D3RKIN – “When I Was Younger I Used To Get Picked On”

D3RKIN Chicago native has been in the scene for close to two decades playing small to large scale events. Over the years D3RKIN played alongside music industry heavy hitters Daft Punk, Derrick Carter, Roy Davis Jr., & Paul Johnson to name a few. As a producer D3RKIN’s music has done well getting support from House music legends like Mark Farina & Roy Davis Jr., and being featured on sites like Beatport, Traxsource, and Stompy. Check out D3RKIN’s exclusive Q&A with S&S below.

S&S: What’s your style of music? How do you describe it?
D3RKIN: My music style ranges from funky to raw banging house. I don’t really conform to one genre, I make and play what I like and enjoy being able to change it up and keep it fresh.

S&S: Who or what was most instrumental to you when it came to music?
D3RKIN: Bad Boy Bill was probably the most instrumental DJ influence to me. Growing up in Chicago during the 80’s and 90’s it was hard not have been influenced by House Music it was on the radio and played in almost every club. I used to listen Bad Boy Bill on the radio every Friday night before I was old enough to get into any club.

S&S: What drives you creatively?
D3RKIN: Creatively I usually have to be in the right state of mind, and most of the time I just play around and try to mimic the sounds I hear in my head. Sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn’t, but the ones that don’t work out I still save the projects and come back to them with fresh ears. There is always elements from tracks that didn’t work out that can be used in new tracks you are making.

S&S: How much does your audience influence you and your music selection?
D3RKIN: I try not to be influenced by the crowd to much but I do feed off the energy of the dance floor. I try to bring them on a journey and try to create exciting moments by taking risks. As far as my music selection goes I play what I like but I am lucky in this aspect as what I like the crowd usually does too.

S&S: What artists or genres do you listen to when you’re not working?
D3RKIN: When not working I listen to mostly a combination of 90’s Hip Hop (Tribe Called Quest, Lords Of The Underground, etc…), Disco, 80’s Music (Prince, The Cars, The Police, etc…)and mixes from some of my favorite DJs. (Mark Farina, Bad Boy Bill Hot Mix Series 1-17, Derrick Carter, Ean Golden, Rescue, etc…)

S&S: Do you have any favorite memories of growing up with your family?
D3RKIN: My grandparents used to have these big 4th of July parties at their house and would invite all our family and friends. The adults would talk, tell stories of good times past, laugh, and tell jokes. The kids would play games like hide and seek, and it. Later on when it got dark the adults would put on a firework show. I really miss those parties they were a lot of funn!

S&S: Is there anything you would like people to know about you?
D3RKIN: When I was younger I used to get picked on a lot! You are probably wondering why I would want people to know this about me? Well I want people to know this about me because it was this that made me so driven and helped me accomplish so many of my goals. It made me want to be the best at everything I do. Because of this I can break dance, draw well, DJ, make music, and own a award winning remodeling company. So if you can take anything away from this take whatever is negative in your life and figure out a way to use it to motivate yourself.

S&S: Are there any charities you are working with or excited to tell us about?
D3RKIN: Not at this time, but would like to work with kids to teach about DJing and music production to preserve our culture of music to make sure it will be around for many generations to come to enjoy.

S&S: Are there any questions that you wish people would ask you?
D3RKIN: I don’t really have any questions in particular that I wish people would ask. Although I do like when people ask me about what I do as it gives me a chance to share my passion with them.

S&S: And on the flip side of that, are there any questions or references you wish people would stop asking or using?
D3RKIN: The only questions that bugs me is when I am in the middle of mixing and someone ask me if I take request and I say no but they still proceed to ask if I could play whatever song is popular on the radio at that time. This used to never happen but now seems happen all the time.

S&S: What artist(s) have you been the most excited to work with?
D3RKIN: I have been lucky to work on quite a few remixes. One of which I am super excited about is a remix of Farley Jackmaster Funk feat. Darryl Pandy – Love Can’t Turn Around that will be a limited addition vinyl release on DJ International Records.

S&S: Are there any artists that you dream of working with on a collaboration?
D3RKIN: I would love to have the chance to work with MAW, MK, Dajae, DJ Sneak, & Daft Punk.

S&S: What can we look forward to next from you?
D3RKIN: I have quite a few new releases that will be coming out on our label Gaia Recordings. I am also working on a full LP that will be crossing quite a few genres.

S&S: What legacy would you like to leave?
D3RKIN: I would like to leave behind timeless music and mixes for generations to come to discover and enjoy.

Q&A By: Shannon “Skip” Syas – S&S Chicago

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