Hitting the dance floor with DJ Stone
DJ Stone calls himself a redneck DJ with cautious pride. The term may be divisive, he admits, but the sets he spins are anything but. Mixing a little bit of everything from pop to electronica to R&B and beyond, the Denver-via-Alabama DJ’s southern charm and urban sensibilities have made him a hit on Charlie’s dance floor.
Stone, who just won the title of “Denver’s Ultimate DJ 2013,” talks about Colorado’s ever-burgeoning dance and music scene, which tracks sizzled on the floor this summer and his loyalty to Denver’s LGBT bars and clubs.
Kristin Ziegler: Congratulations on your recent win in the 2013 Denver’s Ultimate DJ Battle!
DJ Stone: I had such a blast! It was so amazing battling such amazing new and seasoned talent. I was so nervous going into the competition, and even more so when found out I was a finalist! I was really in shock when I was named the winner. Even a month later, I don’t feel like it’s quite sunk in completely.
The contest was at Charlie’s, your DJ “home base,” so to speak. What landed you at this bar?
It really happened by chance. I had just moved back to Colorado in 2011 and was working at a local tanning salon in Denver. One of my friends told me that Charlie’s had a DJ position available out of the blue and threw my name in the ring. I went down and applied formally and got the job. The rest is history. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be their resident party DJ.
What inspired you to become a DJ?
I’ve always had a love for music since I was old enough to speak. When I reached the age of 16, living in Alabama, I discovered the eclectic world of dance and electronica. I had heard numerous recordings of big name DJs — spent a good chunk of my money on them as well — and thought, This is what I want to do! I want to mix music, make the crowd dance, feel the bass and create a party! Well, that didn’t happen until I was about 19 and started mixing digitally on my own. I did that for several years, releasing demo albums to friends and family, but never lost the desire to do it live. I thought, I want to do this live. I have to do this live! I got the opportunity doing a few private parties for high schoolers in Alabama when I was about 27, which was nice, but not what I had in mind. When I moved back to Colorado and got the opportunity at Charlie’s — that was my first club gig. It was exactly what I thought it would be, and I haven’t looked back!
Rolling Stone recently ranked Beta the best dance club in the nation, with a couple of other Colorado venues also placing on the list. With so many great places for music around the state, are there any other local venues you’d like to play?
All of them! That would be really cool, but a few places really stick out. I would love to DJ at Tracks at least one night. I’ve always enjoyed hearing the DJs spin there. Beta is another one. Who wouldn’t want to play at the best dance club in the nation? I’d always remain faithful to my home base, but there’s something exciting about getting a gig at other venues.
Have you DJed any straight bars or clubs? Is playing at an LGBT venue something that is particularly important to you?
I can’t say I’ve ever done a straight bar. Granted, the high school parties I did back in my hometown were straight, so to speak. I can’t say I would never play at a straight club, but I would always come back to my GLBT brothers and sisters. I support my community wholeheartedly, but I think it’s important to promote myself and my community outside of the comfort zone!
Which DJs, local or international, inspire you?
Wow! There’s a lot of them! DJ Flowers, Tony Moran, Chris Cox, R3hab, Ranny, Country Club Martini Crew, Joe Gauthreaux, Trypsin, Altar, Dave Aude, Eddie Baez, Sinna-G, DJ Pornstar, Rogerio Lima, Hector Fonseca, I mean… I could go on for a long time with this list!
A lot of major artists are releasing new albums this fall, including Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and the critics’ darling, Janelle Monae. Are there any upcoming tracks that you’ve heard and love or are anticipating hearing?
I’ve been very intrigued by Gaga’s technically unreleased “Aura” It’s just very mysterious. I’m excited to hear what Jessie J is going to put on the table — I love her!
Based on your own audience’s reactions, what would you say was the hottest track of Summer 2013?
“Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke. Not just the track, but the whole album. It’s dirty, it’s raunchy, it’s sexy and the crowd loves it!
When you spin, what are you hoping your audience is feeling and experiencing?
It really depends on what I’m spinning. However, I really feed off what they’re experiencing. I see what they’re responding to, what they’re feeling, and go from there.
