We Know the Feeling: Kevin Carlisle (Denver)

We Know the Feeling: Kevin Carlisle (Denver)

3 January, 2011 | 3.00AM

• Written by: Sean Lewis
• Filed under: Music News: kevin carlisle, we know the feeling

At the Beatport offices, our employees participate in music in just every way imaginable. We Know The Feeling has brought you a variety of tales from touring DJs, noted producers, bedroom DJs, dancers, and just plain super fans. Being grounded by the day-to-day hustle of their demanding Beatport positions is the one commonality between them all. Without their passions and intensity, Beatport wouldn’t be the place that it is.

One such fine chap that lends an extraordinary level of ambition to our company is Kevin Carlisle. We invite you to read more about the family man with an inextinguishable passion who directly impacts the development of Beatport’s services.

Where did you grow up?

In a commuter town near Washington, D.C. called Manassas, Virginia. It was close enough to the city that I took spending the day in the US capital for granted.

What was the first album you purchased?

The Beatles, 1967-1970 (The Blue Album). Still among my favorites.

What were some of your earliest musical influences?

I grew up surrounded by music. My dad is a classically trained pianist, two of my siblings are accomplished jazz bassists, and another used to sing. I remember finding random instruments when I was young—a guitar or trombone—and messing with them for hours. Later I was trained as a trumpet player and started learning theory… Growing up in a house full of musicians had a huge impact on me.

Digging through my family’s record collection was a huge influence as well. Motown, reggae, weird classic rock, jazz; I’d get lost in cabinets full of records for days at a time.

When and how did you get into Electronic music?

I didn’t have much exposure to electronic music up until high school. When I was 16 I wound up with a copy of The Chemical Brothers’ Surrender. It had just come out and it completely blew me away. 

I eventually started going to parties and clubs in my little town and in D.C., and I’ve been on a music discovery binge ever since.

Have your tastes evolved since then?

I still love The Chemical Brothers, but yes, it has expanded. My favorite stuff is deep, beautiful mid-tempo house and techno. 

What’s the best thing about living in Denver?

The mountains, for sure. They are striking and unavoidable. They’re part of everything you do here, and of course they’re fun to play on too.

What do you do here at Beatport and how long have you been with the company?

I’m the director of Product Management. I’ve been with the company for almost three years.

In layman’s terms, what does that mean?

It means I’m lucky enough to be involved in many of the products or services we build or provide for people, and I get to work with most of the great people in this company.

In what way has Beatport changed your life?

I truly love my job, and I know how lucky I am to be able to say that. It’s a rare and amazing thing that many people don’t get to experience.

Do you DJ?

Yes. 

How did you get into DJing?

I’ve always had a passion for sharing the music that I love with my friends, which is the root of it, if you ask me, but I never tried mixing records until 2003.

That year, a few friends came to visit my wife and me while we were living near St. Louis. One of them brought his turntables and all of his vinyl… All we did for an entire week was play records. After that I had no choice but to get my own gear and start learning.

What kind of DJ set up do you have?

I started out with turntables and vinyl. Eventually I moved to Serato, but kept using my tables. Today, I’ve moved on to software.

I use Traktor Pro and a MIDI controller with a built-in audio interface. I have my MacBook Pro, one piece of audio gear, one cable and one channel on a mixer. It’s ridiculously simple to set up no matter where I use it, which is really useful with all the crazy gear combinations you can run into.

Can you tell us more about where you’ve performed in the past or if you’re planning any upcoming appearances?

I’ve played at mostly bars, small clubs and house parties up to now. A couple places in Knoxville, Tennessee and Augusta, Georgia. One of my favorites was a place called Room 9, in Augusta, which has since closed.

I’ve been lucky enough to play at Beta in Denver a few times, and I’m playing there again on January 29th with some of my favorite local DJs. I’m super excited for that. 

Top three producers/ DJs?

Matthias Meyer

Mic Newman

KiNK

Top three tracks you’ve heard in the past 3 months?

Matthias Meyer, “Miss Appre Gate (Original Mix)” [Liebe Detail]

Trickski, “Pill Collins (Original Mix)” [Suol]

Bubba, “Drugs, Hugs & Thugs (Bearweasel Remix)” [Extended Play]

Are eyebrows considered facial hair?

No way! Haven’t you ever played the board game Guess Who? Everyone would have facial hair if eyebrows counted.

Favorite Denver eatery?

Mmm… Lucille’s for breakfast and Sushi Den for any other time.

What fashion trend to you regret participating in?

Hemp necklaces.

If it weren’t for Beatport, where would you be now?

Working hard to support my family. I have a lovely wife and three awesome kids who are by far the most important thing in my life—but I’m sure I’d call in sick far too often.

Complete the following sentences:
I’ll never forget the time I ____

I’ll never forget the time I let myself get talked into going to a country club for a swim when the pool was closed. There were seven or eight people there, and after being chased by police into the wee hours of the morning, I was one of three who got away. Sweet delinquency.

I hope to someday forget about the time I ___

I hope to someday forget about the time I DJed after a punk band without knowing they were a punk band. Yeah, I was not prepared for that. 

I was supposed to play for two hours after the band finished, and the place was completely empty—not a soul except for the bartenders—for the last hour and a half of my set. 

If I could be a ____, I would be a _____ because _____

If I could be a food, I would be bacon because bacon is delicious.

I would rather _____, than listen to ______

I would rather eat dirt than play music I don’t like for the sake of getting gigs.

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