DJ Manero – Fashion’s Night Out at HUGO BOSS from cnnctd* on Vimeo.

By Listening to your live sets, it gives a great indication of the cross culture/genre variety of music you have, sometimes mixing songs from the 80’s 90’s and modern day within minutes. It’s actually rather remarkable. Every DJ does some sort of preparation for their set. How much time do you dedicate on planning your sets?I stopped planning my sets months back. A friend of mine, Mel Debarge, told me to never plan “JUST PLAY!!!” – nothing sounds the same as it does when your practicing. So I stopped planning. I do spend hours a week behind the turntables and organizing my music/setting up crates. My night starts once the first record is played. The crowd will determine where the night will go!

Do you have any experience in music outside of the DJ world?I played the drums in Jr. High, and got the opportunity to work for UMG/SRC. That really turned the switch on to get into the DJ world. I wanted to be the one playing the records, rather then the one sending them out.

Did you ever consider producing?100%! DJing is now a open invitation to start producing. Music production now isn’t what it used to be, all you need is time and a computer, you can pretty much get any sound/effect online. I produced a few edits of my own that have been working out for me really well. Which sparked the idea to invest alittle more time into production. Myself and another DJ Kyle Rayner, recently decided to start alittle duo “Bert & Ernie”. We have worked on a few remix projects I was given from my management everything we have put out has gotten a solid review. We’ll see what the future brings. I’m considering SAE as well, It’s getting pretty cold out always a good time to invest time into something new.

How much time out of the day would you say you dedicate to your craft?I try to get behind the turntables as much as I can. Searching for new music becomes second nature. The second I touch my computer, I’m look for something new/old, remix or just spending my time organizing my music. It’s kind of a OCD!

Did any particular DJ’s or artists influence you specifically?Of course, I think a good percent of everything you do is influenced/inspired by someone or something. Everyone has there own signature move or something they are know for so taking something you admire, respect & like from everyone, learning and watching builds your style. I think Serato made it possible to take a little bit from everyone that inspires you and create your style. DJ AM, Mark Ronson, Riz, Jazzy Jeff, A-Trak, Z-Trip, Stretch Arm Strong even Moby as a DJ has inspired me in some way. There’s a bunch of others I was fortunate to watch or learn from over the years. Vitale, Sal Morale, Sinatra, Mel Debarge, Mick Boogie, Ross One, Tommy Virture if I’m forgetting anyone sorry!!! I have a lot of respect for everyone in this game. But the game has changed and it’s more then just music.

Of all the genres you mix, do you have a favorite?I think I started out being a high BMP guy (Electro/Indie/80’s). Now I have a big interest in making my Hip-Hop sets super impactful and creative.

Do you have a particular venue or city you prefer to play in? If so, why?Traveling hasn’t been a major part of my career yet. I have a few interesting trips in the works. Utah, San Diego, Brazil, Paris & London and I’m planning to start making Miami a frequent stop.

Do you prefer working with vinyl or CDJ’s?Vinyl! I’ve tired to use CDJ’s before, but was never 100% comfortable using them. The best way to describe the feeling of using CDJ’s is there’s no feeling. When you use vinyl, you have the song at your finger tips, the process of mixing with CDJ’s is very similar, and to someone that doesn’t DJ, it can come off as exactly the same. But the feeling you have when your playing off vinyl is incomparable.

Your doing a live gig, what is the most essential equipment you need?LapTop, Headphones, Needles, Records, Charger, Asthma Pump & Tums!

How would you describe your style of music to someone that’s never heard you before, what can they expect when they come hear you live?I have fun, I take chances and hope for the best. I play each night differently and don’t follow a script. So many things can determine where your nights going to go!

What sets you apart from the other DJs out there?Being yourself sets you apart, it’s not as if we all don’t have the same music. It’s different now-a- days, back in the day your set was what you saved up to buy from the record store, you owned

your set. Now everyone and anyone can play anything! Keep it creative it’s only music!

What music are you into right now? Any particular artists or tracks that you like to feature during sets or any songs you put on that really get the crowd going?It depends where your playing – in some rooms Kesha/Chuckie/Afrojack could be the best thing you play others Notorious B.I.G/Wiz Khalifa/Lil Wayne can win the crowd. But I’ve added some new staples to my set that are fun and always get a raise out of people.

If you had a chance of working with one Artist from any decade and collaborate on making a record, who would it be?

Madonna!

What was the first record you have ever purchased?I my first record purchase was Big Pimpin’ from the only record store in my own neighborhood, Music Stop which recently closed. I also just bought the record to be cool, didn’t have turntables or anything. I soon traded my sneakers for turntables and a few creates.

What record do you play that never fails and never lets you down?Public Service Announcement, No Speak Americano, ONE, Hypnotized, Butterfly – Crazy Town every crowd/club has a different energy but these work off the top of my head.

Do you have a vinyl collection? How big is it?I do, it’s growing daily, I have some hand me downs, did a lot of bulk buying in the beginning cause I just wanted a lot of records but its getting there. I invest my money now into disco stuff. Buying vinyl is educational, there’s alot of B side finds.

What’s the worst/best gig that you ever had?I enjoy every gig, 95% of the time. I’m never alone at my gigs, so no matter how bad it is we make it something. I recently did a MS Charity event with Models Hotel and Tommy Hilfiger in DC, had a blast. My weekly stuff is always a blast.

DJ Manero has become a household name in the nightlife industry; we have to ask how did you come up with your name? What’s the story behind that?Manero was given to me by a friend. I started out as Young Volta, because of my resemblance to John Travolta. John Travolta’s character in Saturday Night Fever was Tony Manero, which was filmed in my neighborhood where I grew up(Bay Ridge, Brooklyn). Once I started to get some paying gigs the Young Volta wasn’t fly anymore and had no marketability so MANERO stuck.

Describe your early days and the come up in the very competitive nightlife industry; what steps did you take to achieve success?The early days never go away! The early days make you how you are … When your planned set is over and you don’t want to play any main hour records, When the main hour DJ is late and the club is starting to get busy, Songs feel like they are ending every 20 seconds, The feeling of every eye is on you, The little mistake you make to make the music go out for a second. HAHA These are all things that happened to me in the beginning. I’m still in my early days I learn something new every time I touch the turntables! Competition and paying your dues are mumbling. The game changed, there’s a lot more that goes into being a DJ then just playing records. If your thinking of becoming a DJ, work in a record store on the weekends, go to Law School during the day, then go out every night and watch! It’s not souly based on talent anymore, that’s what makes this a game! It’s all how you play it and how much you want it. As far as success I think I’m very successful I enjoy my life day & night, there’s always the want for more, but 2011 looks very promising! This industry is helping me build another business that I look forward to everyday as well! BE CREATIVE!

What advice would you give to the up and coming DJ’s/Promoters on the scene today?Put your all into it everyday, and don’t only sit in front of your turntables, understand and learn how the industry moves!

Give your opinion on the scene today.The scene today is not what it used to be. The same way the door opened to become a DJ that door has opened just as fast to do anything else you can dream of! My advise is have fun and if you want to be a Photographer on Monday, DJ on Tuesday, Stylist on Wednesday, Designer on Thursday, Promoter on Friday, Skateboarder on Saturday and a Cook on Sunday! KILL IT! Cause until you’ve tried everything you won’t know what’s you! I look to learn something new everyday!