SWFL has really been spoiled these past two years with big headlining DJ's from all around the world at some of the best parties put on by the BIG 3 -- JC (RABBITHOLE), BEAMIN ENT. (DAYGLOW), Guy Clarke (DIRTYHOUSE ENT) -- but there has only been one DJ that knows how to grind the best, the one who melted the faces off MIXTAPE's most dedicated fans for an epic 2 hours set last tuesday -- DJ HEAVYGRINDER !!
"MUSIC IS MY LIFE AND MY LOVER" -- DJ Heavygrinder
But before she set the dancefloor on fire, DJ TELSO got an exclusive interview with L.A.'s finest... (NO, I'm not talking about the badge wearing donut slayers -- PAY ATTENTION)... This talented DJ/Producer gave me an inside look as to how she makes the crowd go bonkers from behind the decks.
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HEAVYGRINDER: (smiles) Oh, anytime.
TELSO: I know you are about to wreck MIXTAPE, and we all are excited to see what you got in store for us. So I know you have been recently signed by Steve Aoki's DIM MAK label, when did you get signed and what was your first reaction?
HG: I was very happy (smiles), was signed after collaborating with other producers this year like ACCESS DENIED and a few others.
TELSO: So should we be expecting a release soon?
HG: Yeah, this coming Fall I got some tracks coming out on DIM MAK.
TELSO: Now, you've been producing for a while, beatport shows tracks as early as 2008 releases. But when did you start producing tracks and living in the studio?
HG: I started producing tracks since 2006, yeah.
TELSO: Cool, almost a decade.
HG: Yeah (smiles)
TELSO: So what genre did you start listening to before you stepped into the game? Which one stole your heart in 98' ?
HG: Well, I started of playing Hardhouse and DnB back in the day, but umm... hmmm... what would it be? (smiles/ponders)... there is just sooo much, and I love every genre... so if you ask me to pick only one, it would be very hard.
TELSO: But when I scope out your releases on BEATPORT, I noticed that there is a lot of Electrohouse and Breakbeat releases...
HG: Yeah, most of them are.
TELSO: Now you have played at some of the largest festivals and events around the world. Which one those were the most memorable?
HG: Wow... (laughs)... that's also hard to answer. I've played for so many big ones like EDC in Orlando... ummm...
GUY CLARKE: ... Coachella?
HG: Ahhhh yess... (giggles)... Coachella !!! And many events in Ibiza and even Japan.
GUY: Wait, you played at EDC in Orlando?
HG: Yeah !! Wait, were you guys were there? (giggles)
GUY/TELSO: (simultaneously) Yeah !!
GUY: That's when the big thunderstorm passed by for about 15-30 minutes or so...
HG: Really?? (laughs)
TELSO: (laughs) it was quick though, maybe you weren't there yet. So speaking about quick, you moved up very quickly in the EDM scene. What does the future have in store for you? Where do you want to take it next?
HG: Well, I've been in this since 2001... and obviously this is my dream, and music is my life and my lover (laughs)... so like I am in many way living my dream (smiles)
TELSO: Very nice. So as you are living your dream and playing for the masses, what is your weapons of choice? (pulling out the hypothetical gun, lol)
HG: (laughs) Well I started on turntables spinning records back in the day, but now I basically use Serato to all my shows which I run off my MacPro (pulls out her DJ HEAVYGRINDER branded Mac)
TELSO: So as a producer in the studio, what is your weapon of choice? DAWs and Plug-ins?
HG: I mainly use Logic, sometimes Ableton. Even Fruity Loops...
TELSO: * ahem * FL Studios? (laughs) You must have started early in FL before they renamed it...
HG: Yeah, well I started back in the day using FL Studios, and it's a really great software. It's not what you use but how you use it, just like DJ'ing.
TELSO: WOW... I have been preaching that concept to a lot of noobies and purists for years... (laughs)
HG: (laughs)
TELSO: So what is your favorite Plug-In/VST at the moment??
