DJ

Can you tell us about some of the parties/venues that shaped you as an artist and a performer?

Diego Camejo: The first venue I started DJing at consistently was Mokai. Being the resident here has taught me so much. Because it is a small boutique club, it is naturally a very intimate setting. It is a venue where people are not necessarily going to focus on the DJs performance; they’re their to have a good time, which makes it more difficult as a DJ to craft a set that gets people’s attention.

DJ Hesta Prynn has taken the world by storm - first as a member of all girl hip-hop group Northern State and now as a solo DJ. But that's not all there is to this fiesty female. She was also the face of Daryl K's Spring 2011 collection, she hosts a show for The Logo Channel, and even has her own column for Paper, called '5 n 5.' She has worked with some of the biggest names in the music biz, such as Questlove, Cypress Hill, and has opened for Fabolous, Kelis, and Frank Ocean. We got the chance to chat with this busy bee on the not so intricate meaning behind her name, how she got into DJing, and her dream collaborations. Check it out!

Nokia has announced the launch of its free music streaming service Nokia Music in the USA - a free mobile experience providing consumers with a simple and delightful way to discover and enjoy music. Available for exclusively for all Lumia handsets, Nokia Music will give users access to over 150 playlists spanning a myriad of genres, as well as the ability to create custom playlists that processes your activity to provide music based on your preferences and tastes.No WiFi? No problem. You can download your playlists and listen to them offline if you don’t have an Internet connection.

When the day comes to an end and your ready to settle in and kick off your shoes...just stop. Just stop and remember that beyond your door lies endless opportunities, especially in music. New Yorker's are spoiled and we aren't afraid to admit it. Our biggest one-up from every other city is probably the dynamic music scene that infultrates through just about every borough. No matter what night of the week it is you can opt to get your nightly music fix with these local stand outs that provide musical selections to die for. With that said, check out our Top 5 local DJ's to check out this fall.

When the day comes to an end and your ready to settle in and kick off your shoes...just stop. Just stop and remember that beyond your door lies endless opportunities, especially in music. New Yorker's are spoiled and we aren't afraid to admit it. Our biggest one-up from every other city is probably the dynamic music scene that infultrates through just about every borough. No matter what night of the week it is you can opt to get your nightly music fix with these local stand outs that provide musical selections to die for. With that said, check out our Top 5 local DJ's to check out this fall.

"It has only been the golden rule. If you can play in Holland, you can play anywhere," were the words of Dutch trance producer and DJ Sander Van Doorn in the official trailer of a documentary that is in the works telling the tales of the quick and immense success of the Dutch dance scene.

Appropriately titled, "Dutch Influence," the film gets right to the point with saying that dance music originated in Europe and explains it's transition into America. The film features talented, global superstars such as Tiesto, Laidback Luke, Fedde Le Grand, and many more. The doc will follow these rising talents through some of the party capitals of the world and give fans an insight of their experiences and what it takes to stay fresh in the revolution of dance music. Check out the trailer and for more information visit the Dutch Influence homepage here.

DJ Rascal is not your average DJ. The Miami-based artist started on the music scene at the ripe age of 15, performing in some of the city's hottest venues, including LIV, Mynt, and Arkadia. He spent his early career spinning with some of the greats - Steve Aoki, Martin Solveig, and Miike Snow. Starting off in a school jazz band, playing piano and bass guitar, he quickly learned that his passion lay in DJing and quickly started booking gigs at clubs at a young age. Now at the age of 23, Rascal has announced that he will be releasing his first EP. Joonbug chats with the young superstar about his upcoming EP, his craziest moments in the club, and what he likes to do when he's not spinning.


What can we expect on your new album and what was the inspiration behind it?

