Kitty the Disc Jockey | Respect the DJ Interview
Kitty the Disc Jockey sat down with Stereotype to talk about her DJ journey.
How did you get your name?
My initials are KK- and I grew up with an aunt named Kit who was a true free spirit. She was a vagabond and a poet and an animal lover. I use this name in tribute and because of her love of all things music and art.
Where are you from?
Staten Island, born and raised!
How did you get into DJing?
I suppose I've always been the DJ- ever since I was a kid! I just didn't know it. I'd show up at high school parties with a suitcase- a real 70s pleather suitcase- filled with LPs. I've always been all-vinyl and I think I've always known what to bring, how to arrange the songs, how to keep a party going.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
YOUTUBE! When I decided that I wanted to host my own all-vinyl dance party, I didn't know who was already out there doing it. In a way, I thought I was inventing something. I've always just done the things that I dreamed up without ever recruiting people- so, as a solo flyer, I thought I'd dive deep into something I thought was cool: old videos of Northern Soul events from the 60s and 70s. This was the spark that started Sunset Dance Party at Leidy's....and that went on for years. All vinyl. Then I practiced at home. Lots.
What did your first set up look like?
Sad. So sad. One turntable was borrowed from a friend. It was an old, home-stereo Panasonic. The tonearm was attached to the machine with Crazy Glue. I must admit it sounded great. On the other side was my own stereo deck, nothing fancy. I invested in a broken Numark mixer and fixed it myself. I had a pile of records in a cardboard box. That was it!
What does your current setup look like?
I frequently play in places where I need my own system- but I'm a big wimp and don't want to have to carry the super heavy 1200s with me. I have a Panasonic mixer but you have to understand that I'm what's called a "selector". I'm not playing with the music and I'm not creating my own art with it, like so many of my friends do. Selectors are real curators. I'm not saying other DJs are not curators, but DJs like me come from a different culture (and we tend to be pretty old hahaha). All of the DJ cultures deserve respect- DJs carry a ton of tradition with them and bring something that the world needs. It's art! I'll always support the fact that DJs are artists.
If you could produce for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?
I LOVE producing. You may not know this, but I worked as an audio engineer and designer on tour with Broadway shows and worked on rock stages here in the city. I've done decades of audio work. I've also worked as a vocal coach. I love to listen! Steering artists in the right direction is very fulfilling. If I could produce anyone? I love singers. I love dynamics and emotion. Linda Ronstadt. I have a quirky edge that would love to work with Shilpa Ray or Pill or Pottery. Courtney Barnett. First Aid Kit are amazing singers.
What is your goal when you create?
I change my mind all the time. I rearrange. Then I think, "nope. I gotta be me." and put it all back the way I instinctually set up my list. I take it very personally. If I am doing something live, I love taking chances. If it's a playlist, I'm painstakingly annoying to myself. Gotta let the instincts take over.
What's your go-to song right now?
So happy you asked that! I have a few. Mario Bondi's This is What You Are. I can't stop listening to Liquefy by Iguana Death Cult. Anything by Róisín Murphy- she is the disco goddess we need now. Adesha is amazing.
What is your dream as a DJ?
I love talking about music, I love analysis. I've begun reviewing for someone's blog and I'm digging that. I think, if I can muster up an ounce of discipline, I'd like to write about and artist I love, or about the art of DJing.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a DJ?
You don't have to do anything that someone else does. You can take this thing and mold it. Be yourself and never be scared to throw in a curveball. Have you seen the video of Mel C throwing Come as You Are by Nirvana into that Spice Girls mix? Who saw that coming? The crowd loved it. Do what you want even when you feel the pressure from the floor.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kittyvinyldj
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/kittythedj
Website: http://kittythedj.com
Photography credit: Kristopher Johnson (b/w), Mark Martucci (color)
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