Practically born into the world of nightlife in an interesting way, this fan favorite Fire Island music maker is preparing for another eventful summer–while also staunchly defending the merits and artistry of her craft, calling out in the toxic inequality in the scene, and pondering the state of modern dance music… DJ Twisted Dee!
Thotyssey: Hello Dee! March is nearly over already… how did the month treat you?
Twisted Dee: This month was absolutely wonderful, I was on a ten day vacation with friends that I just got home from!
Welcome home! You travel a lot as a DJ… it must be very pleasant to just have a relaxing, fun experience! You’re normally based in Florida, right?
Yes, but I don’t work in Florida really. The only gig I do in Florida is for One Magical Weekend in June every year. Every other weekend starting in May until mid-September, I will be at my residency on Fire Island!
Where are you originally from, and was music always a part of your life?
I am a born and raised New Yorker, Long Island Girl! And yes, music was a very big part of my life from a very early age! It’s a long story, but I’ll try to make it short, lol!
As a young teenager and a young adult, my parents owned the first disco ever on Long Island! I’ve been obsessed with DJing and music ever since I was a kid! The name of the club was The Sting at 863 West Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown; I remember the address like my name!
I used to ride my bike to the club during the day after school to set up the bartenders with fruit, fill the beer coolers, set up all the glasses, etc. When I was done with my work, I would hide myself in the DJ booth for hours playing the DJ’s records. Because I always looked older for my age, my parents would let me come to the club sometimes at night when there would be a big act. We’ve had many, and I have met so many people in the industry when I was very young. The Trammps ate at my house–all thirteen of them, including the horn section! I’ve met Carol Douglas, Gloria Gaynor, Ecstasy Passion & Pain, Sister Sledge, just to name a few. All pioneers of the disco explosion! I was so blessed to have lived in this time, even though I was young!
When my parents sold the club, my father handed most of the DJ booth equipment down to me. Needless to say, my room in the basement was quickly set up like a nightclub! I started buying records and honing my skills. By the time I was a sophomore in high school, I was DJing school dances and parties. When I was 17, I got my first actual paying gig in a club–the first club I ever worked in was also on Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown, and that was called After Dark. I actually had to bring my father in for his permission for me to work in the club, being that I was underaged. I’ve never not worked since then.
I worked in the straight community until I was about 26 years old. That’s when I came out, and that’s when I got my first job in a gay club on Long Island. From there, I worked in just about every single gay club on Long Island over the years while I was living there.That moved me out to Fire Island–first Cherry Grove, and then to the Pines where I have been for the last 20 years!
And off-season, you’re playing dance floors all over the country and the world!
Early on in my career, I had a huge desire to travel. I knew the only way I was going to be able to do that was to produce music–not just be a DJ. There’s no way anybody in another country would ever know who a DJ is unless they put out music. So starting at about 30 years old, I put myself in the studio and pounded out as much music as I could to get my name out there. Once I started producing, things just fell into place and I started traveling to different countries.
Tell us a bit more about producing: is it mixes and remixes, original songs?
Most of my remix work early on was on my own label, Hammer Music, and was all my own original works. Then I started doing remixes for Billboard. Over the years I’ve been blessed with officially remixing Madonna, Jennifer Hudson, Janet Jackson, Nelly Furtado, Kristine W, and many, many more! I’ve done a few collaborations with other producers; most of my work was on my own, though, and also with my current remix partner Diego Fernandez from Brazil. He’s a very talented DJ and friend for many years.
What are your favorite sort of sets to play as far as sound, genre, etc. from the booth?
Oh my God, I’ve gone through so many styles and phases, lol! It always started with house and dance music, from disco to today. For quite some time, I played in the circuit scene… until it became vile and fake, and quite honestly very cliquey. Today I have to say my heart lies in Afro house and tribal house. Everything needs bongos and congas, and always more cowbell, lol! I’ve always played with a more Latin flair. Always.
