A favorite NYC nightlife house who’s now established as a partymaker all his own, it’s about damn time to praise Damn Steven!
Thotyssey: Hello Steven, thanks for chatting today! You were a host in a Brooklyn edition of Ladyfag’s “Battle Hymn” recently… how did it go?
Damn Steven: It was fantastic! “Battle Hymn” is always a great time, but when it come to Brooklyn–baby, the gays show out! A lot of dancing, great energy and impressive looks!
Do you find that you feel and behave differently at an event when you’re producing, versus when you’re just hosting, versus when you’re simply there to kiki… or is it all the same Steven?
Naturally, I am an extroverted person who is extremely social–so you’ll get Steven all of the time. However when I’m producing, I’m a little bit more focused and attentive to the DJs, hosts, and the venue staff, as I am ensuring the party is flowing. When hosting, I am a little freer and let loose as that is what I’m booked to do. There, I get to work the crowd and set the vibe.
Here’s maybe a broad question, but what are the ingredients to make a successful nightlife event on 2023… as someone who’s been a part of several?
There is no specific formula or format to follow when it comes to creating a successful event. However, what I always tell people who are interested in producing an event is to genuinely love what you’re doing and always have the community in mind. If you’re doing it for clout or money, your event won’t go far. When there is passion and you know the community you are catering to–and you approach it with the utmost respect–your audience will not only see it, but also feel it.
Can you tell us a bit about where you’re from, and what your interests were growing up? Were you always a social butterfly?
I am a native of New York City, and I was born in pre-gentrified Bushwick. As a child I didn’t grow up with a lot of money, and my parents couldn’t provide much beyond the basic needs to get by. That’s how I built my NYC hustle and resilience. When I was a teenager, I met my first gay friends who are still my best friends to this day. With them, I started clubbing using a fake ID when I was 14. I frequented places like Escuelita, Splash, and Greenhouse. That’s where I truly felt the safest and discovered myself. I didn’t have many gay role models while growing up, so the nightlife filled the void of acceptance that I didn’t feel at home. Hanging out with queens at a young age brought out my social butterfly side, and essentially shaped the person I am today.
How did you come to find yourself fully in the nightlife business… and why do we call you “Damn Steven?”
Well, I’m not fully immersed in the nightlife business; I also have a day job as an executive assistant to the CEO of a tech startup. To answer your question, I always joke and say that I never chose nightlife… nightlife chose me! When I was 22, a nightlife producer named Yamil X approached me and asked me to host. At first I was hesitant, but I eventually agreed. Initially, I did it to get my friends in for free and enjoy free drinks. I didn’t fully grasp the scope of what it involved, or how it could evolve. I hosted sporadically, and after the pandemic, I found myself booked nearly every weekend. Eventually, I mustered the courage to create my first event with my best friend, Lucas Skywalker, and that’s how [our event production brand] DL Presents came to be.
As for “Damn Steven,” it emerged after a fallout with an old friend who used to call me by my previous Instagram handle, “St3v0oO.” So, I changed my handle to “Damnsteven,” since I was confident and feeling great about my fit body at the time. The name has stuck with me ever since.
How did you come to hook up with the Kandy Muse / Dahlia Sin / Papito Suave / Skywalker crew?
Well, I knew Lucas first, and we met through a brunch where we instantly clicked. I then took him to his first gay club, and the rest is history. I met Kandy through TNT when she was performing alongside Aja, Dahlia, and MoMo Shade. I used to attend and support their gigs, and dragged Lucas along with me, leading to us all becoming acquainted. I met Papito through Kandy, which is how our paths intersected.
And what made you decide you were ready to produce or co-produce o your own events?
Lucas and I had always wanted to throw our own parties, but we didn’t know how or where to start. As we began hosting numerous events, we gained insight into the behind-the-scenes workings and discovered what aspects of being hosts we enjoyed. We also found DJs we truly loved. This led us to consider organizing parties for our birthdays in 2021. Since Lucas had successfully produced an event on his own, I knew collaborating with him was the best choice. Our first party, named “Sagiterrorist,” was a humbling and honorable experience due to the impressive turnout. This event provided the motivation to keep building and creating more parties.
“Teteo” is a Latin party at Brooklyn dance club Paragon that you and Lucas produce. Tell us more about that!
“Teteo” is a biweekly party at Paragon that caters to the local Latinx music scene. It came about when Paragon reached out to us after our “Mercury in Reggaeton” party to curate a night that was missing in the northern Brooklyn area. They desired a local event where we could establish a space to celebrate the Latinx community, booking talented DJs and hosts who span musical genres from Dembow and Reggaeton to Cumbia and electronic. Our next event is scheduled for September 7th.
Meanwhile, “Mercury” has become a big hit, and massive edition of it will turn up at hot Brooklyn club Silo on Saturday with a fierce DJ lineup, and Kandy herself hosting. That’s a can’t miss!
Thank you so much. It truly has become its own entity, and Lucas and I couldn’t be more proud of it.
Also, you’re hosting a new affair produced by your sis Janelle No. 5 at the Dream Downtown called “Puro” this Sunday! Are you excited for that?
Yes, I am! I’m extremely excited. Working with Janelle is always a great time. She consistently introduces new talent to the nightlife scene, individuals who are all pursuing their passions, and she truly knows how to showcase their abilities. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing what she has planned for this upcoming Sunday.
And do I see that “Mercury in Reggaeton” will have some representation at Bushwig this September?
Yes, “Mercury in Reggaeton” will be in Bushwick on 9/9 from 8-10pm with DJ Skywalker & Nas Laber! This will be our second year collaborating with them.
Excellent! Anything else coming up for you that the children should know about?
DL Presents has a packed month ahead, with “Mercury in Reggaeton” on 8/26, Bushwig on 9/9, biweekly “Teteo” events, and we’ll soon be announcing the second installment of our party “Eclipse!” Let’s just say September is going to be far from dull!
Work! Okay, last question: Lucas Skywalker has also been DJing lately… will we ever see DJ Damn Steven in the booth?
Absolutely not! I adore the behind-the-scenes aspect of nightlife and event curation. DJs put in tremendous effort, from researching and curating to producing sounds. Their talent is truly commendable. With my current commitments in nightlife and my day job, I wouldn’t have enough time to pursue becoming a DJ. However, Lucas Skywalker is a different story. He’s someone to keep an eye on! He’s undoubtedly going to make a significant impact.
No doubt! Thanks, Steven!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Damn Steven’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
Thotyssey 