DJ Dan Interview with ClubDistrict

DJ Dan Interview with ClubDistrict

29 January, 2010 | 9.09PM

• Written by: ClubDistrictCOM
• Filed under: Music News : dj dan, future retro, getinpr, instereo

DJ Dan has been on the cutting edge of forward thinking dance tracks for over 18 years. As one of the pioneers of the west coast explosion throughout the 90s to the present day wave of electro and indie dance, DJ Dan continues to push the envelope as he brings to you his long awaited debut artist album entitled Future Retro.

To celebrate Dan’s 20th anniversary in music, he decided to create something special, one vantage point looking back and paying homage to where we have come, and another looking to the future of where we are going. Based in 2 parts “Future” and “Retro”, its a culmination of all things great on the dance floor, fusing classic dance tracks with Dan’s unique blend of funky driving electro; A musical journey that spans the infamous past, present, and looks to the future of electronic music, from Mr. Fingers to Phuture to Frankie Knuckles to Midnight Star...Chicago to Detroit to San Francisco to New York City and back again.

Without further delay, ClubDistrict presents
UNMIXED with DJ DAN!

CD: Dan you are considered a true legend in the house and rave scene. What is the most notable contribution you feel you made to the house and rave scene that lives on today?

DJDAN: Overall I’d say my biggest contribution has been pushing the boundaries of house music. I’ve always had a love for many different types of music growing up and wanted to share that with the crowd by throwing in elements of jazz, funk and disco into my sets. This keeps the music fun, interesting and exciting for myself and the crowd and I feel that through this open minded philosophy, it has given me my edge through the years.

CD: Rewinding back to the early 90s, your popularity in the Los Angeles underground was at an all time high, but in 1993 you surprised fans by moving up to San Francisco, why the move?

DJDAN: The rave scene in LA in 91/92 had become massive in a very short time and unfortunately had become very commercial as well. It had really become an ugly and dangerous place in many ways. I had been playing a lot in San Francisco at this time and had discovered a new way of looking at life and my music which really connected with the San Francisco crowd. I tried playing the same sound in LA and it just wasn’t connecting at all. I realized that I needed a change of environment and moved to SF and formed Funky Tekno Tribe with my 2 great friends Hector and Kevon. It was truly an unforgettable and electric time in my life.

CD: Throughout the 90’s you were both influential and instrumental in creating new genre crossing blends, with electronic music still in its infancy in America, how did you manage to pull off a platinum record in 1999?

DJDAN: A band called Orgy had done a rock version of New Order’s Blue Monday and since this was my favorite song of all time, I knew I had to do a remix of it. the only part I used from Orgy was their vocal and then basically re-did the parts of Blue Monday and turned it back into a current version of the dance classic. This was right after Needle Damage so they had a few similarities which I think many people liked.

CD: During the beginning stages of the electronic music movement was when the genres earliest legends were born; is there still room today for a legend to emerge? Who will those new legends be?

DJDAN: Yes, there will be but I think it will definitely continue to be those that produce and dj. Dj’s used to tell their story through their sets by playing other people’s works ONLY but now they can do it through their original works, visuals, mashups, etc. It’s going to be those that have a vision of the future and are not afraid of taking risks. People want to be inspired and to be taken to the next level.

CD: Besides being called Festivals now, the rave scene then and today, what’s the difference?

DJDAN: Sometimes I don’t know the difference myself apart from the fact that when it’s called a “festival” the promoters have proper permits in place and the police are actually involved and making sure everything runs smoothly.

CD: Your remix discography includes some of the biggest names in music including Depeche Mode, Ferry Corsten, New Order, Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, Pussy Cat Dolls, Tiesto, and P. Diddy to name a few; what’s in store for 2010?

DJDAN: This year I am releasing my original artist album entitled “Future Retro” which encompasses many of the styles and sounds that inspired me growing up. There are many covers on the record which many will know as well as new material that I think people will really be hyped on. This year I am focusing on establishing myself as a producer as much as I have a dj in the past. It’s all part of me getting all the ideas in my head out onto the dancefloor and I am really inspired to produce right now.

CD: How do you approach creating music, what is the method to your madness or is it a proprietary secret?
DJDAN: I usually just go with my first instinct. You always have to start somewhere. For me, that is always about sampling a great beat or kick drum. From there I start building up different sounds, like a sketchpad. Once it gets to about 10-20 tracks, I just keep what works and then I roll out the track in that direction. Sometimes it feels like trial and error but it’s always a fun process.

CD: Tell us about your current projects making industry news; Evolution 1, Future Retro and your current tour?

DJDAN: The Evolution series are releases off the forthcoming album Future Retro. All of these releases have the album version as well as remixes. There will be 3 of these releases before the release of the album this summer. I will be kicking off the tour in March/April and will be having some of my favorite dj’s playing with me on these dates.

CD: It was an epic moment to see you and Donald Glaude perform together, how did the idea of a 2x4 with Donald Glaude culminate?

DJDAN: Donald and I have been friends since High School and have always connected with the music in the same way. We did it once in 1993 and it was an epic experience so we thought we would bring it back as a tour in 2007. It was a truly magical experience.

Read the whole interview at http://www.clubdistrict.com/blog/149

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