Bringing the beat back to the Jersey Shore this summer, DJ Tyler Valentine is serving us a bunch of chances to see (and hear) him this weekend.
Thotyssey: Tyler, hello! We are now entering Pride Month… are you excited or stressed, lol?
Tyler Valentine: Hi there! Very excited. It’s going from off-season to our full steam ahead mode here. So I guess some stress too, haha!
Asbury Park really lights up every summer… what’s been your favorite thing about the warm seasons past?
I love being able to play outdoors throughout the summer: the rooftop sets, tea dances at Paradise, and a lot of like poolside fun. It goes from a little quiet spot to really feel like such a lively city.
How long have you been DJing at Paradise now?
This will be my 7th season with them!
Are you a Jersey native, by the way?
Yes! Born and raised in Point Pleasant, but I am based in Long Branch now.
What sort of music did you grow up with?
I’ve always been an alt rock emo boy at heart, and then kind of fell into the rave scene from there… so it was just a natural evolution into playing dance music
And how did you begin DJing?
I have always been into music. I started playing guitar a long time ago, and have been singing for a while… so DJing kind of just became another interest and hobby that’s become a lot more at this point.
Today, how might you describe your sound as a DJ?
I would say my sound is trying to take current or past pop music and twisting into something brand new. I love to take old disco and sample and flip it, or take some new songs and give them an entirely different feel. I never want any set you hear me play to feel like someone or something you’ve heard from.
Do song requests always annoy you, or are you okay with them?
I generally don’t mind song requests… sometimes. It does happen where someone reminds me of an older song or something I haven’t played in a while–so that’s always cool. That said, the best time to request a song from a DJ is not at all. DJs love to take you on a journey and make sure you’re having an amazing night!
At any given moment at Paradise, there are like ten thousand queens performing or strutting poolside! Do you enjoy the kiki with any of them in particular?
Honestly, I love getting to hang with my girlies Spectra Electra, Jolina Jasmine or Mancie Mandell when we happen to be in the same space. Last summer was such a good vibe. I loved getting to know last year’s Miss Paradise Freeda Kulo better as well, and I’m super excited to work with our new one Venus Mystique!
You actually have a few gigs coming up outside of Paradise, starting with DJing a Saturday drag brunch at Porta in Asbury Park! Mancie, Kimmy Sumony, Sasha Curvy and former Ms. Paradise / RuGirl Crystal Envy will be performing!
Yes! Super excited for that one! I love a drag brunch… because who doesnt love stunts and mimosas early in the day?
But that’s not all you’re doing on Saturday!
I’m also very excited for an event I’m producing that night called “365 Pride Girl” with Jolina Jasmine and Spectra Electra at House of Independents right down the road. Very excited for some of the surprises we have planned for that. I want you to feel like you’re at an underground rave listening to all your favorite pop girls, singing your hearts out with all your best friends, and catching a few sickening drag performances throughout the night. This has been my brain child event for the past few months since our first one, and I’ve been working really hard to change a lot of things up this time around!
Very exciting! What else is coming up for you?
I’m honestly ready for the summer season to kick off. Very excited to be at Beach Bar again every Saturday and on New Jersey Pride Sunday. I’m also looking forward to a lot of my dates at Watermark in Asbury Park, as well as the rooftop at the Asbury Hotel!
Delightful! Lastly: what’s your best advice for a baby DJ who wants to make it big in the scene today?
Play music you truly love and enjoy. Your sets will be better, and you’ll actually attract the type of crowd who will enjoy you. Build your own parties around the type of people you want to party with. Don’t just pick the Top 10 songs; spend some time searching for music that is interesting to you. There is more music then there is time to listen to it all! It will help you develop your own sound, makes your sets unique, and make you something people want to spend money to come out and see.
Thanks, Tyler!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Tyler Valentine’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
Thotyssey 