These SoCal DJ’s Keep The Party Going

“Hey Mr. DJ, put a record on, I want to dance with my baby…”

By Alexander Rodriguez

Not so fast!  This pandemic has stopped the clubs from opening but it can’t stop the music.  With nightclub closures and cancellations of Prides across the State, our DJs have had to mix it up (pun intended) to keep the party going while keeping their sanity, all the while dealing with a loss of income, human touch, and free drinks.  The benefits?  With the advancement in technology, DJs have started live streaming from their music studios and living rooms, to create a new musical environment in the digital world.  Also a benefit – no drunkenly screamed, multiple requests for Britney’s Work Bitch.  Much like other LGBTQ nightlife personalities from drag queens to go-go boys, this new LGBTQ digital world has become extremely supportive of each other.  No competition or drama here, just strong encouragement, shared appearances, and some great mixes to get us through the day.  We Quarantined and Chilled with some of our favorite DJs from our favorite So Cal clubs and beyond to get the scoop. 

DJ Ryan Kenney  IG: @DJRyanKenney

DJ Ryan Kenney is an International DJ and Producer who has performed for private parties thrown by Elton John and David Furnish, David Geffen, Joel McHale, Perez Hilton, Lance Bass, and at Coachella, Sundance Film Festival, Aspen Ski Week, Gucci’s Grammy Party and major sporting events and music festivals, and on multiple US and EU tours, as well as clubs worldwide. He has been working for years with clients like Gucci, Nintendo, Mtn Dew, Power Bar, Breeders Cup, Absolut Vodka, Toyota.  Kenney also has been a music contributor on Lance Bass’s weekly SiriusXM Radio show as well as the Music Editor for Beverly Hills Lifestyle Magazine.  His Sunday Facebook live streams for HelpWeho.com have garnered thousands of streams and helped raise $20,000 for the cause in just one week. 

What was your first professional gig?  How have you changed the most personally from that first gig?

My first gig started with my best friend’s club opening. He asked me a week before it opened.  I only had my laptop and cheap amateur DJ software. DJing felt like a train wreck that night but the club was a huge success. After that, I got to practice 4 hours a week with that location as my first on-going gig.  A few months later, I was working consistently at lots of parties.  It’s hard to tell how much I changed personally. I’ve been DJing for so long, I can’t remember what I was like 11 years ago. But I have stayed true to being myself.  I never changed with the whims of different promoters; I just started my own parties which became extremely popular.

What really goes on at a private Hollywood party?

If I could remember, I would tell you.  

Craziest nightclub story:

I was DJing a private party when one of the guests spilled a glass of champagne on my mixer. I had a few gigs right after where I needed to make sure that my mixer was working correctly before going. After three gigs, I figured that it was fine. Later, I was booked for a huge New Years’ Eve at Nightingale Nightclub in Los Angeles.  About 40 minutes into my set, my mixer shorted out leaving only one side of it working (which means I couldn’t mix the songs together at all). We literally tried everything!  I started texting every DJ I knew to see who had a mixer. After what seemed like hours of faking it, my buddy DJ Brynn Taylor finally came through and brought me a Serato box. With that, I was forced to use keyboard shortcuts to DJ. It was an absolute nightmare!

Biggest pet peeve while in the DJ booth?

Patrons aggressively making requests (without a tip)

Most embarrassing song on your playlist?

Call Me Maybe

Celebrity you want to share your quarantine bed with:

Henry Cavill

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

Lego Masters

What would your drag name be?

Tara Newassole

Strangest thing you have done during quarantine:

Violently masturbated to ASMR videos on Tik Tok… Just kidding, haven’t done anything too weird.

Unique talent you have that’s non-DJ related:

I have a huge passion for design. I designed my house from the ground up.

Who would play you in a movie:

Same as my celebrity quarantine bedfellow, Henry Cavill.

Have you ever peed in the DJ booth?

Oh ya, I’ve had plenty of DJ sets that have been over 6 hours.

