interview: DJ Elroy

image: Victor Spinelli Jr.

Colorado. It ain’t just for cowboys anymore. Take, for example, Denver nightlife. There’s something here for everyone. In dance music, we’ve the best of both worlds – the glitz and pomp of mainstream danceclubs is balanced with the genuine and often seedy realm of underground parties. The Light and the Dark. The Yin and the Yang.  

Similarly, Denver nightlife wouldn’t be complete without both aspects of the culture. One defines the other. But sometimes the line between commercial and underground blurs because of the very thing that holds them together: the love of Music.

And while the Mile High City might not be as well-recognized a dance music epicenter as Miami, LA, Chicago, or New York, we certainly have a good thing going. Who wants the superficial musicality that is Los Angeles? Who wants the “no dancing” attitude of NYC lawmakers? Not I. That’s the great thing about club culture. We don’t have to be in those cities to enjoy their sound. Take the good and leave the rest.

 
This Memorial Day weekend, New York is coming to Colorado. Yes, for the first time ever, Danny Tenaglia will be aurally violating Denver. Known as “The DJ’s DJ”, Tenaglia personifies the NY sound. House. Tribal. Dark. Twisted. He’s released more original music and remixes than you can shake a glowstick at. He’s put out monumental mixes on prestigious labels. He’s currently touring the globe, finishing his new compilation Futurism on Tommy Boy, and sporting his new track “The Space Dance”. And he’s done all this without selling out. And that’s not easy to do anymore. But how does he do it?

• First things first – Why haven’t we seen you in Denver?
  
  My schedule never gave me the right opportunity whenever I headed to the west coast. I was waiting for 2008  :)

• WMC ’08 is over and done – What vibes did you pick up this time around? Another year of electro? Maybe “fidget” house? Or will this summer bring out a completely new sound? 
  
  There were a lot of vibrant, fresh faces. The people (as usual) were eager to hear new music, which is the reason I have been attending WMC for the past 22 years.

• You’ve never been one to sell out to the trends. You’re able to mix a good compromise between what the dancefloor wants and what you want. How do you please the crowd while keeping your unmistakable sound and style? How do you keep your identity in the mix? 

By always embracing the future and never forgetting; [by] incorporating that with my past deep roots.

• Going off that, let’s look at your overall career. You’ve been hugely successful yet you’ve managed to stay relatively “underground” … Is there a reason you’ve chosen not to jump from “DJ” to “Commercial Superstar” like so many of the others? 
  
  I have always been different – the “B-side guy” – and my heart has always been in this for the right reasons. I can only be myself.
  
   
• You’ve been DJing over 30 years… How do you keep things fresh? Has there even been a time you’ve thought about hanging up the headphones for good? 
  
  Never. The ever-changing technology and the new music that comes out on a daily basis always gives me something new to wake up to.
  
  
• Word is you’ve got some original material and a new mix to release over the next few months – can you tell us about them? 
  
  I am currently working on a new single “The Space Dance” that will appear on my new compilation Futurism on Tommy Boy Records. I am really excited about being back in the studio and also working with such a legendary label. I signed on to Space in Ibiza for a Thursday residency all summer. I was so excited I had to make a song about it!

• Do you prefer studio work or live shows?
  
  Live shows, always!

• Speaking of live shows, tell us a bit about your “marathon” sets…

How do you prepare for them physically, mentally, and musically?

I don’t do that many and don’t particularly care for the word “marathon”. To me it is just an extended set, which is no big deal to me. I just prepare like anyone else would for an important job. I get myself in check spiritually and mentally and always make sure I eat right and get plenty of rest.

• Do you ever see the same faces on the dancefloor for the entirety of these sets?

Yes – those are my favorite ones! People that take the full journey from beginning to end are the ones that understand me best – not the ones who are there for a short time looking for instant gratification.

• What kind of DJ do you consider yourself? 
  
  Humble, twisted, and deep!

• Describe your style in 10 words or less:
• 1. modern
• 2. classic
• 3. techno
• 4. soulful
• 5. tribal
• 6. ethnic
• 7. surreal
• 8. aggressive
• 9. surprising
• 10. delicious

• Colorful and concise! How has your sound evolved over the years?
  
  My first album I titled Hard And Soul almost 15 years ago. I still live by that – soul first, then embracing the aggressive new sounds that make the people get excited.

• Along with the music itself, the technology has also been changing. What’s in your ideal DJ booth?

Great monitoring, Pioneer CDJ mk3 or DVJs Urei is my favorite mixer but tend to use whatever is best for club/room. I bring effects units/mic effects… getting into Tracktor and Ableton. But the basics are most important – Privacy, water, respect, and a clean DJ booth!

• There’s no doubt that it’s an exciting time in the dance music scene right now, but let’s jump in the time machine and go back to your early days in music… Is your outlook on things now different than it was 10 or 20 years ago? 
  
  So much has changed with the record business, technology, etc. but I am still as excited as I was 10 or 20 years ago because the music keeps evolving.

• How have the rules and regulations affected NYC nightlife over the past decade? 
  
  The rules and regulations in NYC have dealt a couple of blows to many businesses but clublife remains healthy. It has always been a tough industry to regulate. The pendulum swings back and forth but the lifestyle will always survive.

• Your name comes up as one of the few DJs that really push the limits to break the “human jukebox” stereotype. It’s rare for a danceclub jock to get on the mic at all, but you seem comfortable making sure the crowd is hyped, you enjoy giving props to the other DJs and patrons, and you will give the trainspotters a leg up by tossing out a tune ID every now and then. Why do you do it? Or maybe the better question is why doesn’t anyone else?

I can’t speak for anybody else but I am 100% secure and I don’t care about what people think about me on the mic – it feels right to me. It always seems to excite people on the dancefloor. The nay-sayers are usually industry types at the bar. I am not just a DJ but an entertainer too.

• OK Flipside: In the past some have been critical of the way you’ll call out the unsavory characters from the booth or your dislike of cell phones on the dancefloor. Is that still something you do?

That is so 10 years ago! But basically, are you going to dance or to make phone calls?  Vinyl in NYC had designed areas for phone use, etc. All the parties there at the time (Be Yourself/Shelter/Body & Soul) agreed it was about maturity and the music – so we tried to educate the crowd.

•  Well it doesn’t appear many people have learned much over the past 10 years! What’s the funniest rumor you’ve heard about yourself?
  
  There are so many absurd rumors – but I recently read that I have this special rider requesting a masseur and an air ambulance at every gig!

•  Is it true? 
  
  No, not at all; it must have started out as a shady joke and took on a life of its own. Actually I read it in an Italian newspaper!

•  Last question: Musically speaking, what accomplishments are you most proud of? 
  
  Staying true to the music itself and the people; making my family proud; my collaborations with Celeda, Pet Shop Boys; being nominated for a Grammy for my remix of Depeche Mode’s “I Feel Loved”… being friends with all the DJs and humbly being honored as the DJ’s DJ at the Dancestar Awards. I love working with guys like Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Louie Vega, Frankie Knuckles… there is no better feeling than being in the middle of it all.

May 25^th @ Beta  (Patio Grand Opening Weekend)

DannyTenaglia.com