The resident DJ for two big Janelle No. 5 events in NYC, Jaceound is a first time Glam Award nominee this year.
Thotyssey: Hi Jace! How is your holiday month treating you so far?
Jaceound: Hey! Holiday month is going good so far–spending time with friends and DJing, so I’d say 10/10.
That’s a good spread! Generally speaking–when you are not working, do you like going out to other people’s parties, or are you more of a homebody?
If I’m not working, then yeah I’m definitely going out to support my friends’ parties! I’ll always go to my fairy godmother Janelle No. 5’s events (if I’m not already working them with her). Her “Queen 4 Queen” show on Monday at Pieces is always a ki! Also, I love attending Mambiché’s, Slagatha’s and P_A_T’s “And What About It” party at Metro. All good times!
Can you tell us a bit about your DJ sound?
I’m a raver at heart, so I fell in love with the EDM dubstep side of DJing. But as of late my sound has evolved into a more House, tech house, bass house kind of vibe. I play Top 40 pop and mix it with some tech house to keep the beats interesting and pumping. I especially like when I DJ at Boxers for “Hustlers” because that’s where Janelle sets me loose… and it’s house all night!
Where are you from, and was music always a part of your life growing up?
I’m a Jersey guy originally, so you know Jersey Shore was my bible, lol. And yeah, music has always been a part of my life. I’ve been a choir boy and musical theatre gay forever. I even went to college for musical theatre–that’s actually where I met one of my best friends, Luxx Noir London! When quarantine was over, I started working for a wedding DJ company… and that’s where I discovered EDM. I always say that dubstep brought me back to life. I still enjoy showtunes here and there, but EDM has truly transformed me into a more confident and secure person.
How did you find yourself in nightlife, and specifically working so many of Janelle’s events?
Well when I got my first DJ deck and actually started to get good and find my sound, I’d always express to Luxx–who was already doing her thing in nightlife and working with Janelle–that I’d love to get in there and join the nightlife community. Janelle would sometimes post that she was looking for new DJs to try out, but I never felt fully ready to actually go for it. Then one day, Luxx texted me to hit up Janelle. So I did, and that’s when Janelle gave me a chance to DJ “Sexx Dreams” at Metro for her! I started as an opening DJ for that party, and with every night I started getting better at reading the crowd and learning what people wanted to hear. When I was ready, she let me close the party for her… and then eventually I became the resident DJ for “Sexx Dreams!” I think I work so much with Janelle because I take direction from her very well; she knows what she wants her parties to sound like, and I’m always happy to adjust my sets for the vibe that she has in mind for that night.
You’re nominated for Best Bar DJ at the Glams this year, congrats! It was a good idea for the producer to finally separate bar DJs and club DJs with their own categories this year, too. Two very different worlds! Are you excited / happy to be nominated?
Oh, for sure! It’s super exciting to be nominated alongside so many of my friends. To be recognized by my peers in nightlife feels really good, because I look up to so many of them… and to know that they see me just as I see them is awesome.
You mentioned “Hustlers, “which is the party you DJ for Janelle at Boxers HK on Thursdays. What’s that night like?
“Hustlers” is a super sexy, red light district kind of party. You can always expect super hot gogos dancing all night, and house beats to get everybody in the mood to meet someone. We have a dark room downstairs to explore, and hot bartenders to quench that thirst!
And you and Janelle are also together every Saturday for “Sexx Dreams” at Metro! Both “Hustlers” and “Sexx Dreams” are Glam nominated parties, too. What’s the secret to “Sexx’s” success?
I think the secret is the mix of great music (of course, lol) and the shows that we offer! Janelle always has the hottest girls in the scene performing. All roads lead to “Sexx Dreams” on Saturdays; it’s always a “who’s who” that night.
What else do you wanna say?
I just want to remind everyone that Glam voting has started, so vote for Jaceound for Best Bar DJ.
To close, what do you want for Christmas?
That’s easy! A brand new Pioneer XDJ-XZ, hehe!
Stuff that stocking, Santa! Thanks Jace, and congrats again!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for DJ Jaceound’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
Thotyssey 