What do you think about the evolution of dance music in the years since you started? Has it gotten more or less interesting / fun / diverse / creative etc.?
Well, there’s so much music to choose from! It has evolved many times over the years, but for the most part I’ve always loved the progression of the music. But then we got trapped in the circuit bubble. And that’s where all the pornstar, rent boy DJs started popping out of the crevices–when music started going completely digital and just about anybody could play music and call themselves a DJ. It all went downhill from there, and the craft that I worked so hard on all my life has basically turned to shit.
But I love music so much, that I don’t think I could ever give it up. I may retire from DJing one day, but I will never retire from making music. I expect to be doing that when I’m old and gray sitting, in my underwear and slippers, lol!
You recently went off on a popular global DJ who’s known at least partially for his good looks. But you said he kinda coasts through his pre-recorded sets (and he responded). Is alleged posturing behind the booth with non-live sets a thing you see a lot of in the biz, especially when it’s an attractive DJ who might rely on aesthetics to draw crowds?
Unfortunately, we see it a lot these days! All–and I mean all–of us reputable DJs talk about it with one another privately, but we never say anything publicly. Until now. Until I’ve had just about enough, and I can’t take anymore! The problem has gotten as bad as it has because we’ve shut up all these years, and didn’t want to disparage another DJ in the industry. And in my book, those days are over. The bullshit has to stop, and we need to get back to what is most important: music!
And shame on anybody in this community that says I shouldn’t say anything publicly! After putting 42 years of my heart and soul into my career, don’t tell me I don’t have a voice! I actually had a DJ call me this morning and tell me, “D, you know that’s kitchen talk for us, and you shouldn’t say those things in public.” I told this DJ that the problem is just that! We “kitchen talk” with each other about all the problems in our industry, and do nothing about it.
Lots of younger partygoers who grew up on Spotify and other streaming platforms (and often expect their DJs to function that way) might not even get what you’re annoyed with.
Quite honestly, the younger generation doesn’t get it. We’ve actually made an about-face in the gay community over the last 15 or so years–the gay community used to be cutting edge, music-wise, and straight DJs would go to gay clubs to hear the hottest new records. Now the exact opposite is true. The gay music industry has turned completely pop and bubblegum, unless you are a DJ that was able to break out of that and create your own style. Now, we go to the straight clubs to hear the cutting edge music.
And on top of the regular cheese and bubblegum that’s on the radio, we have to suffer through bad remixes of the same pop and cheese put out by half-ass producers. Sometimes I have to cave in to the pop and cheese on Fire Island during tea dances, but for the most part at night I am free to do my thing. And don’t get me wrong, I love to play classics; one of my favorite decades was the ’80s! I love to play an 80s set whenever I get a chance… so much fun!
One of my favorite cities to play is Atlanta; Atlanta is a place right now that is cutting edge as far as music goes. I can go there and not play one song that anybody knows, but they get the vibe. Fortunately, in my humble opinion, I think I have exquisite taste in music… especially the stuff that I play. People that come to to hear me in Atlanta always know that they are going to get: something fresh and new from me, always.
Also, in the queer scene we’re now seeing a lot more women and femme folks in the booth, which is great. But it’s still kind of a pretty boys club, one can argue. Is that a challenge to navigate?
Oh honey, it’s been the battle of my life, lol! But thank God, in my years I have come across party promoters and club owners that I have worked with for more than 20 years who continue to have me back. But the female thing, of course, is a struggle. I mean to put it quite frankly, I’ve had more Billboard number one hits and remixes then 99% of the DJs out there! If I was a man, I would have been on top of this game 20 years ago. I have more credentials than 99% of the male DJs out there. But that doesn’t seem to make an impact–because I am female, and I am not fuckable, and I am not eye candy.
And let me just say, that doesn’t go for just us women. That goes for every other DJ that is not fuckable, or that is not eye candy. We all struggle with this superficial standards in the industry these days. Black DJs, especially.
