DJ Rx
When a party flatlines, superstar spinners know the tools to break out for instant resuscitation
RAHA
LEWIS
ALLISON KORNBERG
AFP/Getty Images
It’s hard to get people dancing. Actually, in some cases, it takes a heroic effort. When you look at the skill set of DJs, you’ll see they do more than run through a playlist. Not only can they save your good time, they can save their own ass. They do this by knowing how to read a room, but mostly, they do it by gut instinct.
As parties can peter at any time, all high-profile DJs have had to cut their teeth on a slew of curveball scenarios, from trying to get Sting to dance to revving up distraught basketball fans after a loss. We chatted up some of the best spinners in town—founding members of the modern-day nightlife rat pack Steve Aoki and DJ Vice; DJ Hem, exclusive spinner for the L.A. Lakers at Hyde Lounge at the Staples Center; and rising star DJ Spider—to see how they pulled the party from the brink.
CRISIS: It’s a gent’s sweet-14 party (sweet 16s are so last century), and there are kids scattered around the birthday boy’s mansion. Alas, they’re forming into quiet cabals. The mood is sour, hors d’oeuvres untouched. The kids need a kick. What’s a world-famous DJ to do?
SPECIALIST: Steve Aoki, who spins at Cinespace’s Dim Mak Tuesdays in Hollywood and Fridays at Surrender in Las Vegas.
CURE: After studying the crowd, Aoki calls for a little aggro irreverence and pulls out Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name.” While it might annoy parents, it lets the kiddies know the DJ is on their side. “Boys are crashing into each other while girls are watching and laughing. And when the part comes where Zack de la Rocha says, ‘F--k you, I won’t do what you tell me,’ kids start jumping off tables screaming it out loud, ultimately destroying the backyard.” And that’s a sign of success at any party. Aoki’s golden rule: Be adaptable.
CRISIS: It’s 2006 at the post-Katrina reopening of Saks Fifth Avenue in downtown New Orleans. A strange convergence of runway models, working stiffs and soccer moms are perusing the aisles. After a disaster, nothing celebrates the return to normal life more than shopping, but at such a tender time, the vibe is ripe to become awkward.
SPECIALIST: DJ Vice, who does Saturdays at Tao and Sundays at Lavo in Las Vegas and Thursdays at Playhouse in Hollywood.
CURE: “I am spoiled from rocking big-room clubs and having everybody on the dance floor waiting for me,” Vice says. Not so this time, as it seems no one has heard of him. Stillness is in the air. But after 10 minutes, Vice hits paydirt with Motown. As Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” soars through the room, the floor fills with grooving dancers and the ringing of cash registers. “If Aretha didn’t make them move,” he says, “I would have quit right there!” The takeaway: When in doubt, go old school.
CRISIS: It’s the 2009 Sundance after-party, and Sting is on hand to support his filmmaker buddy Joe Berlinger, who directed the rainforest documentary Crude. Spinning at the ultra-exclusive event is no problem, but making Sting get up and dance? That’s a whole other ball of wax. Gulp.
SPECIALIST: DJ Spider, who can usually be found in L.A. at Drai’s, Crown Bar and Voyeur.
CURE: The minute Spider sets up shop, one of Sting’s friends walks up and says simply, “Sting wants to dance.” The party has just started, drinks have barely kicked in, and the dance floor is a wasteland. But for Spider, there is just an audience of one. Knowing Sting’s diverse tastes, he launches an eclectic barrage—Marvin Gaye, Jay-Z, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, the Ting Tings, A Tribe Called Quest. Within minutes, Sting is up, followed by his friends and, soon, a crowd that doesn’t sit down all night. Spider’s sanity saver: Know all music, not just what makes you tick.
CRISIS: Angelenos hate the Celtics, so surely we won’t let them beat us in our own house. And so a sweet after-party is planned at the spankin’ new Hyde Lounge at the Staples Center to savor the triumph. Problem is, the Celtics win by a point. Try making a Laker fan smile now.
SPECIALIST: DJ Hem, who mans L.A.’s turntables at Hyde Lounge and often Industry, STK, Playhouse and Mi-6.
