Recommended Daily Allowance

Derrick Daisey, aka DJ Vitamin D has every right to be proud. And he is, following the international success of last year's smash summer hit "That Latin Track." Now with a follow up in the works on Loaded, and a flurry of releases available now on Colorecordings, the record label he started in 2001, Vitamin D is now poised to remain the king of Denver nightlife, but also to take over worldwide. Vitamin D started DJ'ing over 10 years ago at wearhouse raves in Los Angles, and now resides in Denver, playing at clubs like Enigma, as well as Acapulco, Manchester, UK and Hong Kong. If you're lucky, you might get your recommended daily allowance in your area. Late this June, I had a chance to interview one of the scene's best and brightest house music stars, and you might be surprised at his comments on the music, the scene and his place in it. Enjoy!

DH: Tell me about your newest releases, which are you most proud of and why?
DD: At the moment, I have been completely focused on this new Latin song I finished up with Miss Audry. Loaded wanted a follow up to "That Latin Track". It had to be as good or better than the first. It is in the same style, fun, hands in the air, kinda a summer track. It's set to be released this summer, and we'll see how it goes over.

DH: I understand that you do a lot of work with Sean Biddle as the Floorfillerz, when did you start working with him?

DD: I met Sean like 6 years ago, and started working on music together 4 years ago , I think. We have been roommates for 4 years now. I think that we both have some great ideas. Now being able to put all of them together, we come up with songs we would not have been able to do seperately. We tend to do tracks aimed right at the dance floor, primetime tracks. Sean is great with all the noises and finding the samples to use. Put that together with my lay-outs, and I think that we come up with some good stuff sometimes.

DH: Tell me about Colorecordings, and about your position as A&R.

DD: Colorecordings is a label I started back in 2001. Color meaning Colorado, and Color for the first 100 of each released on colored vinyl. Delay after delay, and it looks like it is finally off the ground. I have 15 releases already signed and waiting to be released. It is now actually a sublabel of Nine Records, which is run by a good friend of mine,Nick, or Dj Nique. We have some great talent here in Denver, and I wanted to release some of it. We have releases from the Pound Boys, Hipp-E, Dj Sense of Casa Del Soul, Dj Nique, The Floorfillerz, and myself; plus a bunch more artists from around the world:Christian Alverez, Patrick Alavi, Brother Brown, Double Helix, and some projects I have done with Miss Audry.

DH: Speaking of Miss Audry, did the worldwide success of "That Latin Track" surprise you? Does your current wave of fame suprise you? You've been a dj/producer for a long time, does a part of you feel like it's about time you got some recognition?

DD:I remember making "That Latin Track". I had sent some tracks to IHR and they weren't really feeling them, so they asked me to make some other ones. Six hours later I finished it, I actually went to a website and grabbed some Latin samples. I had some vocals left over from a track I did with Miss Audry called "To the Sky". It all seemed to work, so I sent it to some friends beforehand, and they told me I had a hit. My mom said the same thing. I guess they were right. It was all a surprise to me, especially how fast it happened. It got my name all over the world. I think it crossed over to many different Djs and different styles. Then IHR releases more remixes the following year. I don't think they caught on to the last minute release in August. I was disappointed about that. I really thought the Vocal Mix had a lot more potential. Well...the next thing I know...I am doing a search on Google, and came across the website for Loaded Records. That's how I found out about them licensing it. This is when the track finally saw the light of day! The picked up the original and the vocal mix. Now my name was getting everywhere! And just yesterday I found out that Estereo is releasing the Kiko Navarro mixes again this year. I do feel like it's my time, I've been doing this for so long now, I hope it all works out. I just finished the follow up to "That Latin Track" with Miss Audry again this time, it' set to be another Latin summer hit.

DH: You released a mix last year called "Denver Live" It seemed to be very indicative of "the new sound of house". What do you think of the direction that house music is going, meaning towards the more progressive, techy sound?

DD: I am not a fan of progressive, or tech-house, and I am not sure where house music is going at the moment. I do know that all the disco based house has been around for a long time, and I feel like it's always gonna be here. I was into a lot of West Coast house, but it all started to sound the same to me. But I think people can say that about a lot of styles. I try to do my own thing with what I play and write.

DH: Where do you look for inspiration?

DD: I will admit that I listen to music I make over and over again. I tend to get new ideas out of it. I am always thinking on how I could have done it better. I also get ideas from track I buy to play out. I tend to grab ideas from many records and try to make them all into one. I am really into simple, loopy, dirty tracks. A lot of inspiration comes from artists that came out of Chicago, that style of house music is what it's all about.

DH: What other kinds of music, other than dance music, do you listen to?

DD: Not much. I grew up listening to 80's music: Depeche Mode, New Order, Soft Cell...I used to listen to rap as well....NWA, Eazy-E, Nowadays I listen to R&B, a little bit of hip hop(whatever my roommate exposes me to). But mostly house music.

DH: What is your favorite song?

DD: Now that's a tough one. Not sure when it comes right down to a specific song, but I have always loved "Music is the Key" by Foul Play on Moving Shadow. I think that it's an all time classic drum and bass track; some of the best vocals ever.

DH: What do you look for in records you buy?
DD:I like my records to be banging, jackin' and a little disco to it. I am all about the French sound, not the 80's stuff, but the straight up disco house. Chicago stuff is right up my alley too. Not too filtered sounding, and none of the West Coast kinda stuff anymore.

DH: I heard a vicious rumor that you don't put your records back when you listen to them at the record store. Do you put them back, or do you just leave them at the listening station?

