While keeping us moving as a local DJ of drag shows and dance floors, “mo” aka Gay Panic also has us fabulously screaming for his BNA-nominated Substack! [Cover photo: Jessye Herrell]
Thotyssey: Hello DJ GP, thanks for chatting today! We’re already halfway through September, are you embracing autumn vibes yet?
Gay Panic: Of course! I love to yap, and I love the idea of leaving the summer heat behind! As a maximalist, I’m always eager to throw on another layer. It’s been a legendary summer in New York, but carrying with your friends is a year-long activity! I will miss the beach, though.
I too am all about the layers: lasagna me! You’re well known in the scene as a DJ, but you just got an epic Brooklyn Nightlife Awards nomination as a writer for your Substack blog / newsletter The Deviant Dispatch! Congrats!! I was wondering if you could start off with telling us a bit about the content and history of DD?
OMG “well-known in the scene as a DJ,” I’m blushing! But seriously, it means the world to be nominated by my peers. I’m only writing due to my love of the scene. It’s too fab not to be documented!
That passion for the world of Brooklyn nightlife left me sounding like Stefon from SNL when people asked me what I was up to that weekend. The people, places and parties sounded so bonkers! That experience sparked the idea of a newsletter with events listings that covered drag, live music, and clubbing to fill the void The Culture Whore left behind when they stopped publishing “The Week.” Then the pandemic happened and I had time on my hands plus the knowledge of so many zoom shows / parties that I wanted to support, so I started The Deviant Dispatch.
Initially it was a weekly email with an event calendar alongside my thoughts on why the events were notable, and then a bloggy essay for paying subscribers. As the newsletter grew, [Brooklyn club] Elsewhere hired me to do their email marketing. Once I was writing their weekly newsletter blast, doing a second event calendar in my free time became less appealing… so I leaned into the more-feature driven stuff: the Stefon to Carrie Bradshaw pipeline, if you will. Most stuff is free at first, but the paywall hits after a week of a post being live. I’ll still give my paying subs an exclusive post on the regular, to show my appreciation.
Some notable pieces of mine include me breaking down the dangers of the drug G, gushing over the rapper Cortisa Star, and reporting on Charlene getting banned from Tryst Hotels for what’s now known as “pissgate.” I’ll still throw in event guides from time to time.
Are you inspired that the wild spirit of NYC nightlife is still present, even though there is so much of the culture that’s slowing down and not showing up these days?
Yeah! If I wasn’t inspired, I wouldn’t be writing about it anymore. And who’s slowing down? The new party The Carry Nation is throwing is literally called “They Went On Forever.”
I’ll also say that, in overall, the drugs have become a lot in NYC. I’m hopeful we can channel that desire to simply numb / dissociate into creating an IRL fantasy instead. We can transform the world into a better place… and still have fun! Harm reduction teas.
Can you describe your DJ sound to us today?
I’d say it’s a neon, unruly mix that skews vocal-heavy and combines “underground” electronic music with queer pop. I wanna have fun and get silly! Teddy-bear bangers and electroclash.
Where are you from originally, and did you grow up with art, music, writing, fabulosity, etc. in your life?
I’m from Atlanta, the biiiig southeastern city. My parents didn’t play lots of music around the house, so my earliest form of DJing was trying to see what music I could get away with playing in the car that me and my parents would like. It was always a mixed bag; they liked Lily Allen, but were less into Justice.
I started writing cuz I had so much enthusiasm about alternative music and no one to share it with, so I started writing it down. But I grew up in a big city with an artistic, vibrant energy… so I always knew I could do whatever my little bohemian heart desired.
What ultimately brought you to join the world of NYC nightlife and become Gay Panic?
Well I came to New York because I was reading about Juliana Huxtable, Le1f and DIY venues like 285 Kent, and I clocked that the city still was living up to its promise. I pretty quickly started writing for blogs like The Le Sigh and throwing house shows with Katie Ortiz (who now books at Purgatory) and Shannon (who now is a bicoastal baddie running Hot Cool Girl Presents)! I started DJing after DJ Accident Report saw me managing the playlist at one of those shows, and offered to teach me.
Have you had all-time favorite DJ moments or gigs? How about a “WTF” moment, lol?
I think opening for Myspace queens the Millionaires and hearing them say “shoutout to DJ Gay Panic” on the mic was def a WTF moment; Teen Me was gagged! I loved closing out the Dream Rave the summer of 2025 that the BK fairies put together; I went b2b with Charlene for the first bit of the night before closing; it was so hot a cup of ice was steaming in my hand! I also think mixing a Vroom Vroom / Gnarly mashup into a techno version of “Bella Ciao” at the gay socialist party Superstructure was another highlight. Oh, and playing Pride in the Elsewhere loft with Cute Boys in 2023! That was epic.
All amazing! Tell us about SLOP Salon, a recurring event you co-helm, which returns to Parkside Lounge on October 15!
My fave event I’ve ever thrown! Sexy Loving Original People (SLOP) Salon is a collaboration between me and the poet / performance artist Candystore. It’s a night of performance committed to presence, exchange, and experimentation for emerging and established artists alike. The prompt is new, unpolished, unrehearsed, and risky works; we want people to try out something they’ve never done before! We also encourage everyone to not use phones or devices during the performances, to offer performers what Candystore calls “full body-heart-mind presence.” It’s about letting people feel safe trying something out without worrying it’s gonna get clipped, and creating something that’s only for the lucky people in the room.
What else is coming up for you?
Everyone should stay tuned for my drag race watch party “Nobody’s Watching Drag Race” with former Mx. Nobody Winner Cuntyham… coming to a DIY loft space near you! And I’m always looking for more DJ gigs. I’m down to DJ a drag show or a bar party, but I’m especially interested in more clubby and warehouse moments! I can be flexible on $$, I’m just trying to ki.
Heard! Okay lastly, given that we’re in the spooky season: have you ever had a paranormal encounter with a ghost or UFO etc.?
Not yet. Beam me up!
Thanks GP, and congrats again on your nom!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for DJ Gay Panic’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram, LinkTree and Soundcloud. Subscribe to “The Deviant Dispatch” here.