You know the funny thing is, this DJ world is becoming very reminiscent of today’s politics: the truth versus lies, fake versus real… there’s a large group of DJ’s on one side and another group of DJs on the other side. It’s like Democrats and Republicans: one side is fighting to keep their fakeness covered up. They follow each other like lemmings and protect each other, like Republicans protect Donald Trump. On the other side are the real DJs in the industry who are struggling in a different way: to stay relevant in a world that has become completely superficial, where the music has taken second fiddle to looks and sex and drugs.
A lot of DJ’s fight the line in the middle, because they don’t want to take sides; they are afraid if they speak up (like me) these other DJs will bash them just like they’re doing to me. The difference is, I can take it. I can take it standing tall, and I will represent every DJ that has been shunned by the superficial, malignant circuit world.
You’ve been a regular talent at the Pines there for a long time, like you’ve said. What is it about the Island that keeps everybody coming back and loving it?
Fire Island is my home. I am extremely blessed with the position and responsibility I have there. I love being there, and I love the people there. I also have to give props to my boss PJ on Fire Island. He’s a tough cookie and sometimes doesn’t sit right with people, but I have to say he is probably the smartest businessman I’ve ever met in my life! The man could tell you how many [drinking] straws he went through last year! He is meticulous, and his business is reflect that.
It’s probably too early to announce, but do you know what days / events we can find you there this summer?
I will be working regularly every weekend, except for the first weekend in June because of OMW here in Florida. I usually work three shifts a weekend, and they can vary from week to week. I usually do at least a pool party a “Low Tea” and a late night over the weekend. Don’t forget, we’ll have probably ten to twelve more DJ shifts in any given weekend, from Thursday to Sunday.
Were you worried about the storm-related beach erosion situation there? It seems to be stable now!
Oh my God, it was a terrible situation at the end of the summer last year and over the winter. Seeing the beach completely gone had me gasping for air! Thank God for the Army Corps of Engineers and all the powers that be… the beach is now beautiful again!
Should be a great summer! And meanwhile here in Manhattan you’ve played the improved Eagle a number of times. You’ll be back there April 5th and May 3rd.
I love spinning at the Eagle! Again, it’s a place where I can really shine, and show my style without having to worry about playing circuit music or cheesy vocals. I can be myself, and I completely and utterly appreciate when I am at a club like that!
You’re gonna be super busy these next few months, but is there anything else coming up for you that the kids should know about as far as gigs or projects?
Well, I am completely dedicated to Fire Island from mid-April, doing scheduling for all the DJs. I have had several amazing gigs over the fall and winter, including two gigs in China and Puerto Vallarta! I will be playing for Atlanta Pride in October, and I play every other month in Atlanta through the spring, fall and winter. I’m hoping for another trip to China… which reminds me, I have to renew my passport! And also, I’m returning regularly to The Eagle NYC in the fall.
Let’s end with a little music chat! First up, Beyoncé’s upcoming Cowboy Carter country album: will it slap or fizzle?
Well, her first track is doing very well; I expect more releases off the album when it finally drops. I know a lot of people are giving her flack for doing country, but I happen to like “Texas Hold ‘Em” more than any track from her last album. That’s just my humble opinion; I didn’t care very much for her last album.
Meanwhile, Madonna’s tour must be coming to an end soon… what should be next for her?
Lord, I love Madonna… but I just wish she would do some music that is more age appropriate! I don’t understand why she doesn’t do more ballads and sophisticated music. Instead, she chooses to do this teenage bubblegum crap, and it does her no justice. I really wish she would act her age, so it could match her talent. And I’m not dissing this woman by any stretch of the imagination; I would never dare to! But she needs another Ray of Light album right now.
Kylie Minogue is still keeping it pretty young, and her music slayed 2024!
Kylie is going to outlast them all, lol!
Agreed! Thanks Dee, and have a great season!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for DJ Twisted Dee’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Soundcloud.
Thotyssey 