I used to be on the Hollerboard all the time when I was in school (back when I DJ’d house parties in Raleigh, NC). One summer I needed some design work, something to keep me busy and I wanted to combine my interest in dance music with design so I made a post advertising my design skills on the Hollerboard. Curtis Vodka was the only one who hit me up. I ended up doing quite a few myspace profile pics, a record sleeve, and a bunch of mixtape covers for him in exchange for tracks and I guess the experience.
I lost track of Mr. Vodka for a couple years and just now got back in touch with him. I decided to ask him a few questions and requested a special mix for our blog. Enjoy!
What’s happening? Where have you been? What have you been up to recently?
I have been in a little rough spot for the past few months. Dealing with illness & family stuff.
I had to turn down a lot of remix offers and gigs. Pretty brutal overall, but things will get better.
You’ve kind of been one of those DJs/Producers that has adapted to the trends that have unfolded since this resurgence of dance music began a few years ago, how do you stay on top of what’s going on and keep moving forward?
Yeah, I usually like some of these shifts. It really has helped me in a lot of ways in, like, being from Alaska and the internet being my main base/source for the “outside world” and also helped me production wise in all number of fields. I don’t really like being labeled as some one who jumps on “the trend”, but I do admit that I like some of what has been happening. I enjoyed them while they “last”.
How has music changed since you started DJing? What do you like about it/hate about it?
I really don’t know. I am still young and I have been into DJing for almost 8 years. but I don’t have a background in knowing much of this change. I like doing what I am doing, though!
What have you been listening to lately (however relevant to this mix or not)?
Just a lot of Thrash/Black Metal, Techno, Classic/Deep House and some Jazz.
You made ambient music for awhile under the name Child Drinks Clouds? Do you still make music like that? How does that influence your production now?
That was a weird faze in my teenage life! School sucked, doing a lot of drugs, women sucked, everything sucked!
I don’t even know what I was doing really. I don’t think about it much anymore and I haven’t done anything under that name since.
What ever happened to Russian Baile?
I don’t know, the Russians disappeared!
You made us a first mix (which was good) and now have made us another mix, why did you decide to remake the mix?
I am digging the vibe way more!
Tell us a little about the tracks?
These tracks have a very Alaskan summer vibe, a very Twilight at 2pm vibe.
What’s up next for Curtis Vodka? Where are you going next?
Got some remixes coming out along with a 12inch for OTB Records.
I have been working on more originals, lately.
Top 3 producers?
Simian Mobile Disco (I’ll count them as one!)
Radio Slave
Carl Craig
Thanks, Curtis!
Download Curtis Vodka’s Moon Goon Guest Mix
Tracklist:
1. Dolle Jolle – Balearic Incarnation (Todd Terje’s Extra Doll Mix)
2. Tony Watson – Passages
3. Gatto Fritto – Hungry Ghosts
4. Roman Flugel – Green Tea
5. Kerri Chandler – Atmosphere (Jerome’s Runaway Dub)
6. Maas – Suture
7. Felix – Tiger Stripes
8. The Dells – Get On Down (Theo Parrish Re-edit)
9. Fritz Zander – Ulrich
10. Sis – Pinto
11. Model 500 – I Wanna Be There (Edit)
12. Stephen Brown – How I Feel