DD: I have ALWAYS put my records back on the shelves. Working at record stores for over 6 years, I know what it's like to be on the other side of the counter! However, I do get some nasty looks from others when I have more records than what is normally allowed for customers. Actually I have gotten some emails about it. Most stores limit customers to 10 records at a time. I figure if another customer was that upset about it, all they would have had to do was tell me....I would have let them on the listening booth. Hell, it's easier to order online these days anyway...I actually prefer it.

DH: Speaking of preferences, I heard that you prefer to dj with Sean as the Floorfillerz. Do you feel that your energy is better with the two of you?

DD: When I dj with Sean, as the Floorfillerz, we tend to switch off every 3 records. It keeps us both interested and keeps the people on the floor. Plus, it's a lot more fun with two people. Yes, I do think that the energy is higher with both of us there, playing off each other, wondering what we're gonna play next.

DH: Where was your favorite place to spin thus far, also, how was your first trip to the UK?

DD: My favorite place to play so far has been Hong Kong. It was a great event and the crowd seemed to be into it. Plus, as a city to visit, I had a blast. The promoter was great, the food was wicked, and the women....OHMYGOD! My second place I loved playing was Guadalajara, Mexico. Mexico is a beautiful country, and the best food in the world. I am half Mexican and have always loved going to visit. Ahhhh...my first trip to the UK. I have been waiting for this for awhile now. Everyone was so down to earth. The promoters seemed like people I had known for years. The club was a blast. Manchester was an experience. Lots of fish and chips, hot tea.....and the shopping was nice. I hope to go back soon.

DH: As your popularity grows, do you ever think about leaving Denver? What do you like/dislike about Denver?

DD: Wow! Don't get me started on Denver again. Let's just say that Denver is a great place to live. The cost of living is reasonable, and I have some great friends here. As a place for house music, it flat out sucks. I have been thinking about moving back to California for the last 2-3 years now....I just can't seem to do it.

DH: Do you prefer clubs over parties? Why?

DD:Clubs for sure. You know that the venue is secure, and you will get paid. Parties are just not what they used to be....and that's cool. I have some good memories. I do miss a sweaty ass warehouse, a red beacon, and a HUGE soundsystem :)

DH: I read that you're epileptic, so do flashing club lights seriously affect you?

DD: So far I have not had any real problems due to the lights. I have riders stated in my contract about direct lights in my eyes. I will admit to seeing colors that I know should not be there when I am in direct flashing lights...probably not a good thing! I just make sure to tell anyone "if you see me shaking on the floor, it's time to call the paramedics!"

DH: Do you have a favorite funny or embarrassing moment that happened while you were on tour?

DD: Embarassing was taking the wrong needle of the wrong record. It's strange when they all look at you when the music suddenly stops. Then you realize "shit, that needle was the one that was playing live, not the one in my headphones." So you just start it from the beginning and go from there! I think I have done that 2 or 3 times now...I know there are more, I just can't think of any.

DH: You seem to be one of the hardest working people in the business. Do you ever take a weekend off?

DD: I have a lot of spare time in the daytime. I try to get outside, work out, and hang with friends. I don't start working on music until the evening. I do have some weekends off, and it is nice :)

DH: What else, besides records, do you carry in your record bag? What do you carry with you at all times?

DD: Records and headphones. I carry my cell phone with me everywhere these days. If I leave it at home I tend to freak out a bit!

DH: I read that you don't have any outside activities other than music.....do you now?

DD: I know I need to get a hobby. Having the studio in the loft where I live is not helping...Music is constantly being made either by me or my roommate, Sean. It's kinda driving me nuts!

DH: I know you don't have a hobby, but do you have a favorite book?

DD: Another tough question....I just bought a book, the first book I have bought in about 7 years. I have a hard time getting into books. I think my mind wanders too much, next thing you know I am getting all these ideas for music, then I put the book down, and what do you know, I'm starting on a new track...see question above...

DH: Shifting gears again....What djs/producers do you think are really talented?

DD: I think Ritchie Hawtin is a talented person. His music is unlike anything else out there. And he can dj like no other. Green Velvet...now that guy is OUT THERE, but he has some serious talent as well, as a dj and a performer. You can always tell when you here a Green Velvet/Cajmere record. I also think that Sebastian Leger is a talented producer as well; what he does with disco loops is amazing.

DH: Which new talented artist should we be watching out for?

DD: While I was over in Manchester this past May, I got to hear Yousef for the first time. I have read about him in the UK magazines, and all I have to say is GO SEE HIM PLAY! I thought he was the SHIT! 3 turntables, 2 cd players. Just cutting it all up and mixing seamlessly. Straight up house! It takes a lot to impress me...and he did it for sure.

DH: And now for a slightly controversial question....What do you think of music file sharing? Do you really think that it's hurting the dance music industry, especially considering that a lot of dance music is purchased on vinyl?

DD: YES!!! I am starting to realize that file sharing is killing the music industry. I do play a lot of cds these days. Most are from MP3s the artists themselves have sent me via AOL, MSN, ICQ, etc...but as soon as it's released on vinyl I go out and buy it...not every time, but for the most part. I have EVERY track I have ever made on my web site as an MP3, I have come to the decision to take them all down. I am only gonna have 1-2 minute samples in low quality these days.

DH: What would you be doing if you weren't a dj/producer?

DD:To be honest, I have been thinking about that a lot these days. The decline in sales in the music industry is starting to freak me out a bit. I think that going to school might be a reality soon.

For more information on DJ Vitamin D check out the following web sites:

djvitamind.com
thefloorfillerz.com
colorecordings.com