DJ Ryan Skyy  IG: @RyanSkyy

Ryan Skyy with two y’s?  WHY??  Because he’s that fabulous!  Ryan is a Los Angeles-based dance music producer, DJ, and songwriter with six No. 1 Billboard-charting remixes, a Top 40 Billboard-charting single, and a #9 iTunes US Top 40 Dance single. Skyy is also a Billboard-reporting DJ for the Dance Club Songs chart as well as a remixer with credits that include Madonna, Janet Jackson, Ariana Grande, and Lady Gaga.  He is the host of Life Rhythms on idobi Radio and teaches music to autistic youth…and he’s single!  Finally, someone you can take home to mom. 

 Where were you when your first heard you hit #1 on Billboard?  Who did you call first?

I was walking down a street in Chinatown and got a call from a colleague. The first person I called was my mom! Momma’s boy through and through!

What is your creative approach to creating a remix?

I start with the vocals by themselves and will usually loop the chorus. Then I start building different musical sounds and motif ideas around the chorus until I come up with a collection of melodies and instruments that excite me.  Then I work my way back to the beginning of the song through the arrangement, taking parts out as we go so the song can build up to the chorus (or drop).

Craziest nightclub story:

One night I was DJing at the Abbey, I started playing a Kesha song. The next thing I know I hear a group of people booing me next to the DJ booth.  I look over and it’s Dr. Luke – joined by his wife and employees – in the VIP booth next to me!  At the time there was a sexual assault legal battle going on between Dr. Luke and Kesha.  Dr. Luke wasn’t pleased to hear Kesha playing on the club system.  Awkward and hilarious.

Most embarrassing song on your playlist?

Shania Twain’s “Man I Feel Like a Woman”

Celebrity you want to share your quarantine bed with:

Tom Daley

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

Breaking Bad, binged all 5 seasons in 4 days!

What would your drag name be?

Chick Filayah

Worst date:

Once I had a guy go to the bathroom during our date and never return. He straight up bounced!!!

DJ GoodBoy Morgan  IG: @GoodBoyMorgan

GoodBoy, a native Angeleno and queer pioneer, has been spearheading creativity charged events in the LA queer scene since 2014 and has DJed all across the US and internationally with the same colorful energy you’ll find infused in any of her home base parties. From the stage, and now to your living room (or bedroom), she is a force you don’t want to miss.  I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with her for the first-ever Santa Monica Pride…her music is as infectious as her smile. 

Is there a glass ceiling when it comes to female DJs?

Our queer community altogether is rarely seen in the mainstream DJ world, let alone female DJs. Within the queer community, I’ve been enthusiastically accepted, and I’ve been able to grow without boundaries.   We are only a few generations away from gender and sexuality becoming obsolete so keep practicing and keep working your ass in those long hours to become a superstar, queer DJ. More people go to Pride than Coachella and this roll won’t quit.

Strangest thing you have done during quarantine:

 I started reading, going to bed early, waking up between 5 and 6 am, gave up booze, became a cyclist, followed a well-balanced diet, and saved money. This is coming from someone who was going to sleep between 5 and 6 am, chased Jameson with Cheetos, hadn’t touched a bike since grade school, definitely did not read (always shuffling through music), and spent every dollar I had in West Hollywood.  My friends and family are in shock. My body is ripped, and my brain is turnt. I love it.

Have you ever gone home with someone from the club after playing? 

Regrettable yes, one time when I first started DJing. At first, I thought this was my DJ rite of passage, but it became more agonizing by the hour until she finally left at 5 pm the next day.

Unique talent you have that is non-DJ related:

I’m incredibly crafty and am best known for being a creative visionary artist and producer. I make dreams come true at the end of my fingertips. This is also why my events are an interactive magical experience more than just a raging dance party.

Who would play you in a movie:

The same person who would play a hot version of Richard Simmons in the 80s.

Beyoncé or Gaga:

Gaga is an extraordinary human however, I shake my ass harder to Beyoncé who I also get far more requests for. The dance floor has spoken!

