[media-credit name=”Roosevelet Palafox/Staff” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]Zachary Cuddy spins stories of human history by day and spins turntables by night. His students give him high marks for both. Donning his evening nom de spin of Zachary Noah, the Southwestern College history adjunct squeezes in at least one club set a week to perform at a DiscoPunk event at AC Lounge. His love for trance and San Francisco House music brings a chill to the mellow room. Cuddy’s funk rhythms and jazzy melodies provide a soulful atmosphere for a party without the frantic of a club downtown.

“Back in the day when I was a youngster I listened to Metallica,” he said.

“I was into hard rock and Led Zeppelin and heavy metal.”

Cuddy said he collects vintage records and has an extensive collection.

“I learned on vinyl,” he said. “A lot of the DJs now, mix just by looking at the computer and you don’t really have to work.”

In college Cuddy floated from drama to film and was an undergrad in journalism before figuring out that becoming a teacher suited him best. He has been teaching at SWC for three years at the main campus and the National City Higher Education Center.

“He’s very level-headed and easy to talk to, I like his enthusiasm,” said Sergio Rodriguez, 22, chemistry major.

Cuddy likes the nightlife in North Park, particularly the AC Lounge, but he does not stay out until last call. He said he performs a set to unwind. During a recent gig at the renovated West Coast Tavern he spun a variety of house and contemporary hip-hop instrumentals while the bartenders served wine and other spirits for the diners. Joe McDonald, one of the tattooed and pierced bartenders who has worked at the establishment since it opened, said Cuddy had the right tempos to bring a warm feeling.

“I’m digging everything he’s doing,” said McDonald. “He’s putting together some ideal music we’re looking for to get people in the door.”

Oil candles in glass jars illuminated the dim setting as trumpet solos and saxophone phrases pleased the crowd on a Wednesday night. His friends and some of his students attended the show.

“He’s really covert about it, he’s not the typical DJ,” said Rodriguez.

Cuddy said he is not the type to go too crazy, jump up and down, and scream on the microphone, which Rodriguez said is typical of the “weird” DJs at raves and clubs.

“I try to let the music speak for itself,” said Cuddy.

His dynamic range of musical genres balances him out as a DJ, Cuddy said. Now his recreational hobby has brought out a unique blend of songs on his demo album, “From Vegas to Nowhere,” and online at House-mixes.com. His personal website, DjZacharyNoah.com, allows people to hear his mixes and to get in touch with the DJ for future events.