Dj Dan

✮ DJ DAN – web / facebook / twitter / soundcloud

“The thing I love about Dan is that he’s always had a funky spirit and he always pushes the elements of music” – Carl Cox

“DJ Dan is the pivotal ingredient to live Djing and production – a real teacher to all.” – DJ Sneak.

DJ Dan has been synonymous with the American dance music industry for over two decades as a record collector, house innovator and true legend of the scene. However, his music bandwidth stretches much further; representing the spirit of 70’s disco and 80’s/90’s house with contemporary flair that makes him like no other artist on the scene. People have been missing the funk and that’s what DJ Dan does best.

Born and raised on the West coast, Dan was entrenched in music from an early age, 1989 to be exact, a time when the rave scene was blossoming. Sharpening his skills spinning vinyl at small clubs in Seattle, Dan’s experience in the late 80’s behind the decks converted into a profound knowledge of what people want on the dance floor, a trait still ingrained in him today. The early 90’s saw Dan move to Los Angeles, feeding the roots of the emerging underground scene in the US. As the scene exploded Dan was at the center of a musical revolution; underground promoters snapped up his ability to blend breaks, disco and all things funky that inadvertently placed him as the leading figure on the rave scene.

In 1993; a move to San Francisco with a re-invented sound that lended itself more to acid house and electro, Dan instigated the formation of the legendary group Funky Tekno Tribe that sought to push the boundaries of house music. Dan’s innovative eye for promotion saw him implement the recordings and distribution of ‘mixtapes’, a simple yet revolutionary method that soon developed into a frenzied culture that remains an electronic music mainstay, in various forms today. With an ear for good music and eye for new talent, it was at this time that the FTT brought an unknown French duo to tear up one of their parties… Daft Punk never looked back.

This period marked the beginning of the burgeoning breakbeat genre that encapsulated house, dubs and techno. At the heart, DJ Dan, who generated the fused rhythms that were dubbed the ‘West Coast House Sound.’ As global demand grew for his skills behind the turntables, Dan’s 1995 single under the moniker Electroliners was a result of a shift in the American who decided to dedicate more time to producing music. ‘Loose Caboose’ proved to be one of the definitive tracks from the breakbeat era and encompassed the talents that inspired many to follow.

Many visionary artists have queued up to bottle Dan’s unique sound; with a remix discography that reads like a music industry hall of fame; Depeche Mode, New Order, the Pussycat Dolls and a Tribe Called Quest have all enlisted the boss of breakbeat to tap into his hailed production abilities. Earning his first Platinum record in 1999, Dan’s remix of the Orgy cover ‘Blue Monday’ was revered around the world and reaffirmed his reputation on a global scale; re-working seemingly untouchable records with expert precision. The late-200’s was another period of huge remixes for Dan; most notably, his timeless remixes of ‘Paparazzi’ and ‘Bad Romance’ by Lady Gaga. While dance producers working with pop starts is the thing to do in 2012, Dan preceded the trend by adding his electronic music clout to Janet Jackson’s 2010 hit ‘Make Me.’ In September of 2010, Dan went on to release one of his finest achievements, his debut artist album, ‘Future Retro” – titled after and the embodiment of Dan’s 20+ years in the industry.

In October 2012 DJ Dan returns with his sophomore album, Disko-Funk Odyssey. It’s rich and throbbing, packed with 16-funked up tracks that unties the worlds of funky house and techno. It’s rhythm…it’s soul…it’s real dance music.

Disko-Funk Odyssey is about looking to the past for guidance to the future. It’s an uncompromised look at the funkiest, most soulful body music available in 2012. No quick fix…this has big time staying power. Just like DJ Dan.

EMAIL INTERVIEW 07.11.13

Apart What / where / who was your first experience of electronic music?
DJ Dan My first experience was at a club I used to go to in a Church in Seattle called The Monastery. The turntables hung from the ceiling since the sound system was so powerful. This prevented the records from skipping. The dj’s played on all 3 decks and absolutely rocked it every night. I knew I had to become a dj after seeing the dj’s rock that crowd.

Apart Which artists had the greatest impact on your decision to pursue being a DJ?
DJ Dan Barry Weaver with his flawless mixing and flow, Carl Cox because of his powerful sets and presence, Donald Glaude because of his spontaneous risk taking and chunky beats. 

Apart Describe ‘your sound’ in three words?
DJ Dan Funky, Adventurous and Colorful 

Apart What are your top favorite 3 clubs (or cities) that you have performed at?
DJ Dan Club Beta in Denver, King King in LA, Ruby Skye in San Francisco
 
Apart What’s one place or club that you haven’t DJ’ed at yet, that you really want to?
DJ Dan I’ve always wanted to play at Womb in Tokyo. Solid underground state of the art club. 

Apart What are some of your recent productions on what labels?
DJ Dan I have a new single I did with Umek coming out on Toolroom called “Mighty Wind” (due out in September).  I also did 3 remixes for Ultra Records. They licensed the classic Salsoul disco catalog and I got to remix:  Instant Funk – I Got My Mind Made Up (out now), First Choice – Love Thang (out at end of July), Raw Silk – Do It To The Music (out end of July). And lastly, I have a new tune coming out on my label InStereo with Charles Feelgood due out July 12th called “We Got It” 

Apart Youtube us one track that we can expect to hear you play in Milwaukee?
DJ Dan – http://youtu.be/7CBMr9z2ysQ
 
Apart When your not listening to electronic music, what do you like to listen to? 
DJ Dan I’m a big fan of the 80’s New Wave music so I listen to The B-52’s, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Flock Of Seagulls, etc. I love Jack FM
 
Apart What’s your favorite thing about the Midwest?
DJ Dan I love that the midwest is so educated on early Detroit Techno as well as Chicago house and that they keep an open mind to my West Coast vibe. It allows me a lot of freedom to go on many different tangents and the crowd totally gets it!
 
Apart Finish this sentence: Nobody would ever guess that I……
DJ Dan go to Italy every year to take cooking classes. I love cooking!