CURE: “The attitude in this place changes completely when the Lakers lose,” Hem says. “It’s all about bouncing back and keeping everyone from leaving.” Hem brandishes his nuclear option by playing a recognizable banger—“We Run L.A.” by Ya Boy. As soon as the crowd starts feeling like they run the city once again, Hem hits them with “I’m the Ish” by DJ Class (Lakers remix), “I Love L.A.” by Randy Newman and Tinie Tempah’s “Pass Out.” Success—they’re in a frenzy and ready to party. Apparently, Laker fans feel short-term grief. And why not? There’s always next year. Moral of the story: Act quickly—a second too late, and they’re gone.
Categories: Cocktails / Dance / Music / Risky Business
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Great post. Especially the part about the different types of visitors. Its a great idea to see visitors as different types of people who will react with the site differently rather than lumping them into one category and then wondering why your predictions about them might be wrong.
Posted by: cheap christian louboutin | 12/14/2010 at 12:46 AM
the Celtics win by a point.
Posted by: wholesale GUCCI Sunglasses | 01/17/2011 at 07:57 PM
Great post. Especially the part about the different types of visitors. Its a great idea to see visitors as different types of people who will reac
Posted by: Hermes Kelly | 04/24/2011 at 10:06 PM
I know what you mean said the tulip.
Posted by: Air Max 2011 | 05/12/2011 at 05:29 AM
will not talk to Santa;
I am simply too afraid of him.
I'm not impressed by all .
Posted by: cheap nike air max 2011 | 05/26/2011 at 08:37 PM
The old man next door also said so. When it got dark， the wealthy man， as expected， lost a great amount of his wealth. That family thought its child very bright， but suspected the old man next door
Posted by: cheap nike air max 2011 | 05/27/2011 at 12:57 AM
their fox-furs so yellow,Their deportment unvaryingly [correct] And their speech full of elegance If we could go back They would be admiring
Posted by: Air Max 2011 | 05/28/2011 at 08:19 PM
re naturally long .Not that they gave their hair that curve,The hair had a nat
Posted by: cheap nike free run | 05/31/2011 at 05:05 AM
In many NBA players, when talking about switching to overseas, CSKA is the reference rate very high team. Good financial and superior strength, the Russian team have let this concern. Unfortunately, shut down, the Central Army team's attitude is quite a man of character, which may cut off a l
Posted by: air jordan 13 fusion air max | 07/13/2011 at 01:31 AM
dia interview, it is very clear that the team attitude, "we will not consider those who had only played one season to the players, our club's goal is to become a longterm wi
Posted by: Jordan 13 fusion air max | 07/19/2011 at 09:18 AM
Thanks for sharing this post, now that i know your blog I will read from it more often,very nice and so true
Posted by: Buy Neurontin Online | 07/21/2011 at 05:40 AM
n du gjør? Yao Ming i OL til å delta i veldedige aktiviteter som spesialutsending av tiden på NBA karriere nekter å snakke om fremtidige planer, snarere e
Posted by: ugg classic tall boots | 07/28/2011 at 07:23 AM
a NBA négociations collectives étaient toujours attitude très positive. Les joueu
Posted by: ugg classic tall boots | 07/31/2011 at 12:04 AM
prochaine pourrait être annulé. Cependant, à partir de la situation actuelle, la
Posted by: uggbootspls | 08/05/2011 at 02:46 AM
mour de fans de football, je suis arrivé à l'accord de 10 ans entre les employeurs et les employés se sentent heureux et excité», écrivait James dans le micro
Posted by: cheap nike free run | 08/09/2011 at 09:32 AM
reed, shut down an end. As a die-hard football fans, "King" LeBron - James t
Posted by: nike free 2011 | 08/22/2011 at 11:07 PM
and employees Football League on a new labor agreement has been agreed, shut down an end. As a die-hard football fans, "King" LeBron - Jam
Posted by: jordan air max fusion | 09/07/2011 at 03:01 AM
I can see that you are spending a lot of effort into your website!I am deeply in love with every single piece of information you post here (there are not many quality blogs left.By the way if you are looking for link exchange with quality Estate Agents Directory,please drop an email-I will be glad to add your link.
Regards,
John
Posted by: Home Security | 10/27/2011 at 02:15 AM