JAN:
You are working on a full-length album titled "Undefined".
What types of sounds can we expect to
hear on this album?
DRC: The album will contain techno, trance, and drum-n-bass
influenced stuff, as well as one down tempo track.
Purely undefined (lol). It will be out next Spring 2003.
JAN: Is there anybody that you would like to mention that
you are working with on this album?
DRC: I've worked with many amazing people. I've worked
in the studio with Chris Demetras on the majority of the tracks
on the album. He's been my friend and mentor for 7 or more years.
This summer we wrapped up a lot of things before I move out to
New York. There will also be an incredible Middle Eastern D+B
track "Under The Veil"that I did with Keith Shreider,
of Auditory Sculpture/Dahlia days after 911 last year. He's an
amazing person to work with. He also did the drum programming
for Sheryl Crow's latest album & much more...
JAN:
I was just listening to their CD last night!
DRC: Oh really! Dahlia?
JAN: Yeah, I saw them when Stephanie (Luciano) brought
them down to LA.
DRC: Cool! Yeah, they are amazing. Jennifer, the singer,
is phenomenal too, as both a lyricist and vocalist. I met Keith
(Auditory Sculpture) when he was performing before one of my sets
at OHM in Portland, before I even knew of Dahlia. Keith and I
connected musically immediately. The guy can do anything,live
or in the studio. He's just brilliant, and he's amazing to work
with. A few others I've worked with are Jondi of Looq Records
who's helped me alot over the years with buisness insight as well
as music production. "Find Your Way" I did with
Thee-o in LA, of Bio Hazard Productions. It's the most beautiful
trance track I've done so far. Then last but far from least is
Andy Caldwell of "SOLSTICE". I had a bit of engineering
training with him back in 1994. The down tempo track on the album
I did with him. A great group of individuals for a nice diverse
range of music!
JAN:
Your latest release, "Seeker", what inspired you to
make this track?
DRC: Jondi of LOOQ Records in Berkeley and I have worked
together in the past, we did a track in the early 90's called
"Cosmic Mirror". It was featured in a film, "Synergy:
Vision of Vibe", about underground dance culture. Years later,
Jondi said lets get in the studio again. So we did and "SEEKER"
was born. I was raised around the Nez Perce Native Americans
& have a small amount of Cherokee blood, not much (lol), but
I value what I have, and I really wanted to do something in respect
to my native ancestors. So, I decided to do a little trance track,
with some Native American influences. So, I went in and did that,
and I was really excited about it. I did all of the vocals as
well. We actually produced that track back in '98 or '99. However,
the remix, by my studio partner, Chris Demetras, is recent. The
original still holds up to time, so I just wanted to get that
out there, and I wanted it to be the first release for Undefined
Musik. "Seeker" will also be on the album.
JAN: So, while we are talking about Undefined Musik, what
are your plans for your label?
DRC: My plans for Undefined Musik are a step-by-step process,
starting off with this record release. I will
eventually do other record releases. Right now, my main focus
is on the album. The album is going to take a
lot of time and preparation to get out this spring. It's
my big goal with Undefined Musik, to expose some really
talented artists that I admire and respect musically and that
do a diverse range of music.
JAN:
Yes, diversity is important.
DRC: Diversity is the spice of life.
JAN: What are your top 3 memories of performing?
DRC: The first memories of spinning out are always very
intense. Your hands are shaking so bad, that you can
hardly hold the needle in your hands, nor could I match a beat.
Downtown Donna was the first person to ever hire me. She had a
club out here in San Francisco. She was also the person who found
two techniques turntables and a Numark mixer in a coffin, on sale
in the newspaper, for $700. I bought the set up with my tax returns
from waiting tables. She really helped me out a lot then,
and we've just recently been in touch again after 10 years. This
time through TRC distribution, and here she is helping me to get
my new record out. It is neat to have that reconnection.
Oh, back to the question, sorry! I would have to say, of course,
my first trip overseas would also be a most memorable event in
history. Oh, boy, ohhhh, so many memories. Playing at Baby's
in Las Vegas in Nov. 2001 & having an MTV producer contact
me two months later after seeking out my information to get in
touch with me after hearing me play that night! That made
my year! We are still in touch too.
JAN:
On the opposite tip, what is the worst situation in your career
that you've had to deal with?
DRC: Oh, so many of those too! (lol) Everything ranging
from someone having a heart attack and dying on your dance floor,
to djing in a foot of mud, ewwwww! Of course - the gigs where
the event was cancelled & I would spend the night in the airport
(biggest memory of that is in Atlanta in 93), back before I had
an agent.
JAN: Your dream promoter invites you to play a party, and
he wants you to pick the location and the line up. Who would you
want to play, and where would it be?
DRC: Awwwww, man? Where would I be playing? Prague! Prague
is beautiful, even though its flooded right
now. Boy, the line up, the line up? Oh my God! Ahhhhh? You know
what, I don't even know if he is still playing out,
but someone who was a huge inspiration to me as far as skill is
DJ EFX from back in the days (91-92). He would jerk tears out
of my eyes, watching him spin. He was so inspiring. I mean, talk
about live remixing, he was amazing. I think DJ Hardware is an
incredible dj as well. I've thought that since I first met him
and saw him perform. Did you say the whole line up? Oh man, I
don't want to leave anybody out! Jr. Sanchez, I was really, really
impressed by. I'm really into djs with skill. That's for sure.
Boy. Let me see. I know I'm going to leave someone out you know.
JAN: It could be a one room party.
DRC: (lol) Gee, you know, I haven't heard you play yet
Jan. (lol)
JAN: (lol)
DRC: Boy, oh! T-1000, he's been a huge supporter of mine
for a long time, and he's really pushed me to get
my music release. So, I gotta say him, and he's very skilled as
well. You know what, DJ Denise (formerly DJ D), gotta give her
a little love. I've seen her perform, and she's really talented
and plays really energetic music.
JAN: That sounds like it would be a good line-up.
DRC: Fabulous!
JAN: What are your most favorite and least favorite qualities
about being a dj?
DRC: Least favorite, go with the bad first...(lol) Tired of
being tired with all that travel & screwed up hours. Really
tired of that, those exhaustion headaches just kill me. My most
favorite thing about djing is getting paid to see
the world, and meet all kinds of people from all walks of life. I
love people & music!!!
JAN: You are planning to move to New York City in the fall,
what inspired you to move there?
DRC: Many things really. One, my loved one is moving out
there for work. And, its just a really good opportunity for me
as well. I needed a change, time for some new stimulation.
I've been in the bay area for about 12 years now, and I'm ready
for some new energy, meet new people, make some new connections,
and meet up with old ones that I've only met over the phone &
email for years. Time to give New York City some love. Cause they
need it!
JAN: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
DRC: Oh, you know, like I haven't been asked this question
a zillion times. It changes from day to day. (lol) In 10 years,
I hope to see myself Singing and performing live. Writing lyrics
for myself and others. And hoping of course, that Undefined Musik
will be really solid by then, because I really want to produce
people and get them out there.
JAN: How do you plan to get there?
DRC: One release at a time. It takes time, money &
of course marketing. It's a learning process on how to be efficient
with time, money, and music chosen for the label, and making it
work as well.
JAN: If you could give struggling djs advice, what would
it be?
DRC: Its important to keep doing what you are doing. You
can't give up on your hopes and dreams. And, if you believe in
yourself, and you truly believe in what you are doing, and you
have a passion for what you are doing, others will believe in
you too! Be consistent with sending out packages, and don't stop.
You gotta spend every penny you have on promoting
yourself. Ha ha!