DJ Morningstar  IG: @MorningStarDJ

Morningstar has been acclaimed as one of the most talented, valued, and hottest DJs in the Nightlife Industry, earning a current total of 5 ‘Best DJ’ awards throughout Los Angeles and Las Vegas, all while releasing award-winning DJ.  He has been dominating dancefloors throughout Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Las Vegas, San Diego, O.C, Paris, London, S.F, Miami, and more, whether it be headlining or performing alongside superstar DJs such as Armin Van Burren, Deadmau5, Junior Vasquez and a host of others. He has also performed for AEG Live, opening in Concert for Kylie Minogue at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and for the Pet Shop Boys at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.  He is a crowd favorite at many of our favorite dance clubs on the Weho strip.

What was your childhood like?  Where did you grow up?

It was great with tons of fond memories, but since my dad had a very high profile profession (multiple nightclub owner, including creating and owning Rage in its early years, as well previous to my birth, “Chez Moi,” which was considered the “Studio 54” of the West Coast), there were a lot of ups and downs. I saw my parents go through so many rises and falls, but I wouldn’t take any of it back as it gave me lessons and experiences more valuable than money itself. It also gives me a major source of inspiration because I couldn’t imagine fighting through what they did, constantly going from their personal rock bottoms to back on their feet, even higher than ever. Their lives could be epic movies. So when I look back on my childhood, it feels very cinematic and special, especially sharing it with my younger and older brothers, lots of joy and enough pain to have made me just jaded enough, just strong enough, and certainly full of enough love to grow into the person I am now.

What does the name Morningstar mean to you?

I was going through song names from bands and artists I love since I gain most inspirations and ideas from those who I admire and connect with on an “artistic” level. One band called “AFI” ended their best album with a song called “Morningstar” and it was like fireworks went off. I knew that was it. Besides its obvious meaning (“Morning” / “Star”) which on a basic level clicks with DJing, it’s also another name for Venus (“the brightest shining star at early morning”), and even though I’m not religious at all, it has kind of dark biblical references that I like to have fun in irony with. In every one of its meanings, it’s described as ultimate power and brightness, “the brightest star” being the continuous definition.

Craziest nightclub story:

Man, so many to choose from. [Laughs] One that always sticks out is in my early days: I was in the DJ booth at Krave Las Vegas (which my dad also opened and owned before selling it, which is a crazy story in itself) and the booth was set way up high above the stage. Suddenly, I see Drew Barrymore climbing up the dangerously narrow stairway in this flowing dress. As I was spinning to over like two thousand people, she and I are just having an awesome conversation about music and taking selfies (I later learned she had a strict rule to not take pics with anyone) as people kept climbing up and trying to be part of the moment. The next day I look on Perez Hilton’s blog (this is when said blog was a big deal) and there are paparazzi-like pics of us in moments where they interpreted it as looking flirty. She was so sweet and had this super vibrant energy about her. You can really tell who’s a true star when you feel their energy in the flesh.

Biggest pet peeve while in the DJ booth?

People entering the DJ booth. Err… lemme be more specific: Drunk White Girls entering the DJ booth. It’s like a tornado of requests, spilled drinks, sometimes stumbling flirtation and often a device getting broken, plug being pulled… basically something happening to turn the music off occurring in the process.

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

“The Last Dance” is the answer I want give …. “Love Is Blind” is the one I’m ashamed to give.

Who would play you in a movie:

I’d love to say someone like Johnny Depp but I’m sure they’d cast Adam Driver or something, at least since he’s almost my height. Then again Keanu Reeves almost has my name and he’s bae, so he gets my vote.

Beyoncé or Gaga:

Bey.

Unique talent that’s not DJ related:

I got 1st place in an autocross racing event which, to be honest, I’m almost prouder of than DJing accomplishments since I’m such a driving nerd.

