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Get to know Cameron Angeli better
Q1:How long have you been in the "scene" here in LA?
I grew up in Santa Monica and have been clubbing since I was 16 - although before I went to College, it was the kind of clubbing that all of us music snobs despise.... So I never got to hear any of the music I liked when I'd go out with my buddies. My only exposure to electronic music was through Jason Bentley on KCRW. I didn't even realize that there were clubs that played the stuff I liked until I moved to Santa Barbara in 2001. From that point, I made regular trips down to LA and up to SF hitting clubs, raves and warehouse parties. It was in 2002 that I picked up DJing; however, it wasn't until I moved back from SB in 2005 that I actually got the opportunity to play out (apart from the amazingly savage house parties I was known for!!!). I have had a steady presence (both as a DJ and as a party-goer) in the House, Techno, Progressive, Electro and Downtempo scenes since.
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Q2: In your opinion, what's LA's 'edge' in the clubbing scene compared with other US cities like Miami, Detroit, New York?
Well, my answer is probably biased because I f**n love it here, but I would say that we have a huge edge over those cities simply because we have the Lakers... Back to Techno... I think this is an interesting time because up until the past few years, LA has never really defined itself in the electronica scene. Big DJs would come here play the big shows and move on. There were obviously lots of local DJs and you could always find a good show to go to, but unlike many other cities, there was not a movement started. So like most of the people here, LA’s electronica scene was transplanted from other places – only with better weather. I think that since LA has always been the entertainment capital - churning out billboard hits and box office blowouts - the mainstream styles and trends have always flourished and dominated leaving little room for those subcultures to develop. As the production behind Billboard hits has become more electronic (as is the case with artists like MIA, Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West and even 50 Cent), LA’s acceptance of electronic artists has grown. Now LA’s Minimal/Tech scene is drawing artists from all over the world. The Silverlake/Echo Park “Emo Electro” style has set the standard for what “cool” kids listen to, how they act, and what they wear. This new excitement makes LA’s emerging scene fun and unique. Even better: the die hard electronic fans that have been parting here in LA for decades, still have their parties and venues. The only difficulty comes from trying to figure out which party you’re going to go to - considering there are numbers of them on each night in all parts of town with all different styles of music. |
Q3: When was your first DJ experience & who was playing?
Growing up, I’d scene many amazing Hip Hop DJs with insane turntablism skills and most of my high school friends considered themselves novice DJs and MCs – so the idea of going to see a DJ was never really a new one for me. My first massive rave was really the place where I realized how Djing would fit into my life in a way more than simply on my ipod. It was 2001 @ Atlantis. I went with a bunch of new friends who grew up in SF and were very familiar with Trance and Progressive. Kimbal Collins threw down such a dirty, driving, progressive Trance set that the promoter let him play for an additional 3 hours through the next guy’s set and until the lights came on. It’s funny to me that of all of the artists that were there that night, he was the one that stood out to me – especially because my passion for Trance was very short lived. While he wasn’t the first DJ I’d seen, he made a big enough mark on me to make me listen to DJs differently after that. |
Q4: If given the chance, what artists would you like to work/play with?
I would like to play with Fatboy Slim. I think there are very few people who can play “Music” and not think about genres. He is one of them and he does it to perfection – always with his own influence. I’ve always strived to be that way, and to get the opportunity to share the decks with a Knight, would be unimaginable. |
Q5: What projects are you currently working on?
Music Savages is a collection of DJs and friends with a common passion for music, fun parties, good people, comedy and mustaches. Matthew Derham (from Delinquent Frequency) and I came up with the concept and I built a website (www.musicsavages.com) and we throw parties regularly with it as the backing. The website takes up a large amount of my time because in addition to showcasing our talents, I continually weave comedic elements throughout it – including Javier’s Stamp of Approval – a Blog within the site where our good friend and trained professional Javier searches for the highest horsepower mustache photo. Music Savages is holding a contest for the month of March to take the best Maximum Horsepower mustache picture. The top 5 will get Music Savage Mix CD Sets and the winner will get $50. Music Savages also has a Monthly Residency @ TechyLA on the first Wednesday of each month, and we have been regular hosts for the Honey and Jerry Lewis Lounges @ Avalon. I’ve recently began playing sets with Traktor – something I never thought I would like; however, the creative avenues that have opened up as a result have allowed me to do things I couldn’t with vinyl or CDs. I’ve also always wanted to make an artist album for my producing debut, so I have been slowly working on tracks for that – nothing released, but I have had the pleasure of working with a few great friends and producers including an amazing vocalist named Cari Golden. If I ever decide to quit my day job, my production will take the driver seat. |
Q6: Who are some of your influential artists?
Fatboy Slims, Chemical Brothers, Jason Bentley, Sasha, Nine Inch Nails, Eric Prydz, Justice, Beck, Groove Armada, Mark Farina – I could go on for a long while but it’s really anyone who has defined a unique sound for themselves – whether it be through production, song selection, musical talent or creativity. |
Q7: What are your 'top 5' electronic music tracks of all time?
This question is always hard for me because I love such a wide variety of music, so here is a shot at it in no particular order:
> Nine Inch Nails - Closer (some might not call that electronic music – I would disagree)
> Chemical Brothers – Hey Girl Hey Boy
> Fatboy Slim – Acid 8000
> Sasha – Airdrawndagger (I know it’s not one song, but I can’t say which one I love most and they should all be listened together anyway)
> LCD Soundsystem – Someone Great. |
Q8: Where can we find you?
Facebook: www.cameronangeli.com.
MySpace: www.myspace.com/cameronvangeli |
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