I've been working on it for quite some time now. I decided to work on it because my entire life I've been involved in music, from being in a school band, then graduating to a jazz band in school, and then exploring with DJing once I got into high school; and now that's all I've been doing. Having the opportunity to open up and close for such big DJs in Miami, I would just sit behind them once I finished with my set and watch them play their own original music and the reaction they got - I thought, man, I could do this. The music is good, it's crazy, but it's nothing that I can't do. I know how to play instruments, so I decided to go home at the time and I started practicing again and brushing up on my music notes and how to work with melodies. I've created over 35 songs and out of those I've chosen a good 5-7 songs that I'm finalizing now. I am really, really hard on myself. I compare it to the best of what's out right now and if it's not as good or better, I start over or delete it. In order to be one of the best, you have to compare yourself to the best. I bring people to my studio and show them what I'm working on and listen to their feedback. But so far, with the 5-7 songs I've chosen, everyone has given really positive feedback.

Do you have a title for the album yet?

I had a title but I'm not 100% sure I'm going to use it, so as of right now, no, I don't have a title.

Do you have any favorite tracks off the album?

That's so funny you say that. It's funny because whenever someone comes to listen they'll be like, "Oh I like this song, but this is my favorite song." [But] I'm attached to every song in a different way. Each song has a different meaning behind it, whether it's the reason I started working on it, or the melody. Overall I'm happy with how [the album] is coming out.

You've been DJing since you were 14 years old. Do you think that gives you an advantage in the industry?

I wouldn't say it's an advantage because everyone's different and talented in their own way. Performance-wise, it would give me a little bit more room to get more creative. Instead of just playing two or three songs at the same time, I go out and study different DJs and see what they can do and what I can't do. I'll come back in my studio and sit here for hours and just practice and practice. Just so I can be as good as what's out there - some people might say I'm amazing and some might think I suck. But overall, I've gotten far for being so young, so I just keep working to better myself.

What do you like about the scene in Miami?

I love everything about the Miami scene. It's different from everything, even other parts of Florida. It's totally different because I grew up in bottle service clubs in Miami and I've been successful because I cater to the crowds, but at the same time, I don't lose my edge. I play what they want to hear but I play what I think is good and what I want to hear. So it's not very repetitive - I am always testing new music and sometimes people give me the craziest faces, like "what the f is this kid playing?" but that's my job as a DJ - to put out new music. I get that reaction and sometimes I get the best reaction, when songs that people hate turn into songs people love and then a month later, that song is on the radio. It's just that risk that a DJ is supposed to take. I'm happy to say that I've stuck to it and played music that no one has heard yet.

Would you ever consider leaving Miami?

Yea, I leave Miami once every week. [laughs]

Permanently, I mean?

I'm not sure, because my studio is out here in Miami. I travel a lot and work a lot and there's so much more out there. Who knows? I take everything day by day. If there's a huge opportunity for me out there one day and I feel that it's right, then I might jump on it. Maybe I'll move to Thailand and live in a jungle!

What's it like to work with some of the biggest DJs out there?

It's very nerve-wracking. The first time I ever got a big opportunity was when I opened up for Steve Aoki. It was just weird how it happened - I am the type of person who always just asks questions because the answer is always going to be no if you don't ask. So I was at a club where he was playing and afterwards I asked if I could open up for him. And I just waited and waited, for hours, and then the day of the show they got back to me and said yes, you can open for him and close. I was so excited and so nervous, I kept practicing and practicing. To this day, it's still probably one of the funnest sets I've had because I was so nervous and trying to do my best. And to this day I always get nervous, I always want to do my best. I've been lucky, all these big famous DJs, they are so successful, but at the same time they are so humble and nice that it makes you so comfortable being around them and playing before them.

What do you like to do when you're not DJing?

I sit on a leather chair all day. I sit in front of a computer. This is going to sound boring, but I'm kind of a boring person. I work a lot. During the day when I'm not working I'm either working on my music, eating cookies and drinking water, or when it's basketball season, I'll watch that here in the studio while I work. I'm pretty determined to finish this EP - all my energy is into that right now.

What are some of the craziest things that have happened while you've been DJing at a club?