DJ Taj  IG: @DJTajSD

A Madonna obsessed DJ / producer based in San Diego, he’s been DJing for 20 years at some of SoCal hottest clubs and still doesn’t look a day over 29 and a half (allegedly).  In addition to his long-lasting residencies which keep him very busy, Taj’s hi-energy sets and stage persona often land him guest spots at other venues, as well as some of the most sought after events such as San Diego Cityfest, Hillcrest Mardi Gras & the official San Diego Pride Zoo Party. Throughout his career, Taj has had the honor to play alongside & open for some of the biggest DJs in the business including, Morgan Page, Dave Aude, Bright Lights, Moto Blanco, and the legendary Junior Vasquez. He’s also shared a stage with performers such as Kelis, Wynter Gordon, Alexis Jordan, Inaya Day & Jesse McCartney. His sets are best described as a high-octane fusion of house, progressive, and EDM with a strong affinity for a good powerhouse vocal. Taj’s passion for his craft is best experienced live where you can watch his enthusiastic performances and interaction with the crowd.

When did your obsession with Madonna first start?

It started in junior high school… As a closeted gay youth in Ohio, I didn’t really have a lot of people around me that seemed to embrace or accept the LGBT community. I felt being openly gay was still very “taboo” in Ohio back then. That was around the time Madonna released her documentary “Truth or Dare” which followed her on tour and really highlighted the deep relationships that she had with her (mostly gay) backup dancers. Watching that documentary was life-changing to me! She was a huge mainstream artist that was at a pinnacle of her career and was willing to risk it all to embrace, showcase, and fight for our community when no-one else seemed to want to acknowledge us! As cheesy as it sounds, she literally gave me the strength & confidence to embrace the part of me that I was hiding on the inside, which eventually led to my coming out a few years later. She has been a huge part of my personal growth & development into the proud “out” person I am today! But also, she had some major bops I liked to dance in my bedroom to!  

Craziest nightclub story:

Too many to talk about but I think one that sticks out in my head was the year that San Diego started their summer rolling electricity blackouts. I was DJing an event called Detour on a Sunday night at Hamburger Mary’s (Now Urban Mo’s) and at a peak set with a packed dance-floor – the electricity completely shut off. The crazy part was that people stayed and hung out in the dark. Management brought out a bunch of candles, flashlights, etc… Everyone kept the social gathering going in this surreal, rare moment… Enjoying the “WTF” of it all! The electricity did eventually come on after an hour or so and we got back to music & dancing! We referred to that as the “REAL Blackout Party”!

Biggest pet peeve while in the DJ booth?

My biggest pet peeve is an aggressive requestor! It’s cool if you want to make a request but to be demanding about it or not willing to take “no” as an answer is a whole other story! For me, when I’m in the booth, even though I look like I’m casually having fun, I’m in a trance-like “zone” or synergy with the crowd and the flow of my set. When someone comes to the booth to request a song and then wants to argue with me when I tell them I can’t play it, they are disconnecting me from the flow of craft. It really throws me off and sometimes the set suffers for it. I started barricading the booth some years ago so no one can get too close to me… That way, I can approach them at an appropriate time to take their request and walk away if I need to. 

Most embarrassing song on your playlist?

I embrace most music! I try not to be one of those snobby DJs that is “above” playing a huge bop from an artist that may be perceived as cheesy… I think I get the most embarrassed (or insecure) when I play something I’ve produced myself. I guess I’m afraid that all my hard work would fall flat and clear the dancefloor! Hasn’t happened yet but that’s still a fear I struggle with every time.

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

As cliché as it is, I’m going to have to go with Tiger King. Yes, it’s a train-wreck on so many levels and we shouldn’t be giving these awful human beings and kind of platform or notoriety but, once you start watching, you literally can’t stop. It’s like trying to take just one bite of a good cake… You know it’s bad for you. You only intend to sample it. Next thing you know, you’ve eaten the whole thing and your feeling gross & guilty about it! (But it was good)

Have you ever gone home with someone from the club after playing?

Duh!! I think that’s a prerequisite of becoming a DJ!! You haven’t truly honed your talent if you haven’t used the music and your moves to seduce someone. 

