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ABOUT 
by
Rob Evanoff
Angelique's
musical journey began at an early age with the club scene in Los Angeles
as the backdrop of her musical journey. Singer, songwriter, musician,
DJ; Angelique's experience spinning spans more then 10 years. Her first
full length CD, with her band The Indians, featured
songs in the hit film Reality Bites, and the title track for the movie
Kalifornia featuring Brad Pitt. But when her CD titled
Present (solo project), failed to be released when the label went bust,
she went back to her roots (while writing for her next record) and was
asked to be the resident DJ and music director for Baby's grand opening
at the HardRock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. A smashing success, she
was then tempted away to Club Ra, just down the strip.
After a year in Vegas, traveling back and forth, it was time to go back
to Los Angeles.
During
this time of spinning at the uber-clubs of Las Vegas, to NYC hotspots,
Extreme Sporting Events, World Cup Surfing, private parties for Vogue,
GQ, and celebrities, helped her gain notoriety for versatility. She
has been a resident DJ around Los Angeles, Hollywood, at the private
and prestigious Buffalo Club, Club Joya, and her own night at the Bar
Marmont, dubbed the Beat Boutique She has also had regular stints in
New York at Filter 14 and The Park.
When it
comes to record selection, Angelique doesn't want to be pigeon holed
for one particular style, so don't be surprised if you find her spinning
house (her mainstay) then hip hop or break beats/big beat/electronic/punk
rock or drum n bass for the occasion. "Versatile, bold and beautiful,"
as the promoters of the Summer of Love series once proclaimed, DJ Angelique
should be the sound of your next event!
AADJ recently
caught up with her just before she headed off to New York for a month.
1)
Is Angelique your DJ name and / or real name (either
way, it’s very cool)?
Yes, Angelique
is my real name…and thank you!
2)
What’s your favorite part of being a DJ?
When you are playing for a huge crowd of people, and you can see all
happy faces!!
3) Tell us about being a part of “The In Crowd”
on Thursdays at Boardners in LA?
The In
Crowd is put on by Peter Koloff and Joseph Christopher. Joseph is a
big DJ himself, and owns one of the best record stores in Hollywood!
So far, we have had a lot of really wonderful people stopping in…Crystal
Method, Static Revenger, Pete Lorimer. The residents there include Rebecca
Sin and Eve Falcon, both of whom I think are awesome!
4)
What are your thoughts on the burgeoning scene in Los Angeles.
There’s quite a slew of up and coming DJs that are set for a break
through?
To be honest
with you, I don’t participate in the LA scene as much as I should.
Because I am also a singer songwriter, a lot of my time is spent in
the studio. In some ways I am probably out of the loop. But my love
and passion for DJing keep me at the record stores, and always searching
for that new favorite track!
5)
You were filmed as a part of a documentary at WMC this year called “Four
on the Floor” (now titled "Peace, Love and Beats"...one
of your very own sayings). I just saw a rough cut…it was a scene
with you and Dave Aude riding in a limo from the airport. Tell us about
the film and what was your favorite part?
The film
(directed by Mike Burns) is documentary style, basically about Jennifer
Warner, who is the editor of Raves.com, and her three close friends,
all of whom happen to be involved in, and love dance music. But I think
it’s also really about everyone at the WMC this year and the significant
dichotomy that developed when the war started. The fact that we were
all having a brilliant time when things were so serious, felt odd. But
I feel like music is always a crucial part of life’s soundtrack.
6)
Where in the world would you love to play?
The Pyramids, Europe (I use to play in London when I used to live there,
but haven’t been back since), a beautiful tropical Island. Everyone
make a mental note, I am playing Puerta Vallarta on Halloween!!!
7)
There are a lot of female DJs this year that are keeping the scene flourishing,
from DJ Rap to Baby Anne to DJ Colette to Rebecca Sin to DJ Mea. This
is good to see (and hear). You’re now a part of it. How do you
feel about potentially becoming a role model?
First,
let me say thank you for such a nice compliment. I feel so blessed to
be able to do what I love for a living. Spinning and making music…I’d
say the most important thing for all of us to learn and try to do, is
count each day as an opportunity to live life to the fullest. If I could
potentially send a message to everyone it would be that, don’t
waste time here, or you will just have to come back again in another
life to figure that out.
8)
Have you released your own production or mix yet?
In the works, just negotiating with a label right now for my new and
well, first mix CD. Also, working on music on a daily basis, which I
hope eventually will be released. I will keep you posted!!
9)
Who are some of your favorite DJs? Producers?
That is
quite a loaded question, seeing as my musical tastes run everywhere
from rock, latin, hip hop, and of course electronic. But, to name a
few? Well, of course Static Revenger because we work together a lot…Deep
Dish, Jesse Saunders, Miguel Migs, Marques Wyatt, Jason Bentley, David
Alvarado…You know, this list could just go on and on…
10)
Any guilty pleasures, musically?
No guilt, all pleasure!
11)
Rumour has it that you recently had a “jam session” with
Seal. How did that go?
It is
true, we did actually play a little guitar together. It was a special
magical night with some very close dear friends, and an evening I don’t
think any of us will forget. Seal has his new record coming out, and
it sounds great!!!!
12)
You also fell off of a stage at a Giant/Gen Art party? That looked painful.
Did it leave a scar?
No scars
thankfully…and to be honest, I don’t remember the fall.
Let’s just say Merlot and me were a little too well acquainted
that evening.
13)
The dance community has thrived because it’s a shared collective
experience. What’s your opinion on the current state of the dance
music industry, which has been hit pretty hard and has seen the shuttering
of labels, magazine and vinyl shops?
There are
always ups and downs in life…if the cycle is low right now, the
only way to go from here is up!
14)
Breaks and electro are hot right now. What do you see as the next trend
in music? How do trends affect your record selection or do you just
pick out music that moves you?
I love
a great track, whether it is breaks, rock, house etc…but, I do
go with my ears and pick what I like. Of course, it’s great to
hear other DJ’s, to pick their brains if they play a track you
like and don’t know what it is. I also have a lot of great friends
with good ears, and we tend to like to tell each other about a good
track. Especially because there are more bad tracks than great.
15)
What’s your favorite club?
I don’t
have a favorite club, but wherever I am, if I am with good company,
is my favorite place.
16)
You’ve got a great sense of style. What are your favorite places
to shop?
If I told
you, I would have to kill you. (just kidding) In L.A. I think everyone
kind of knows the staples…ie...Fred Segals, Resurrection…but
I also love to find a good vintage piece that’s one of a kind.
Oh, and my mom’s closet!
17)
I wish the mainstream media would take the focus off drug use within
the dance culture and put it on the music (which is some of the most
exciting music being produced right now). What are your thoughts?
I agree.
We have all been collectively trying to get the Rave Act repealed. Unfortunately,
there are some very sneaky right wing ignoramous who don’t know
the first thing about culture. It’s really important if you can
take the time to write letters to your senators or gov’t officals
and make your voice heard. Not just on matters like that, but also the
NRDC (nrdc.org). I
urge everyone to check out their web site, and to participate in making
the world a better place!!
18)
You’re definitely a DJ on the rise and a talented singer-songwriter.
What’s next for DJ Angelique?
In the infamous words of Marvin Gaye “Keep On Keeping On”
Spreading love and peace through music!!
PEACE LOVE AND BEATS-
Angelique
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