Its that time of year to commence planning, hotels andflight for the 2007 music conferences. House music fans congregate at both theM3 and WMC conferences, both held in Miami in March. In this expose, BounceFM presents several alternatives to Miamiincluding music conferences held in Africa, Australia, Holland and Spain. Here’s the summary. Happy conference season!
His name is DJ Big Will and like BounceFM.Com, we share an affinity for DJ Tony Humphries. The founder of www.doublepromo.com, BounceFM.Com is proud to present DJ Big Will in his own words. No stranger to controversy, here’s some of what he had to say:
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT STATE OF HOUSE MUSIC?
. . . Unfortunately, house music has within it a group of people that say that they like / love house music but some of them also say and believe that house music is dead (or dying); they are propagating a false doctrine . . .
WHICH RECORD DO YOU NEVER WANNA HEAR IN A CLUB AGAIN AND WHY?
There are a lot to name, so I’ll narrow it down to “Cloud 9”, “Blue Blackness”, Music Sounds Better With You”, “What A Sensation”, “Star Suite.”
HOW DID YOUR UPBRINGING INFLUENCE YOUR MUSICAL PREFERENCES?
. . . I was lucky to grow up in an area of the South Bronx where I witnessed the birth of hip hop.
WHAT PARALLELS, IF ANY, DO YOU SEE IN THE EVOLUTION OF EARLY HIP HOP CULTURE AND EARLY HOUSE MUSIC CULTURE?
. . . it’s easier to play a hip-hop record for a house crowd than to play house for a hip-hop (well, rap) crowd. . . .
“I DON'T SEE THE CORRELATION OF A DJ TWISTING KNOBS AND JUMPING UP AND DOWN BEING THE EQUIVALENT OF HAVING ENERGY.” – EXPLAIN
. . .. Some people seem to get mesmerized by looking at a DJ jump up and down and twaddle crossover knobs like they are nipples . . .
“I DON'T BUY ANY OF JOE'S (CLAUSELL’S) STUFF AT ALL. I DON'T WANT TO AND I DON'T NEED TO.”
-WHY?
It’s not just Joe, I don’t buy a lot of music by other remixers and producers – it’s all about choice and what I like to listen to, and a lot of remixers / producers make 12 inches of shit; a lot of vinyl that’s been pressed is the equivalent of a 12” flat compressed cowchip. Being that at the end of the day I’m the one that has bought the music and have to live with what I purchase, I don’t just buy anyone’s music. Now, Joe does make some good tunes, but I’m not interested in songs from him or anyone that amount to a temper tantrum of bongo tirades or all the other shit that passes for house music. If Joe makes a dope enough track, I’ll buy it (I won’t hold my breath on it, though).
“THERE IS MORE TO BEATMIXING/BLENDING THAN JUST LETTING ANY TWO RECORDS PLAY TOGETHER.”
-FOR THOSE THAT DON’T KNOW, CAN YOU BREAK DOWN BLENDING VS. BEATMIXING AND HOW THEY ADD TO A DJ SET.
. . . Two records (whether they are the same record or different records) being perfectly blended together is similar to making love . . .
. . . To the big-name DJ’s that do compilation CD’s, stop putting so many of your own or your friends’ records/remixes on the comps, stop putting so many (re)edits on the comps, and stop putting the same old bullshit “classic” house tunes on the comps that can be found on so many other compilations. Stop being lazy fucks and make better compilations . . .
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT PERIOD WAS THE GOLDEN ERA FOR HOUSE MUSIC? AND WHY? Everyone has their own “golden era” for the music they love to listen to; for me, the golden era of house music is 1986 to early-mid 1995.
. . . I’ve got to address one thing though – the overuse of the word “genius.” I’m amazed at how some people use the word “genius” to describe someone that’s made a handful of remixes, or to describe singers that have a couple of songs out. The word is being used too loosely. Stevie Wonder – genius. Prince – genius. Luther – genius. Quincy – genius. In my opinion, to properly apply the term “genius” to those in the house music scene, it should be based on what their contributions have been, what have they done to single-handedly shape/shift/create the sound/music in a way that no one else has done before them . . .
IF SOMEONE WROTE A SONG TO DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY/LIFE, WHAT WOULD THE TITLE BE?
I have no idea, but it would be a dub – DJ Premier, Kenny Dope and Heller / Farley would make the beat(s), Gene Perez would be on the bassline, Terry Burrus and Satoshie Tomie would be on the keys, DefMix would be the arrangers, Tony and Louie would be the producers. … Continue Reading
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