Oscar G, the Miami-based DJ and producer has been a staple of the house scene for the better part of the last two decades. He has traveled the world as a DJ, and been at the helm of remixes for Madonna, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Donna Summer, and Jennifer Lopez.  He was kind enough to fill us in on life as an mover and shaker, and also give us some insight into his recently released 3 disc (2 CD / 1 DVD) offering on Nervous Records, “DJ“.

Q: When you set out to make “DJ”, was there anything you wanted to accomplish that you felt you hadn’t before?

A: I was making an attempt to define what a “DJ” is today. Producer, remixer, performer, songwriter – artist. There are many layers to what I do and many times it is difficult to bring those things together. This project allowed me to flex all of those muscles in what I hope is one cohesive album. I feel DJs, although increasingly popular, continue to have to legitimize themselves as artists / musicians. My hope is that this project continues to push that idea forward.

Q: The two audio CDs of DJ have distinct feels. What is different about the way you approach a night in a club as opposed to sitting down to work on production?

A: The biggest difference is your starting point. In the studio, you begin with a blank canvas. You are going based on an idea or feeling, and try to get those ideas to translate into music. You can experiment with sounds, lyrics, chords, patterns, notes, etc. Preparing for a live set is a whole different world, you are mostly working with finished pieces of music. You are a music selector and trying to tell a story within your set. You are also making choices based on the audience and how they react. It is a performance. I hope this project is an example of how these two worlds are connected when you are a “DJ”.

Q: The press release for “DJ” mentions that you recently made the switch from analog to digital equipment. What were your go-to pieces of gear before and with what have you replaced them?

A: I wouldn’t say I replaced them because I am always open to new sounds, analog or digital. I did recently begin working in the digital realm with Logic Pro and Pro Tools. I like the fact that it gives you more flexibility and I love the fact that I don’t have a million cables to deal with. I am currently building a room where I will be able to use the best of both worlds. I love the efficiency of the software but I miss the balls that I got from my TR-909 and Matrix 1000!

Q: While in Miami for WMC, I found my way into a Cuban restaurant. Almost everybody was dancing. Can you talk about how you think your roots and growing up in Miami influenced your desire to DJ?

I think my roots and upbringing are probably my biggest influence. Cuban music and culture is in my blood and I always find myself going back to it for inspiration. I was also heavily influenced by a thriving local club scene when i was a kid. I would listen to DJ Ciro Llerena in the 80s, who did the first live club broadcasts on the radio in Miami every week. He was a huge influence on me and was really among the first people who helped me understand DJing as an art form. He still has a loyal following in Miami and continues to play on the radio. Danny Tenaglia was also a big influence during his early years as a Miami resident.

Q: If you could design the perfect club, what would it be like? What would make it unique?

A: Dark room, great sound system, ample DJ booth, great lights and light jockey. No VIP, No guestlist, No dress code, No obnoxious door staff. The music would make it unique. Back to basics.

Q: Your bio says you made your start in ’91. Having spent almost 20 years around electronic music, can you point to one period when it felt like there was something really special happening?

A: I think there is always something special happening in music. There is always a new kid with great new ideas who has been inspired somehow by someone. I think we all have an era where we initially fell in love with this music, and that tends to be the era we think is special. I actually am inspired constantly by new music and DJs that I listen to. The exciting thing about electronic music is that it continues to grow and evolve.

Q: Who was the last DJ to provide you with an incredible night out?

A: I really enjoyed Luciano at this year’s WMC. I was happy to see drums making a return to the dance floor. I missed them!

Q: When you’re remixing music composed by someone else, do your priorities lie in keeping with the original spirit of the song or making it your own?

A: It really depends on the song. Most of the time I like to keep the original spirit of the song somehow. There are also times when the artist will ask me to take it further into my world, then there are times when all I will use is a tiny vocal snippet and build the rest from scratch.

Tags: dj, Oscar G