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Q u a r t e r l y - T i p
Global DJ: Eddie Amador Interview
Spring 2006[Editor's Note: Eddie Amador became an international overnight sensation in 1998 when he released House Music, which was immediately signed to Deep Dish's Yoshitoshi label and was licensed extensively. A year after Eddie's House Music track rocked clubs worldwide, he released Rise, which catapulted to the UK's Top-20 national chart soon after its release. This confirmed Eddie's status as a hit-maker. In 2001, Eddie started his own label, Mochico Primo, which was created specifically as an outlet for his more soulful and adventurous ideas. His success as a music producer has led to voting membership in the prestigious Grammy Recording Academy.]
Disc Jockey 101: How did you first get involved with the DJ profession?
Eddie Amador: I got into DJ'ing as a result of a hobby I began at Arizona State University (ASU). I was an engineering student who loved music. I was first drawn to hip hop and rap. However, one late night out in Phoenix, I ran across a club called "Out of Water." It was after being at a hip hop party very late and the first time I heard industrial and acid house mixed with other "alternative" music. Those nights began my departure from rap to house music.
Disc Jockey 101: How did you make the transition from DJ to music producer?
Eddie Amador: I realized that after doing so many clubs and having many good DJ sets -- that I would need to produce to be on a larger scale. After graduation from ASU, I denied the offer of a lucrative engineering career to pursue house music. I decided to give my life to the music 100% for a few years and live in a warehouse downtown; and only live from the income of DJ'ing. If things did not work out, I could always go back to get a PhD or Masters degree. I believe knowledge is power.
While living in the warehouse (also known as CHUPA!), we had many guests DJ's that were "big." It was obvious that they were "big" because they produced. If I wanted to get to the next level, I needed to contribute to the vinyl that the DJ's played. I needed to produce. I also strongly believe that the best producers began as DJ's!
Disc Jockey 101: Is it better to first learn how to DJ and then evolve into a producer, or vice versa?
Eddie Amador: I think it is better to DJ first ... definitely!
Disc Jockey 101: Your tracks House Music and Rise became international hits. Are there any lessons that new DJ-producers can learn from your success?
Eddie Amador: I think the main thing that I can say is -- learn your equipment! Again, knowledge is power. Learn everything there is about the software or hardware that you are using! In this day, there are so many new products arriving that it is easy to think that you need to keep buying stuff while never mastering the equipment that you have. I know many producers who fall into this trap. At the same time, you should keep informed with magazines.
Disc Jockey 101: Please name some of the notable clubs/venues where you have performed?
Eddie Amador: Ministry of Sound (UK/Ibiza/Bilbao); Stereo (Montreal); Crobar (Miami/Chicago); Space (Ibiza/Miami); PACHA (Ibiza/Madrid/Barcelona); Centrofly (NYC); Hanon88 (Jerusalem); Angels of Love (Napoli); and Myst (Scottsdale).
Disc Jockey 101: What are some of the pros and cons of touring the world as a DJ?
Eddie Amador: The pros are many. I love the fact that I can hear and see the various forms of house music and the effects on the dancefloor. For example the "sounds" of South America tend to be much more drum/tribal influenced -- while at the same time -- in Europe, the sound is more "electro" sounding. Of course, you also get to try different foods, see different cultures and meet many people.
Disc Jockey 101: What is the single biggest piece of advice that you can offer to a new DJ?
Eddie Amador: Get a regular gig where you can play every week. A day job is good to have also because in your spare moments you can plan and appreciate your sets and the music you will possibly program that evening. I used to listen to my walkman cassette player at my intern engineering jobs. The cassette would have new music that I had just bought and rough mixes that I would attempt when I had the time. I would analyze these at my desk during the early-morning or at lunch. It looked like I was busy when others passed by ... I used Sony earbuds ... love 'em.
Disc Jockey 101: Is there an advantage to being a dance music DJ from the United States?
Eddie Amador: If you are a successful stateside DJ, in the eyes of Europe, there is a big advantage! That means you have produced big records in Europe or played monumental gigs here in the USA that Europe knows about.
Disc Jockey 101: What is the status of hip hop in Europe?
Eddie Amador: Hip hop is growing. However, it does not have the long history and depth that dance music has in Europe.
Disc Jockey 101: What are your future plans?
Eddie Amador: I have a lot that would take up many more pages but let's just say that I am in pursuit of a GRAMMY for either remixer of the year or electronic album of the year. These are relatively new categories that have developed since my membership in the GRAMMY Association in 2000.
Industry News
* DJ Timothy Heit has discovered that his cell phone and its mini-USB connection enabled him to connect to Rane Serato -- whereby the cell phone became an external hard drive providing iTunes tracks to his Serato DJ program. As cell phone technology evolves, Heit's discovery could be monumental to club and mobile DJ's who may need to purchase songs on the fly.
* Allen & Heath has released the Xone Series 3D DJ mixer. The mixer is the result of a creative collaboration with Ableton and incorporates the seamless integration of computer-based digital media into the traditional DJ workspace (i.e., mappable MIDI controls). See Allen & Heath Xone:3D.
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