HG: MASSIVE !!!!
TELSO: (laughs) WOW, that was a quick !!
HG: (roll eyes, smiles) Yeah, I love it.
TELSO: Well, MASSIVE is MASSIVE. I feel like Native Instruments did a very good job giving such a tool at an affordable price to the mainstream producing markets and aspiring producers.
HG: I use it a lot on my tracks.
TELSO: So switching gears since it's almost about that time to sink your teeth into the crowd... which by the way... what are some of the tracks you will be dropping tonight?
HG: Ohhhh... I got a lot of great tracks for MIXTAPE tonight (grinning)
TELSO: Like?
HG: (boots up Mac, and points at...) roeVy -- Blacksmoke (Modek Remix)
TELSO: Oh hell yessss... I can see what you are cooking up (smiles)
HG: I got lots of good "Trap Music" -- everyone will love (smiles)
TELSO: So you gonna give us some progressive grimmy electro dubb'ish rubb'ish goodness... very nice. MIXTAPE will love you !!!
HG: (smiles)
TELSO: So like I'm down to my last three questions... and you are off the hook !!!
HG: Awww... NO !!! This is great, I'm having fun !!
TELSO: Which one producer do you absolutely have to collaborate with before DJ HEAVYGRINDER hangs it up??
HG: Ummm... damn. That's a good question. No one has ever asked me that one before. Hmmm... well, actually... I would say definitely DR DRE !!!
TELSO: Whooaoa what??? (laughs)
HG: Yeah, he is a genius.
TELSO: So you gonna make us some "Gansta Trap Tracks" ?? (laughs)
HG: Hell yeah (laughs)
TELSO: (laughs) So I had a lot of fun interviewing you, full of laughter and good insight. People will blow up my phone now thanks to you and ask me all about you... so if I remember anything about you... what's ONE quality of yours that you'd like me to tell them?
HG: (shy) I... hmm... probably that I am "soft-spoken"
(the entire room nods in agreement -- lol)
TELSO: I would definitely have to agree with you on that one. You've been very humble and down-to-earth, unlike other well known DJ/Producers in your caliber. Refreshing. So last question, more of a fun trivial question...
What is ONE item you can absolutely NOT leave home without before a gig besides your gear???
HG: (laughs) Eyeliner !!!
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So as we wrapped up our interview sesh we all headed from the INDIGO HOTEL to MIXTAPE at the INDIGO ROOM, and needless to say she fucking destroyed it. Her set was flawlessly and effortlessly mixed, and would often interact with the crowd asking the crowd on the mic "How you feeling MIXXXXTAPE !?!?"
I sure hope that many of the young and veteran DJ's in the crowd took notes on WHAT a great showman (or showwoman) looks like and how critical it is to get your crowd to feel your energy. It's not about the weapon of choice or the cool new shades you're rocking. But rather, the track selection and seamless transitions that keep the crowd going bonkers.
What about the cherry on top?? MIXTAPE stepped up its game and hired an amazing pro laser lightshow that was specifically installed just for DJ HEAVYGRINDER to deliver jawdropping results -- and it worked !!! The beefed up sound and lighting was the perfect extra touch, and goes to show how MIXTAPE goes the extra mile for each and every fan out there.
But for shows like this to keep coming, the support has to keep flowing.
When talking to Dobson & Clarke, they both said the same thing... "WE DO THIS FOR THE FANS" ... so for those who think that these two guys are making mega-bucks throwing shows... think again...
...wait, that requires a brain cell or two and head completely ejected from ass to fully grasp this extremely obvious and simple fact/truth.
But I digress, these guys like other great events hosts/promoters like JC and BEAMIN ENT, are not getting rich off this shit -- they do it for YOU, just like OTHERS did it for them back when they were fresh to the scene... It's alllll about giving back and spreading a thing call "P.L.U.R"
So get out and support your local scene !!!
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