(03.01.06) DJ ICEY hails from Miami, Florida, where he pioneered the funky breakbeat genre, a sexy style of electronica built around beats refreshingly divergent from the monotonous “four on the floor” house number ubiquitous to dance floors.
On March 14, Icey will release four new mixes on Distinct’ive Record’s Y4K Series, which has also showcased funk powerhouses BT, Uberzone and Hybrid, three DJ’s who also got to quit their day jobs–because they’re that good, or because they work as hard as Icey is another story.
We had a chance to exchange a few words recently…
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Jenny Humphrey :: When you started spinning in the early 90’s the underground electronic scene had entered its peak. How would you describe the scene now?
DJ Icey :: I think there were two peaks, the first being in the early nineties when everything was new and wonderful and then right before the Internet Stock Market bubble burst. I find the scene to be smaller all the way around now, but the people who are into it are there because they have a passion for the music and a real love for it.
JH :: Between playing more than a hundred sets a year and running Tree and Zone Records, do you find it difficult to produce fresh, innovative new sounds?
DH :: I tend to be a workaholic and religiously dedicate time to studio work when I am not on the road. I am always vibing on something when making tracks and I don’t obsess over what it is going to sound like. If it has the right vibe and the bass-line kicks, I’m happy.
JH :: Which cities do you like spinning in the most?
DH :: I love Seattle–great scene, great city, great oysters! Denver Colorado has some great clubs, with Club Vinyl being my favorite club to spin at in America. I love Toronto and San Diego as well.
JH :: Are there any parts of the country where you don’t like to spin?
DH :: No. I don’t care if there is one light blinking in the center of the room, just give me good sound and good monitor and I am quite content.
JH :: What’s the most exciting thing about your release and tour?
DH :: Well, I am going back into some smaller markets I haven’t been to for awhile, Like Colombia, South Carolina, Charleston, Birmingham and Halifax, Nova Scotia, where I have always wanted to go. As far as the CD, I love this Mix. Usually when I finish a Mix CD I can’t listen to it, but I like popping in this Y4K mix, which is odd for me. I am a huge fan of the series and was quite pleased when they asked me to do one.
JH :: Do you ever go to clubs just to party and listen to other DJ’s?
DH :: Yes I do. I tend to prefer smaller clubs when I am off during the week. I am going to see Robbie Rivera next week at Zinc Bar in Orlando, a great little two hundred person venue.
JH :: Do people typically recognize you on the street?
DH :: Not so much, but on occasion they do, last time was when I was buying detergent at a WalMart. Very random!
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For more info about DJ Icey, visit his website here.
