Fridae

NYC-based DJ Junior Vasquez emerged as the singularly most admired and followed DJ in NYC and the world over after co-founding and being a resident DJ at the legendary Sound Factory which reopened as Twilo (now defunct) several years later. Prior to co-founding Sound Factory, the DJ/remixer/producer had already gained prominence for co-producing and remixing releases from artists such as Madonna, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Pet Shop Boys and others.

æ: ASOL (Age, Sex, Occupation, Location)

Junior: Born 1949, male, deejay/music producer/house music pioneer/record label honcho/NYC!

æ: Where were you born and where did you grow up?

Junior: Small town in Pennsylvania, about 100 miles from New York City.

æ: Did DJ'ing happen by chance or have you always wanted to get into it?

Junior: I moved to NYC when I was 17 years old, and I worked in fashion and as a haircutter until I started making mix tapes for my best friend, well-known artist Keith Haring. Keith loved to paint to my music. He became very famous just before he died in the late 80s. He was an incredible painter, and we would frequently go out to the Paradise Garage together.

æ: How did you get started and how did you get your big break?

Junior: I credit Keith with introducing me to the people who helped me open Bassline and later, the Sound Factory.

æ: Who is your biggest musical influence?

Junior: DJ Larry Levan from the Paradise Garage.

æ: What is your favorite current track? Which of your remixes are you most proud of?

Junior: I have three favourites right now, and actually they are very tracky and simple, much like the style of music that I made famous during my six years at the original Sound Factory. The tracks are DJ Billy Steele's incredible track called "What?!"; second, Ralph Falcon, "Break U" (Ralph's original and my remix which I just finished last week and just debuted at my residency at Cielo in NYC on Sunday); and lastly, Chus & Ceballos, "Go On!" - I love almost everything that Stereo Productions releases.

æ: Tell us about an artist we probably have never heard of, but you think has the potential to be the next big thing.

Junior: There are two people to watch out for: first, the best singer I've probably ever heard, whom I've had the pleasure of signing to my own label, Junior Vasquez Music, and just released his second album: Jason Walker. We just finished his first video which everyone should check out on youtube and his site (jasonwalkermusic.com). The first single from the new album is the Clivilles & Cole-inspired "I Can't Get You Off My Mind". His voice is out of this world! And as DJs and producers go, I would say that my manager Jerome Farley's new client (the ONLY other person I've ever let him spend time developing � because he's truly a gifted dj) is Billy Steele. I play his first-ever produced track ("What?!") and my manager and I are releasing it on the soon-to-be-relaunched Groovilicious Records. We've partnered with the original owner of that label to bring it back; the music industry desperately needs Groovilicious to return. All of the artists on the original Groovilicious (originally it was a Strictly Rhythm subsidiary) went on to have great success: Sander Kleinenberg, Robbie Rivera, That Kid Chris, Darude, Jonathan Peters, Chris Cox, Angel Moraes, Cevin Fisher... We're signing the next generation's DJ/producer superstars and relaunching it during the Winter Music Conference 2008 in Miami.

æ: Describe your most memorable set - where, when, and what happened?

Junior: The closing night of Arena at Palladium. It was massive. That year that I played there was very special. All the elements came together in perfect harmony, and we went from 10pm Saturday night straight through until 8pm Sunday night on the last week. It was like a concert, and everything was perfect.

æ: Describe your "process": you're known for epic sets which draw from incredibly eclectic and diverse influences. How do you craft your sets? Do you plan the entire evening ahead of time, or play as you go?

Junior: I never plan. Except my own mixes, I don't listen to music until I get to the club. I build my sets as I go - it bores me to plan things, but I definitely like to tease certain sounds from records as the night builds, and then I let them EXPLODE at just the right time.

æ: You've seen parties, and how people party, change over the years. Can you share with us your views on what the party culture in the US is now like, and where do you think it's going?

Junior: It goes up and down. Thankfully, the crystal methamphetamine and GHB drugs have started to disappear, so the feeling has come back. I think it's why I'm excited about elemental house music again. Everything got too fast and "tweaky", and now it's sexy, dark and inspiring.

æ: What can punters at Play expect from you?

Junior: Expect a short set - I wish it were longer actually, so I'm going to have to get right to the point.

æ: What would you be doing if you were not a DJ?

S Junior: till producing and writing music, working with all the great artists that I've had the chance to work with over the past 25 years.

æ: What inspires you?

Junior: Young producers who work hard and don't want to BE "Junior Vasquez"... the ones who love music and don't just love the celebrity factor that I probably created around DJs.

æ: Tell us about the person(s) you are seeing. If not, describe your ideal mate.

Junior: I leave my personal life private. I have a great life outside work with a lot of love and friendship around me.

æ: How do you spend your Sundays?

Junior: Quite often traveling, but if I get to be at home, I like to paint.

æ: Tell us about a cause that you support?

Junior: Rescuing dogs. I have three dogs (Oscar, Coco and Hector) that are very special to me, and I love gay causes and AIDS-related charities, but my heart is truly in making sure that dogs are treated humanely.

æ: Tell us something about you that even your mother doesn't know.

Junior: How much I miss her since she passed away in 2001. She was the most special person in the whole world, and I hope that she actually does know that from heaven.

Thank you, Singapore, for inviting me and coming out to hear me play. I am very excited to be here!

Catch Junior Vasquez at Play Bar and Club (21 Tanjong Pagar Road #01-02/04) in Singapore on Saturday, Nov 17 and/or at Tokyo's Ageha (2-10 Shinkiba 2-chome, Koto-ku) on Saturday, Dec 1.