Profiles of some of the best 60s / Mod DJs in North America - Part II

 

Just a few weeks away from joining the appreciative and energetic crowd of the MODchicago 10: The Underground Symposium weekender, I present to you part II in a series featuring some of the best and most dedicated Mod DJs this continent has spawned. I can’t express how honored I feel about joining this expert league of needle manipulators. If you have missed part I, make sure to have a look here at the new inductees of the Parka Avenue Hall of Fame.

If you want to nominate somebody or simply wish to toot your own horn about your prowess as a master selector, get in touch with me. The Parka Avenue Hall of Fame has some space to fill!

- Your name / DJ name: Katie Rinaldi AKA Miss KT

- City: Los Angeles by way of Chicago

- How would you describe your musical style?

My musical style is eclectic. I grew up in a musical household with The Kinks as a staple. As far as what I spin it's mainly uptempo R&B and Garage sprinkled with Italian Beat and Brazilian Fuzz.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

The one track that is always in my box is Soulful Dress by Sugar Pie Desanto. Don't ask me why but I love to start my set with it.

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection?

The record that's missing is Brian Diamond and the Cutters Shake Shout and Go. I want this one so bad it hurts. The first time I went to Spin Out, a 60s night in La, Dan Melendez was playing it. I almost knocked everyone over on my sprint to the dj booth to see the record I so badly wanted. Who knew it was in my city this whole time. So close but out of reach.

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

I am always at Live Kicks! It's a Wednesday night here in Los Angeles at Los Globos. There are live bands every Wednesday and I'm always on the decks.

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

YES! I love it! Love the sound, the thrill of the hunt, the satisfaction and my cute little record box.

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

Everywhere. I love Rockaway Records in Silver Lake. They set up a turntable for me and I can get lost in their 45 boxes for hours. It's my form of mediation.

- Your name / DJ name

DJ Soulmarcosa aka DJ Marco Hammond aka Mark Weddington

- City

Originally from Triangle area of NC, currently residing in Echo Park, Los Angeles CA.

- How would you describe your musical style?

Go-Go Internacionale or International Psychedelic Soul.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

I've got a ton, but I've got to represent my Carolina roots with 1979's Gator Time by Essence of Truth on JuJu. 

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection?

The list keeps getting bigger but Rings & Things "Strange Things Are Happening" is a longtime want. I know of two copies currently up for sale in the 3-figure range, but I spent my money on a ticket to MODchicago instead... absolutely no regrets there!

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

The revival of THE HONEY MACHINE in Los Angeles takes place on Friday July 6 and should become monthly or bimonthly after that. Find out more here. I'm also a frequent guest at FUNKY SOLE and do spots from time to time at parties like BLACKEYED SOUL CLUB, UBIQUITY'S THE MOVEMENT, and DR. WHO.

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

For me personally, yes. Doing the research, traveling the country for spots and meeting new people in the process, drinking with friends at swaps, digging for hours to find that gem, holding the record in your hands while you clean it, spinning the actual artifact in front of an appreciative crowd who doesn't know the difference (but with other DJs who definitely do), it's all part of the experience and the culture. It shows that as a DJ, you care. Downloading MP3s from a blog and playing from a laptop just doesn't compare.

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

In North Carolina, the Raleigh Fairgrounds Flea Market was an often frustrating experience with incredible heat and humidity in the summer and biting cold in the winter. But it definitely yielded some gems like The Cykle and Moses Dillard Tex-Town Display albums for less than $5 apiece. In Los Angeles on Saturdays, I love hanging out at RECORDS LA with all the local DJs who inevitably roll through and proprietor Scott Craig who inevitably supplies everyone with free beer. Good Records NYC and the ModChicago record swaps at Delilah's are up there too!

- Your name / DJ name: Cassandra Holbrook / Bossy Boots!

- City:  Brooklyn / NYC

- How would you describe your musical style?

Moving & making move. This can range from early 50’s - late 60’s R&B, Blues, Popcorn and Soul to Garage-Mod-Freakbeat-Psych and Heavy / Stoner rock. I tend to like a lot of midtempo records and odd combinations of styles; raw production is nice too. I most enjoy mixing all the styles together and I am always given free rein at ModChicago! I don’t pre-plan any of my sets, ever.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning.

Hmmm..... prob. The Bit’ a Sweet – Is It On - Is it Off?  People love it & so do I, though I get bored with the same records over and over.

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection? 

Well I have to name TWO because there’s always an R&B and always a R&R:  so,  Carl Underwood – Ain’t You Lyin (Merging)  & Psycho – You Need Me (Frantic)  F*** I love these records.

 

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

I promote nights in bed .... zzz... just kidding.  Unfortunately I have to get up very early these days which curtails dj’ing ‘til 4am.  Occasionally I do on invitation. Last one was the Jonathan Toubin ‘Home Sweet Home’ party I think... & Rhythm n’Booze in Atlanta with my friend Brian Poust.

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

Out? Yes. In? No.  I love grabbing all the amazing stuff that comes up on YouTube now and downloading all the things I’ll never be able to have. 

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

  

I love eBay & Record Fairs (both for the digging around & the for the geekery). I always do WFMU here in the city, usually Allentown in PA, aspire to Austin & Birmingham, hopefully one day even Utrecht!  And hopefully one day Detroit!

Far from considering myself one of the top DJs from this great land, I thought that I could nonetheless play at my own game.

- Your name / DJ name: Patrick Foisy aka DJ Parka Pat

- City: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

- How would you describe your musical style?

Anything that will light up a dancefloor that has more likely been recorded between 1960 and 1969. I like playing obscure versions of well-known singles. I get an added kick out of spinning a French version of a popular 60s English title. I love seeing the faces of dancers suddenly realizing that it's not the song they were expecting and going: "Whaaaat?" A typical Parka Pat track is usually Soul, up-tempo, has lots of hand clapping and a drum break in the middle.  I call it the Modtreal sound.

- What is your “go to” track? The one you will likely never get tired of spinning?

Funny how when you ponder on your own questions, suddenly you realize they're not easy to answer. So let's go with Ooh Poo Pah Do by Skip Easterling. I have great memories of picking up that 45 in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

- Regardless of price, name THE record that is missing from your collection?

The easy answer would be Frank Wilson's Do I Love You (Indeed I do) but I would probably end up selling it to pay off my mortgage. I wouldn't mind putting my hands on Frankie Beverly and The Butlers - That's What You Wanted.

- Where can we see you spin on a regular basis? Tell us about the night or an event you would like to promote.

The Mod Club night at Blizzarts in Montreal. It has been going strong every Saturday for almost 5 years now. I spin on average once a month. I owe it all to DJ Lee Modern and Parklife.

- Is vinyl the only acceptable format for playing your style of music?

I pride myself in playing only vinyl and 99% of it is at a speed of 45 rpm. I  believe it takes real dedication, commitment and effort to build a record collection you can be proud of. Besides, when played in a club, it just sounds better. But I'm not a snob about it.

- What is your favorite place to buy records?

At any local record shop while on a trip. You leave the city with some great music and a meaningful souvenir. I picked up quite a few gems in places like Detroit, Chicago, Boston, New Orleans and Memphis. You can read all about my record digging expeditions on this very blog.