thePULSELocal DJs Rock The House
By Nicole Steina
As a longtime promoter in Worcester, I have been happily up to my neck in the DJ/Nightclub scene for about 10 yrs now. So when I was asked to write a piece on DJs, I couldn’t say yes fast enough. I have long had a love affair with the scene (and as a few of you know, I’ve even tapped into it as a dating pool from time to time!) and have incredible respect for the skill and concentration a true DJ needs to mix well, control the crowd, feel their vibe and keep their attention. It is an art.
I thought long and hard about how to narrow down all the amazing DJs in the city to a list of just 4. I wanted to make the list eclectic, so here are the 4 guys I carefully handpicked for you ~ enjoy!
DJ Patrick Allen has been tearing up the tables for about 3 years now and has acquired a huge following in such a short time. His mix of sex appeal and off the hook spinning make him a double threat. Here is what he had to say when we sat down to chat.
What first turned you on to the idea of getting behind the tables?
As soon as I turned 18, I couldn’t get enough of the clubs. I was going out almost every night of the week, all over New England. I was like a sponge, just soaking up the culture and everything that made up the club scene. Hearing so many different DJs spin gave me a good idea of just exactly what a DJ was capable of and got me thinking about what more they could be doing. After my constant commentary, it finally came down to one person saying, “If you think you can do it better, why don’t you give it a shot?”
How would you describe your style?
It’s very eclectic. I’ve always said, “What other DJ will spin the B-52s’ Love Shack into Nelly Furtado’s Maneater?” I like getting thematic with my music, with multiple themes, so my sets are very diverse. Some nights start with disco, lead into house, and end with reggaeton, while others begin with old school hip hop leading into brand new hip hop and end with house. You can expect the unexpected.
Tell us your story…have you always loved house music and/or always been musically inclined?
I’ve always had such a love affair with music. This reminds me of the movie “Brown Sugar” when Syd starts her interviews with, “So, when did you fall in love with hip hop?” The way that the movie depicted the larger being that the music genre was, it was a dead-on portrayal of how I feel about music. It so easily defines every point in my life. Highs, lows, and everything in between, they all have music, certain songs that go right along with that memory. It’s so much more than a melody over a beat. The music becomes so incredibly influential, and that is why my passion pours so freely when I spin. It’s no longer just a needle dragging on a spinning record, but a story is being told.
Where do you hope your DJ career takes you in the next few years?
I can’t wait to get to New York City and bring my flavor to the table. New York’s always ready for what’s new in music. I look forward to the chance to play a role in the future of music and to do it for such an open-minded audience. Yet, locally, I love the idea of spinning for different audiences, different demographics, so I’d love to venture out with some guest spots in the area.
Patrick Allen is at BLU Ultralounge & Nightclub on Water Street in Worcester on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and is hoping to finalize some guest spots and begin touring New England.
Check out Blu Ultralounge and Nightclub at www.Blu-Nightclub.com
Visit Patrick Allen’s Myspace page at www.myspace.com/djpatrickallen
Join his fanclub at groups.myspace.com/djpatrickallenfanclub
DJ McCrea has been mesmerizing crowds in some of the hottest and largest clubs around for about 10 years now. After giving up a scholarship to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, and putting his 15 years of guitar playing on hold, he was bitten by the DJing bug and never looked back. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Kevin and find out what made him fall in love with spinning records.
What first turned you on to the idea of getting behind the tables?
Going to my first real house music club in Boston (The Roxy) and watching how the DJ could control the vibe of the entire club. It was awe-inspiring.
How would you describe your style?
Progressive house with funky groovy bass lines.
What DJs inspire or influence you?
One of my main influences is actually a local Boston DJ named DJ Adilson, but some others are Danny Tenaglia, Peter Rauhofer, Victor Calderone and Peter Bailey.
Where have you spun over the years? Brag a little!
