now tends to be either extremely heavy or super chill. I’m trying to carve out a lane where the music still hits, but appeals to a wider audience.”
He’s drawn to the opposite of EDM’s “bros only” spaces.
“I like making it cool, fierce, and competitive without it being so aggressively masculine. There’s something special about bringing the party vibe back into the genre. It’s about staying in that lane and being consistent.”
From Dubstep to “Momstep”
True to his taste for the unexpected, Schatzel has been remixing hits from iconic female artists—songs with a universally uplifting, almost motherly energy. He’s dubbed this imagined subgenre “momstep.”
His “momstep” remixes include Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten and Stevie Nicks’ Edge of Seventeen—and one of them caught Bedingfield’s attention.
“The first time I interacted with Natasha was in an Instagram comment. She was with a DJ who was playing a different remix of Unwritten, and I commented, ‘Oh, I thought this was my remix at first.’ She replied, ‘It wasn’t, but I should have played yours.’ That confirmed she’d heard it. Then she said we should meet up and play it somewhere.”
A few weeks later, her team reached out.
“If I were playing an Insomniac festival at 10 PM on a major stage, I’d absolutely bring her out. That could still happen—and it would be insane.”
Inspired by His Mom
It’s not surprising that “momstep” has roots in Schatzel’s personal life.
“My mom was adopted, so she only has one living family member she knows is blood-related. She was raised by her adoptive family—her real family in every way—but that bond with her one known relative has always been significant for her. We’ve always had a really close relationship.”
Concerts were a shared ritual.
“My parents took me to shows since I was four or five—Earth, Wind & Fire, The Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Santana. My mom was always right there with my dad. She’s been my biggest influence.”
He credits her with his emotional openness, too.
“I’m a pretty emotional person. I’ve been in therapy for seven years, so I know my feelings and how to express them. My mom’s the same way—sensitive and open. I’d rather overshare and be authentic than hold back.”
Partner in Life and Work
Mikayla, his girlfriend and part of his management team, is equally central to his story.
“She helps me stay organized, manage my time, and keep everything moving when life gets chaotic. My mom inspired me in my childhood, and Mikayla helps me keep my shit together now.”
On Misogyny in EDM
Schatzel doesn’t hide his frustration with the way female DJs are talked about behind the scenes.
“The most common thing I hear is, ‘They don’t produce their own music.’ That’s a huge generalization. I’ve worked with incredibly talented women who do—some are as good or better than their male peers.”
He points out the double standard:
“Men use ghost producers too, but no one questions them. Because there are fewer women, the scrutiny is harsher.”
Even when a woman doesn’t produce her own tracks, Schatzel doesn’t see it as disqualifying.
“If someone’s brand is ‘DJ’ and they pay someone to make their tracks, that’s their business. People buy tickets for a reason—they’re there for the experience.”
As a commentator and attendee at HARD Summer earlier this month, Schatzel saw one of his current favorite DJs, Sara Landry, in action—another example of his commitment to giving credit where it’s due.
“Her set at HARD Summer the other night was incredible. As far as I know, she makes all her own music, but even if she didn’t, she’s a killer DJ who commands the decks. That’s talent. Yet she’s exactly the type of artist some people would nitpick to death just to avoid admitting she’s great.”
Women Supporting Women
He’s also observed the rise of female collectives in EDM—something he supports with one caveat.
“I love seeing women create safer spaces and opportunities. The only caution is that gender isn’t a monolith—just because two people are women doesn’t mean they’ll click personally. These groups should avoid becoming cliques that unintentionally alienate other women.”
Curating With Care
As host of IMPACT on Insomniac Radio, Schatzel makes diversity a conscious part of his programming.
“I make a point to represent women and non-male artists where it makes sense. But I’m also against pity slots—every woman I know wants equality, not charity. Gender is one factor I consider, but I choose tracks because I genuinely like them.”
Love–Hate with L.A.
Growing up in Pasadena and now living in Arcadia, Schatzel knows L.A. well.
“One of the best things about L.A. is its versatility. You can snowboard in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon. There are so many different ‘versions’ of the city.”
Old Town Pasadena holds a special nostalgia for him:
“I grew up going there—it’s got bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and just good energy.”
What’s Next
Expect more tour dates—and more “momstep.”
“A lot’s in the works, even if I can’t share specifics yet.”
Follow LUMBERJVCK on Instagram @lumberjvck.
Catch LUMBERJVCK on IMPACT on Insomniac Radio Sundays 5pm-9pm PT — tune in here.
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