I watch people fall all the time. I love to people watch. It depends what you consider crazy - I've seen people get into fights. One of the craziest things happened one night last year in March, it was almost like the club caught on fire because of how many bottles were sold. Somebody bought close to 200 Cristal bottles at once. So it was just one big fireball of sparklers, it was crazy and cool to watch. Also, I went to a club with Aoki up in Pampano Beach and he had me and Marshall Barnes get this raft and go into the crowd. So we are in the crowd on the raft and Steve jumps off the balcony and misses and just knees me in the face. It was crazy; we thought we were going to drop him.

What's your drink of choice, besides water of course?

I have two. Goombay Punch is a Bahamian drink that's really good - it's like a soda. And I'm so addicted to Red Bull. People tell me it's bad, but it's just so good. I love it.

Keep up to date on DJ Rascal and his upcoming EP.

Italian producer and DJ Alex Gaudino has been a big name in the business for over a decade. His hit track, 'Destination Calabria,' swept dancefloors across the globe in 2007. Having founded two labels, RISE and Magnificent Records, it seems the house music master has done it all, from finding talent as A&R to producing original chart-toppers. We had a chance to sit down with him to get the scoop on how he manages to excel at all of it.

You may be familiar with Rony Seikaly aka 'The Spin Doctor' on the basketball court, but his nickname is equally fitting to his increasingly notable DJ career. The former NBA star grew up with a love for music and has been DJing since the age of 14. Only recently, though, has he taken his passion to the next level. Seikaly has upcoming residencies in Ibiza and Atlantic, as well as a fourteen track compilation soon to be released on June 8th. Check out the interview below to learn about a whole different side to Rony.
Your upcoming compilation CD "Nervous Nitelife Presents Rony Seikaly” comes out June 5th. What can we expect to hear on this album? What type of audience does your music cater to? I think the sound that I have is not a sound that you generally hear. It's very specific, it's melodic and underground, not "pop-y." My sound is almost a genre that people have to discover…so what I'm trying to do is get people's ears to open up and listen to different sounds. Not necessarily love everything but be open.
What can you tell us about your upcoming residencies at LIO in Ibiza and REVEL in Atlantic City?
I'm really looking forward to them. I think it's everyone's dream to get a residency in IBIZA so to get a gig there and be coupled with all the amazing DJs that perform there really means you have to ensure you're at the top of your game. And Atlantic City is something new, which is a challenge and coming from an athletic background I always love challenges.
As a DJ, you get to travel the globe to perform. What are some of your favorite places to work?
I love IBIZA, New York City and I love playing in Paris. Those are the ones that stand out. I read a quote you said - "Sports will always be my love. But music will always be my passion." How has your transition from basketball star to DJ been? Have friends and family, as well as fans been supportive of your new endeavor?
I always dreamed of being a professional athlete but I never dreamed of being a DJ or touring. That all happened organically. The reason is that I've always been tied to music, music has always been in my house, I've always had turn tables and I'd DJ for my friends and they would encourage me to DJ for the public. Initially I never wanted to because it was something personal and I figured I'd get criticized for doing it. Eventually I realized that I'd rather fulfill myself than please everyone else so I embarked on this voyage and it's the best thing I've done besides basketball.
What musicians have been your biggest inspirations?
I grew up in the disco era so Donna Summer and Barry White were big initially. After that I was into the early stages of hip-hop: Kurtis Blow, LL Cool J and Run DMC. From there it morphed more into The Police and soft rock and eventually back into House music in the early '90s where it's remained ever since.

Do you have any favorite tracks on your new album?
I like Dessert Nights, it gives a glimpse of my sound and the music that I love. This album has all different sounds, all very uplifting. Not banging and not too soft. Its a good CD for a car, something to chill with.
What is one thing you have always wanted to do but haven't had a chance to do yet?
I've never thought of it. I live my life every day and I feel very very blessed.

Nicknamed the ‘Voice Belgique’ (the Voice of Belgium), Quentin Mosimann is making a name for himself internationally as one of the few existing DJ-singers. Known for his use of various instruments and his wild and unpredictable performances, Quentin sat down with Joonbug at the Perry Hotel in South Beach to talk about his favorite names in music, his beginnings as a jazz singer, and his current international tour.

You’re probably best known for your success in the French reality TV show, Star Academy France. What were you doing before the show?