I spun at the Winter Music Conference in Miami this past year, I have also spun at Venu, Umbria, Underbar, Matrix, and Rise in Boston and Pearl, Ultra and Therapy in RI. I also have a weekly radio show every Saturday night on Techno.fm.
Name your 5 all time favorite songs to spin.
David Guetta – The World is Mine, Luz Divinia – In Your Eyes, Plasmic Honey – Ride the Trip, Rui da Silva – Touch Me, Sylver – All This Time
If you could chose one venue to spin in…where would it be and why?
Definitely Club Space in Miami. When you are invited to spin at Space, you know you are on your way to a great career in DJing. Every successful DJ has graced the decks at Space at one point in their career. And if anyone who has some connections is reading this article, give me a call! I am available!
Who taught you how to spin?
Actually, I am self taught. Since I already had a background in music, it was almost second nature for me. Matching the beats was the toughest part. It took me a while to get that down. Once a DJ gets the beat matching down, you then have to start to familiarize yourself with your songs, inside and out, so that way you can start getting creative on different ways to mix in and out of songs. The key is to have it seem like a seamless transition from song to song.
What would you tell someone just starting out…words of advice?
Ask questions!!! Find a DJ you look up to who is local and is well established and pick his or her brain. The best lessons I have learned were when I asked questions. Watch how they mix, listen to their track selections, watch how the crowd reacts to certain songs they play and lastly, practice!!! Every time I spin, even when I am practicing at home, I record myself so I can then listen to the playback and critique what I just spun. It’s a great way to fine tune your skills.
Future plans?
I am currently looking for a residency and have a couple of places in my sights.
Check out DJ McCrea’s Myspace page: www.myspace.com/djmccrea
Or visit his website: www.djmccrea.com
Photo credit: Christopher Milot
DJ One 3 got his start on the scene about 7 years (and tells us he has no intention of stopping ~ he figures he’ll be throwing amazing parties at his retirement home someday!). When I got a chance to talk to Angelo about his style of spinning and his inspirations and passion, I was both enthralled with and entertained by his responses. DJ One 3 mixes a blend of house, tribal and mashups for a sound that’s all his own.
Give us a few words to describe your style.
I would have to say my style is a FEEL GOOD type of dance style. I always try to wow a crowd with hot beats and tracks. I love tribal tracks and vocal is key to spinning a good night.
What DJs inspire you and who’d you like to open for if you could?
Some of the DJs I have looked up to are Roger Sanchez, Bad Boy Bill, Bob Sinclair, Starkillers, Victor Calderone and others. There are so many people in the industry who have special talents. Big shout out to my boys DJ HOOD-E and DJ Xkaliber!!!!!! If I could open for anyone my first pick would be Roger Sanchez. The style and energy that he brings to the crowd is crazy. When I saw him in Miami this past year it was off the chain.
Tell us your story…have you always loved house music and/or always been musically inclined?
I absolutely love House Music. I fell in love with it back when I was about 10 years old. Herbie Hancock come out with Rockit and everyone in my neighborhood just got into break dancing. The vibe was crazy and from there on out I never left it alone.
So where have you been spinning over the years?
Places that I have spun at include Level, Raw, Club Red1888\Blu, Seven Lounge, and Zero Lounge, all in Worcester. Plus I do Pearl Lounge in RI and various underground house parties and events.
Where can we hear and see you now?
At the moment I am spinning on Saturday nights at Red1888/Blu in Worcester upstairs in the BLU room where you can everything from old school hip-hop to mashups to the best in house. On Thursdays I’m at BarNone for the Grown and Sexy!!! Come on out and visit!!!!!!!!!
Some people in the industry feel that DJs who spin with CDs aren’t real DJs. Thoughts?