Beyoncé or Gaga:

Madonna

Have you ever peed in the DJ booth?

I don’t know if I’ve ever full-on peed in the DJ booth, but I’ve definitely peed on myself a little once or twice!!

DJ Euro Steve  IG: @DjEuroSteve

Raised in rural Wales in the United Kingdom, Steve moved to the United States in 1999 to pursue both a technical and DJ career.  His unique approach to spinning was influenced by classic nightlife in UK clubs such as Heaven, Limelight, Cream, Ministry of Sound, and Gatecrasher, and he honed his international mix grooves through frequent trips to Ibiza, Barcelona, Berlin, Gran Canarias, and Montreal.  His signature musical style and eclectic tastes include vocal dance remixes, EDM, flashbacks, vocal house, electronic and trance genres with a special European club flavor, which has resulted in a brilliantly diverse following of dancers and drinkers.

Currently based in Los Angeles, California, DJ Eur-O-Steve spins his bump and grind tunes and presents a unique global mix of popular hits for well- known LA establishments like Micky’s, Revolver, The Abbey, Precinct, The London and Eagle LA on a regular basis. While in San Francisco, he spins at The Lookout, SF Eagle, Powerhouse and Lone Star, and in Las Vegas at annual Gay Pride pool parties. He also spins at global brand special events like Folsom Street Fair, Tea Dances, Pool Parties, and special warehouse dance events like DenLA; along with Bear events like Lazy Bear Weekend and Bearometer Events.  He is also known to donate his services to support local community charities. Steve has fun wherever he is, and that energy transcends to anyone in the room.

 What was it like growing up in the music scene in the UK?

Fantastic! The scene would change so fast with new events, parties, and clubs changing every week.  Word of mouth was the strongest promotion since there were so many choices and intense competition.  I’d enjoy some of the many iconic clubs like Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Cream, Heaven, and Trade.  Uh oh!  I’m having blurry, crazy flashbacks!

Let’s talk about DJing at sex club parties.  Is anyone listening to the music?  What’s happening? 

I have to say, when I started spinning at larger warehouse events, I didn’t think anybody was really listening to the music and that it was just background noise.  So, with that in my mind, I just played what I felt like at the time and went on all sorts of musical journeys.  Cut to today, it’s evolved and grown in a social arena.  For example, I was surprised by the dancers’ responses to the music being more house than hard and their enjoyment of the vocals and variety.

Craziest nightclub story:

Playing on the beach at a music festival in Spain, such a fun event to work – they sent a large farm tractor (used to set up the various stages) to take me to and from the hotel, my “driver” was just hysterical. So here I am on the back of this huge tractor and he insists on pulling up to the lobby and causing such a commotion. That’s certainly an entrance!

Biggest pet peeve while in the DJ booth?

COASTERS!  God!  I sound like my mother! They always say you’ll end up like your parents! The booth can get all sticky from everybody setting their drinks down.  In fact, I did a tax write off recently for a bulk purchase of recycled branded eur-o-steve coasters to solve the problem!

Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

Schitt’s Creek and The Magicians!

What would your drag name be?

Spudulikka

Have you ever gone home with someone from the club after playing?

Oh, back in the day, yes!  But they had to help breakdown and pack-up before leaving the event– call it DJ foreplay!

Have you ever peed in the DJ booth?

No – another “pet-peed”! Apparently, with longer sets you’re expected to in a Gatorade bottle or something?! I will time a longer track, run like a complete idiot to the loos (hopefully the space has staff bathroom!), shout at myself to hurry up as I’m counting down the track in my head.  I have never miss-timed it yet, although close with 1-second left……

DJ John Joseph  IG: @DJJohnJoseph

John Joseph is a DJ / Producer from San Diego California and an event producer.  He currently holds residencies up and down the West Coast, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, & Phoenix with some of the top gay and straight nightclubs playing a mix of his big room EDM.  Some of John’s greatest accomplishments include getting to open for top names such as Tiesto and Calvin Harris and hosting a radio show on Sirius XM’s Pandoria.  On the event producer end, he has brought some of the largest EDM parties to the gay community in multiple cities and continues to recreate gay nightlife with new and inventive events.

