Don’t feel guilty… this DJ’s round-the-clock gigs give him (and us) pleasure! DJ Guilty Pleasures serves VERS, Playhouse and more venues throughout NYC nightlife.
Thotyssey: Hi GP, thanks for chatting today and happy Post-Labor Day! So how did summer treat you, and what were some personal highlights of the season?
Guilty Pleasures: The summer was great! Musically one of the best summers I believe we’ve had in awhile–especially when it came to Sapphic music, as well as a resurgence of club kid music being so relevant with Brat.
Some personal highlights of this season were: reaching my second year as being a working DJ (still a lad); consistently working with some of my favorite and most inspirational queens; being able to enjoy and getting to know my community more, and their talents!
I hit my first few seven day work weeks this summer, which I personally love! I really am in love with what I do, whether it is DJing drag shows, events, birthdays, tea dances, or even doing a/v portions for drag or piano nights… it’s all in the realm of what I love. I really wish I DJ’ed more sex parties, though! The music fits a style I really love.
OMG, DJing all week! What do you do on your rare days off?
It all depends, but I used to have a lot more responsibilities for my home I sublet, lol. I love sleeping, gaming… I love when I have the creative juices still going on my days off. I love getting into different genres or certain artists, and pop culture sound bites like “NOT THE BORE WORMS!” And also catching up with friends. My account grew like 4x since joining nightlife, so I get to just see friends a lot, too… which is always a lovely time.
Are you a native New Yorker?
I am. Born in Manhattan from the hospital but raised in Brooklyn, childhood in Greenpoint, and teenage to adult life in Williamsburg.
What was your first favorite music, and how did you ultimately become a DJ?
My first favorite sound was punk rock / alt rock. Paramore and Evanescence were my biggest bands, and still are. Currently I’m flooded with local bands I love, like Hot Milk.
I actually love to tell my story for becoming a DJ! It was when I met my unofficial mom, Dinah Fire at Happyfun Hideaway. It was a Halloween set and I was a bit stoned, and all I could remember was [the music] going from a song that I do know and love–it was a bit punk rock–that went into an electronic transition that made me feel like I was in a video game, about to fight a boss. That was when I realized how much power and fun music can be in creating an experience, and it could be creative to want to pursue being able to do something like that.
Do you think you might be able to spin a rock / punk / emo party someday?
I think that would be awesome, and I actually do have a few parties in mind. I am mainly a DJ, however; the producer side has definitely been coming out a bit more with a few different party ideas including an emo / rock / punk party. It’s in the early stages of development; however, I’m extremely excited. I also do throw rock and punk in my pop party sets, as some definitely transcend the normal ear for pop.
You DJ quite a few drag and nightlife entertainment shows–many of which are at VERS, a popular newer venue in Hell’s Kitchen. You’ve got the Broadway-centric “Showbitches” on Sundays with Kiki Ball-Change and Selma Nilla; Andre Catrini’s “Very VERS-a-Tile Piano Party” every Monday, and rotating Tuesday drag shows “GRRRL on Gworl” (Nani Tsunami and Vanity LaVain with a supporting cast), “Dev’s Dolls” (the Dev Doee-hosted burlesque-flavored drag revue) and “Today, Tonight” (Jacklynn Hyde and Sherry Poppins’ comedic take on current events).
I think VERS is definitely a nice staple to the nightlife community, especially for my coworkers. We all actually love and support each other… and also hang out outside of work, which I feel is a rare commodity in nightlife. A very “small but mighty” space. I personally love all the programming at VERS; some of my favorite queens work there. I’ve also been lucky to make connections through VERS to get gigs in multiple other places, and sometimes with the same queens.
I think the programming is so fun there, just due to the talent of some of the people. Dev giving a sultry, sexy, camp cabaret is one of my faves, as well as the news with Jacqueline Hyde and Sherry Poppins; I laugh for two hours straight, and it also helps me with my soundbites. Same with Nani’s cabaret–she’s very sexy, very fun, and very funny on the mic. It’s also so fun with Andre Catrini being such a Broadway nerd, their numbers and how they jest along on the stage.
In the nicest way, I would say the parties at VERS are very “common.” It’s giving a good time with pop parties, and just enjoying a night out with friends is the general vibe. I do particularly enjoy the tea dances, as they give a bit more freedom as a DJ to play new or disco / house / experimental music as it focuses more on beat rather than lyrics; I always have a fun time with those. I have so many other DJ friends who are very talented on the lineup like Waly Verdun and John Martins for the underwear party. It’s a very nice, chill space to be in… but the underwear parties do get a little rowdy for sure, though!
Another show you’ve been DJing lately is Lori Lu’s weekly “Femme House” at Playhouse on Wednesday nights!
“Femme House” is so fun! I think it’s a show that highlights drag queens and burlesque… drag kings as well. I have a blast doing “Femme House,” as so much of nightlife feels very “for the boys” with very little actual content for Sapphic people, as well as drag kings. I would love to see more content like that. I feel like the local scene is leading the charge in those types of shows, more than our bigger venues. Although Playhouse definitely greenlit the show, which has been great! I love my girls.
You also DJ a monthly show at Club Cumming called “D.R.A.G.” starring Virgo Rising and Shaneeda Bump–two queens who are no strangers to VERS!
It stands for “Debauchery, Ridiculousness, Amusement, Get Down.” It’s super fun, it’s very silly Gen Z and all around stupid humor, as well as some funny mixes that would scratch a forgotten part of your brains. The next one is definitely the last Wednesday of the month.
What else is on your calendar?
I’m gonna be moving soon–which has been stressful, lol! But afterwards, I think I’m gonna add in production of music on my belt. My good friends at [indie record label] The Disco Express have given me great pointers for recording my own tracks and sounds. I’m extremely excited for that, and to continue doing the shows I’m on and see how they grow.
And then the last question will be: do you like or hate song requests in the DJ booth, lol?
I do of course like song requests, as they make the barrier between DJ and Partygoer more blended. However I do like a tip in there, as sometimes I definitely play songs I don’t know and am hoping that it won’t be a floor killer (although I always play requests from co-workers, and friends sometimes). I love how one song can create an entire experience for the patrons wherever I am playing.
I’d like to also mention how proud I am for the voices recently speaking out for better rights for 1099 workers like Kizha Carr, Julie J, Kiki Ball-Change, etc. A performer’s life can be very hazy, and it’s sometimes scary to speak up for yourself and for others–in treatment, payment, and benefits. I am beyond happy to be part of the culture during the time this shift is taking place.
Thanks, DJ GP!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for DJ Guilty Pleasures’ upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram.
Thotyssey 