Vinyl or CDs? Oh boy, here we go!!!!! Ah, vinyl, how I love it so. The sound vinyl produces is so clean and rich you can’t really beat it. The problem is that it’s getting way too expensive to buy and find lately. There are of course online record shops and such but the price is way out of reach to obtain everything you want all the time. With the creation of the new table top CD players like Pioneer CDJs, the gap has been broken in my eyes. These devices allow the DJ to still touch the music in a way that produces a great set. Also software like Serato or Final Scratch, where DJs use their laptops and turntables to spin, is really awesome stuff! All I can say is I love vinyl and it’s what I used to start DJing, but CDs and mp3s are so much more convenient. No matter what you use, just make sure you are rocking the tables and having a kick ass time.
DJ Xkaliber has had a love affair with djing since he was a kid. Following in his dad’s footsteps he longed for the days that he could get behind the turntables and entertain the crowds like his dad had done. From the age of 18 on he has found himself walking in dear old dad’s shoes and loving every minute of it!
What first turned you on to the idea of getting behind the tables?
Well, my dad was a DJ in clubs in Worcester and Boston for years before I born, spinning all pretty much anything people would dance to. When I was 12 I used to sneak in to his equipment and try to mix. Thats where it started. I had been brought up around big sound systems and lights so there never really was any decision to get into DJing, it just kind of happened.
How would you describe your style?
One word: Versatile. I try to bring as many different styles and formats to my set as possible. If done correctly, this keeps both the crowd and the management happy by keeping the right crowd and energy in the building.
What DJs inspire or influence you?
Well, the first one to influence me was my father. Certain aspects of DJing are consistent through all genres and ages of music. Having a strategy on exactly what environment you want to create is very important. He taught me that. Beyond that, my musical stylings are influenced by DJ AM, Dennis Blaze, Funkmaster Flex, Q-Bert and DJ One-3. These DJs all play completely different styles, but together form the various aspects of my sets.
Tell us your story…have you always loved house music and/or always been musically inclined?
I have always loved music. I would say that my short career as a percussionist in my middle school band played a huge role in my musical development. I was raised in a family that took great interest in live theatre. As a result there was a lot of attention paid to Broadway musicals and big band standards. In the begining of high school I listened to everyting from Biggie to Korn and Rage Against the Machine. I taught myself how to scratch by listening to Funkmaster Flex mixtapes and trying to imitate the sounds. Later I began to hang out with other DJs such as DJ Funkshun and Jay Wonder. This is where I learned alot about different kinds of hip hop and reggae that I was not hearing on the radio. When I was 18 I got really involved in spinning reggae and began to play with Jay Wonder at certain reggae venues around the city. That was a subculture that I never even knew existed in Worcester. All of these experiences and different groups of friends led me to play whatever I thought was hot, weather it was Rock, Hip Hop, House or Reggae.
Where has your spinning career taken you over the years?
Mulligans, Lietrims, 371 Club, The Source, Club Royale, Club Marquee, Lucky Dog, Suney’s, Ripley’s, Kurve, RAW, The Palladium, Level, The Wine Cellar (Fitchburg), Third Base (Fitchburg), Tammany Hall, Red, Blue, Level Two (Providence), Arkadia (New Britain, CT), Seven lounge, Bar None. I know I’m forgetting some but that’s what I can think of off the top of my head. As for national acts and events, I have opened for or worked with: Lil Flip (Girls Gone Wild), Trey Songz, Sinbad, Hootie and the Blowfish, and Locobazooka. I have done countless events and games at colleges like Worcester State, Holy Cross, Fitchburg State, Assumption College, Anna Maria, BC, Northeastern, and again a few others that I know I’m forgetting. I DJed the first event in the new Worcester Convention Center and I’ve done corporate events for companies including Nike, Express and KB Toys across the country.
Do lots of ladies come on to you when you’re working?
I have always been more interested in the music and getting the crowd fired up than anything else.
Where can we hear or see you now?
I currently play college night Thursdays at Red which, during the school year, is at capacity by 11pm with Assumption and Holy Cross students. Fridays I play at Seven Lounge and Saturdays are a mixed bag ~ I’m at Red, Seven, or Bar None, depending.
