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We interviewed Angel Star, an NYC-based DJ for Hysteria By GIRLONFILM Issue 03 "THE SLEAZE". Read about all things musical influences, hidden gems, and Angel Star's thoughts on striking a balance with the chaos of nightlife and keeping your sanity.
INTRODUCING ANGEL STAR:
Q: PLEASE TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT LED YOU TO PURSUE BEING A DJ.
A: Just a Dominican Boy from Washington Heights doing his thing; being a DJ is definitely one of em but I’ve always had that desire since I was 10 listening to deadmau5 mixes and thinking how cool that was.
Then when I got a job later on in life I brought a controller and went to work.
Q: QUICK! ENLIGHTEN US WITH SOME HIDDEN GEMS! WHAT ARTISTS DO YOU THINK MORE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?!?
A: Scruz has been KILLING IT with his sounds; can’t never go wrong with Salute (absolute legend); AshZone has been making waves and I’m loving their new track “move your body”. The hidden duo AutoTune goes INSANE with their sound which I’ve been adoring so much.
BIG shoutout to DGNR8; I love those mfs and can’t wait to hear what’s next for them.
Q: CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF THE MUSICAL INFLUENCES THAT HAVE PROFOUNDLY IMPACTED YOUR SETS AND HELPED SHAPE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
A: A lot of my influence in sound definitely goes towards Daft Punk; Todd Edwards; LONE; Jai Paul; Justice to name a few.
BUT when it comes to genre it's such a long variety I can’t even explain it before I get into geek mode haha. Sound is such a magical thing!
Q: WHAT PRE-GIG RITUALS OR MUST-HAVES DO YOU SWEAR BY?
A: I try my best to download as much music as possible before any set I do; I kinda use CDJs as my Sandbox and play around with it until I find my touch and want what I want going for the night.
For must-haves; just give me a French 75 to start and I’m ready to go :)
Q: SHARE THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS, UNEXPECTED, OR SURREAL GIG MOMENT THAT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED.
A: DJing at rolling loud back in 2019 was INSANE.
I remember I couldn’t even touch my phone after that set I did with yoshi24k because my hands were moving so damn much.
But it really did feel like a blink of an eye because everything was happening so quickly; unreal time for sure.
Q: HOW DO YOU STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN IMMERSING YOURSELF IN THE MUSIC AND MAINTAINING YOUR OWN SANITY AMIDST THE CHAOS OF THE NIGHTLIFE?
A: I don’t like really paying people too much mind; that’s the main factor why I hate song requests. If you want to listen to the music you wanna listen to so badly; throw a party at your crib and call it a night. No one wants to listen to the same bad bunny track 10 times out of the night (no shade though)
Actually, I remember a time when some dude offered me 100 bucks to play creed at the club and I was trying so hard not to burst out laughing; soooo good.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO UNWIND ONCE THE NIGHT IS “OVER”?
A: The night can definitely be a long one but a nice one liter of ice cold water and Xbox calms me down for sure.
Q: BEFORE WE GO, CAN YOU LEAVE US WITH A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU?
A: I have a couple of ideas for some merchandise that I’m trying to put out and I may have a track in the works?
Who knows.
I’m planning a HUGE event very soon, but lips are sealed. Keep a lookout.
Q: FINALLY, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR A MESSAGE THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH HYSTERIA READERS?
A: Always do you and be unapologetically yourself.
Keep 10 toes down because there will ALWAYS be someone trying to drag u down in anywhere shape or form.
Don’t let that bother you and you’ll be just fine.
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