HRONICLE......................June 18

“I am not a real

trickster, more into creating a mood."

Playing with the crowd

Susan Morabito on her sound, the rising fame of DJs, and why most are men

by Bob Findle

Check the ads for any upcoming circuit party or club night and the chances are pretty good that the name of the DJ will be that of the male persuasion. While there are women DJs out there, Susan Morabito's name is one that comes to mind often when talking about the female side of the spin family.

Playing since 1982, Morabito has made her way in what is a male-dominated world and is now producing her own CDs (The Black Party Continuous Club Mix in 1997 and 1998's Equinox) in addition to laying down the groove live in the booth.

Cleveland native Morabito makes the rounds to various Pride events and circuit parties. She most recently DJed the weekend of June 12-13, at the Pride celebration in Los Angeles, and later in the month, June 24-25, she's back in New York City to spin at the Climax Party during Pride weekend there.

She'll be back home on July 18—the same weekend as Dancin' in the Streets-spinning at the Erie Party at Code Blue. Last summer, she entertained the masses at Gay Games V in Amsterdam. From her digs in New York, after both of us declaring our love of k.d. lang's voice, Morabito talked about the world of DJs and how she's part of it.

Bob Findle: It seems like the DJ has become more popular than the artist. What do you think?

Susan Morabito: I think the DJ should have higher billing than the performer who sings for ten minutes in the DJ's show. We are entertaining for seven, eight, ten hours. We really are the entertainment.

The reason for that, I guess, is the growth of the circuit. The day was when DJs were very well known in New York when they were paying the Saint at Large or the Paradise Garage. The thing is, you didn't have a circuit-maybe a couple of out-of-town

events.

What is happening is the circuit has gotten so large. I would say we are talking about thousands upon thousands of people partying more now than they did ten years ago. The numbers are becoming larger, therefore the DJs are traveling more. There was a day when there was really nothing outside of New York.

So, the circuit has become a social phenomenon that's made celebrities out of the DJ.

It has. Some people will choose where they go depending on the DJ. With certain DJs, you get a certain sound. But, I think some people don't give a shit who's playing the records, it's the party they are interested in.

How did you decide to become a DJ?

I was always into music. Very much into music. Any good DJ does have a heavy appreciation for music. I went out and bought a mixing board and turntable and I taught myself. I would listen to other DJs. I picked it up, figured it out.

I started off in Cleveland, in a lesbian bar. [Isis, on West 6th St.] The guy who owned that bar also owned a men's bar [Chaps, on Prospect Ave.], so one thing fell into the other. When I moved to New York [in 1987], I would always go to the men's clubs. You get to know this one and that one and you mention you're a DJ. Things fell into place.

At the time, I worked at Vinyl Mania Records and the guy there got me a gig at the Ice Palace. I did okay.

That sparked interest from other promoters. Once I got the opportunity, one door opened and then another one, and if you do well, the doors open a little wider.

How would you describe your sound? I would say I have my own sound. I do a little bit of everything but techno and rap. Basically it's high energy pop, some of it is pop, some of it has the salsa feel. I'm very versatile with my music-a little house, sleaze morning music. It is tough to categorize music.

If I had to describe my music, I'd say I play music with harmonies and melodies regardless if there are words or not. There is always a harmony and melody. It is not just a track. When you are planning what to play at a party, do you have a method?

I am not a real trickster, more into creating a mood. On occasion I will work with two records, but that is not my thing. I do think about what I'm going to play depending on what type of party it is and where the party is.

A tea dance is always going to be lighter. I have a tendency to play a little prettier and lighter when I play [Fire] Island. Beach parties are generally prettier and lighter.

Then there is a black party, which is going to be a little sexier and heavier. I do play differently depending on the party, yet it is still me. There is more than one side to me, thank God-it would be awfully boring if there wasn't.

What is it like for you to be at parties with this mad crowd writhing around you? I am aware of them. I think the reaction to the crowd depends on where you are in your career. There was a day I was really nervous. I don't get nervous any more. I get off on the crowd. I play with the crowd and feed off the crowd. It is a real give and take situation.

I set the mood by what I choose to play. Then they either feed off that mood or they don't. They either go with that mood or that don't. If they are getting the vibe, I am going to keep it up. If they are really getting into what I am doing, it's almost like it is hard to explain. I'm just having fun with them, letting go and feeling the next records. It's not like I think, "Oh, God, what am

I going to pay next?" I kind of do it. A record is being played, and I turn around and see what will feel right after that.

Do you go in with a plan?

I don't go in with a plan. I wouldn't

call it a plan. It depends on the party. You

always

want to play well. I hate to use the word plan. I want to go in and have fun, and I want them to have fun. Let's take a party.

If it is something like Equinox, which is a post black party that I do each year, that party follows a major black party, the vibe is going to be sexy and kind of dark. The Black Party is kind of dark, leather, very heavy, but this is a post black party, so I am not going to go that heavy, yet I am still going to stick with these themes, but it is going to be lighter. I'm going to be sexy.

I'm going to be a little on the dark side, which is completely opposite of a gay Pride, which would be lighter music, more anthem type music. You know--more of the throwing your arms up in the air and hugging each other.

As far as what I am going to play, I personally have no clue. You have to know how long you're going to play, slowly bring them up, peak them out. I like to play with them, get a little trippy and then bring it down.

What do you think about DJ-ing being more a male thing?

It is a male thing because more men go to the parties. One of the reason why I do play for the boys is that, even as a dancer, I always liked that kind of music. It just so happens that it is the gay men who like the kind of music I like. So, I think anybody who wants to play for the circuit, you got to play certain Continued on the facing page

Susan Morabito