 There seems to be an idea of the masculine straight DJ in the straight world, is there a division between gay and straight DJs? 

I think there used to be but, as we have progressed, gay EDM DJs have been widely accepted into the “straight” DJ world.  Sadly, there aren’t a lot of EDM Gay DJs, most gay DJs are set on the circuit sound that isn’t widely accepted in the straight world.  I am happy that I picked the EDM DJ life, it has let me travel the world DJing at some of the biggest night clubs alongside some of the biggest names!

What is your favorite city to play in, why?

I will always go back to my San Diego roots, I just love the atmosphere, the people that come out, and just all the familiar faces. It was home for a good part of my life and where I got started and I do love it and miss it very much!

Craziest nightclub story:

I think the craziest night club story would be… and, I’m not going to name the club I was in, but I went to order a drink from the bar, and the bartender said do you want me to stir it for you, I said sure why not, so he puts the drink down, pulls his pants down, pulls his D out and puts in the drink and gives it a stir! It was a great drink but very crazy!

Biggest pet peeve while in the DJ booth?

People requesting music

Most embarrassing song on your playlist?

A remix of Moon River

 Favorite quarantine binge watch TV show:

Hollywood

Have you had FaceTime sex?

Yes!

Have you ever gone home with someone from the club after playing?

Yes, on several occasions!

DJ Michael Paul  IG: @DJMichaelPaul

California resident DJ/Producer, Michael Paul the Pride DJ, has opened for superstars Kelly Rowland, Estelle, and Robyn. He is an event producer and has appeared spinning on television shows such as “The Nation’s Hottest” featured on the Travel Channel and Mel B’s “It’s a Scary World” on the Style Network. Over the past decade, Michael Paul has become known as “The Sound of Pride” as he DJ’s massive PRIDE events playing all the pride favorites mixed in with EDM and remixed top-40. Of course, spinning at places such as The Abbey, and Mickys in WeHo, Rich’s nightclub in San Diego, where he spins the massive outsize parade party, and dozens of pride events around the US each year. Over the past 8 years, you may have also heard Michael Paul spin inside the happiest place on earth, Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure, as Michael Paul is one of the resident Disney DJs there. On the producer side, Michael Paul is a former Billboard Reporting DJ, he has produced tracks for cruise ships, firework shows, and even the opening track for the LA Lakers. 

You are the Pride DJ.  With Prides being canceled, what is the most important thing we do for next year’s Prides?

I think setting the precedence that we will be back, we will pick up, and I think this will make us all more appreciative of one another. With such limited contact right now, once we do all get back together, we won’t take it so much for granted.

Working for Disney as a resident DJ.  Disney is family-friendly, but your parties are like EDM gold – are there the same shenanigans that happen at a Disney party that happen at a night in Weho? 

WeHo vs Disney is way different. I have had families dancing the night away and it’s super cute because turning these little kids on to EDM music inspires their life in ways I can’t describe. Then there are nights where everyone is wasted and, by the end of the night, could give a crap who was DJing. Unfortunately, clubs don’t give DJs the recognition as much as they used to.

Craziest nightclub story:

 Almost naked in the DJ booth spinning at 4 am because it was so hot, basically undies.

Biggest pet peeve while in the DJ booth?

DONT TOUCH THE STUFF and keep your drinks away!

Have you ever gone home with someone from the club after playing?

NEVER ;-/

Unique talent you have non-DJ related:

I’m a hypnotist

Beyoncé or Gaga:

GAGA for SURE!

Have you ever peed in the DJ booth? 

Oh ya, and someone was like, I did not know you drank apple juice. [Laughs]

You can catch the full interviews with our favorite DJs at www.OntheRocksRadioShow.com!

• Alexander Rodriguez, writer and podcaster IG: @AlexanderisOnAir