DJ Feature:
Donis
BIO
35s & 45s:
Donis is a Dominican American, Brooklyn born DJ, producer and multidisciplinary artist helping keep the underground dance music of Brooklyn authentic. Making a name locally for the past few years by playing killer sets at parties via Bossa Nova Civic Club, Mood Ring, Black Flamingo and most recently Nowadays - Donis has slowly began the journey into music production and curating events. Helping build and expand Half Moon Radio - an independent music and media company that covers and reinforces emerging culture around the world through radio, events, editorial, and educational workshops - his network of creatives is expansive, collaborating with many different people in many different facets. His sets are wide-open, spanning high energy sonic waves of house, reggaeton, techno, jazz, funk, disco and everything in between.
IG: @donis.bk
SC: @donis-bk
Listen to Donis’s Series Shift all 7” vinyl 45s mix:
Tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where are you based now?
From New York, based in New York. Dominican American from Bushwick. Born in 96, my family’s been in New York since the 70s. Got into music through my dad being a percussionist, he’s definitely a major influence on my musical practice.
How long have you been collecting records, djing, etc?
I’ve been collecting records since 2015, before I was really DJ’ing heavy. The first couple of records I got were probably from urban outfitters or some shit haha. I started working in this restaurant in the LES and would head to A1 records in the East village after work to dig. I was really into disco, soul and funk music at the time. So yeah I guess you can say I’ve been buying records for 6 years, but I’ve been DJ’ing for 3.
What are your favorite spots to go digging and why?
This is probably a generic answer, but A-1 is top 5. They have so much good shit and probably the best dance music collection in New York. But aside from that, I’ve really enjoyed Second Hand Records, Fede’s spot. There’s also this spot called Brooklyn Record Exchange. They’re one of the very few shops that had a Baltimore club section. That was lit.
Do you find you’re more attached to a particular record depending on where you got it from or first experienced it?
Yeah, there’s definitely records that have left a crazy impact on me, just hearing them outside. hearing them in clubs or at block parties, shit like that.
“I hope that everybody just does them to the fullest extent, authentically.”
Can you tell us a little bit about the mix you’ve put together for us (where it was recorded, the vibe, etc.)?
I recorded that in my crib, it’s been a minute since I’ve done a full 45 set. So I was kinda nervous, I started stressing the blends. But then I was like “alright man, you not gonna have fun if this is going to be your approach” especially with 45’s. If you trying to be perfect on those shits, you might as well off yourself. I definitely played a lot of records that reminded me of Natasha Diggs. She was definitely a heavy influence on me, even deciding I wanted to collect 45s. Played a lot of Soul in the Horn type tracks, a lot of Garage classics.
What are some of your top few favorite records to play on the regular?
Tell us an interesting story about a 45 record in particular.
Off the top of my head, there’s this record called Just Be Yourself by The Pretenders. Me and Natasha Diggs always joked around about doing like a Self Love themed mix and play a bunch of self positive tracks on some hotep shit haha. Maybe it’ll happen.
You played at Mood Ring often, what was one of your favorite moments from those nights?
Favorite moment at Mood Ring was definitely the Capricorn Season party I did with Craig, Karen and Guario. It was a fun ass night man, shit was…. you already know Mood Ring goes. It was packed to the brim, I remember Karen was so folded she fell through the back door at the DJ booth, shit was wild. Fun ass night.
What do you think or what do you hope for the future of djing as a whole?
I definitely want to see new and better spaces. I want to hear better sound systems. I want to go to shit that’s really well done and well curated. As far as DJ’ing specifically, in general? I don’t know man, I hope that everybody just does them to the fullest extent, authentically.
Do you have any preference over genre when you play or maybe when you play particular places or parties?
Yeah, I definitely try to cater to people. More on some open format shit, I’ve gotten out of this headspace where I’m like, “I’m just going to do me, I’m just gonna play what I want and thats it.” These days, I’m really tryna play for the crowd and try to get the most energy out of them. So no I wouldn’t say I have a preferred genre but playing House definitely comes easiest to me.
With your Dad being a musician, have you always been around music growing up?
Yeah, I’ve always been around music because of my dad.
He's a professional percussionist?
Yeah in D.R. he was playing heavy, he appeared on TV and shit like that. I would say he’s one of the best Latin Percussionist in the world, to me at least.
Is there any particular song that you learned from him that you play or was impactful?
Fania All Stars - Vente Conmigo
Does how you DJ impact the way you make music?
Definitely. I definitely think about arrangements and blends when I’m making music.
Some of Donis’s Releases:
Dreamscape (House of Alter)
Majick (Coloring Lessons)
Ha Dance Flip (Sorry Records)
You produce music as well. How long have you been producing music?
I still feel super new to it. I feel like I don’t produce enough to even say that I’m a producer. I had put out my first couple of tracks on compilations last year towards the end. But this my first year really going hard.
You helped co-found and build Half Moon Radio. How has that journey been and how has it impacted your DJing life?
It’s been crazy for sure. I’ve had a lot of first through Half Moon. I didn’t even know how to use CDJ’S until I started my residency. I got to curate my own parties, did 2 or 3 parties at Black Flamingo. We collaborated with Uptown Vinyl Supreme up at the Bronx Beer Hall, which was one of the best parties ever. I got to dabble with putting line ups together and curating for a little bit. Definitely gained a lot of insight into the DJ world through my time with them.
What would be an ideal setting in your mind for an amazing party? Setting, sound system, maybe even line up?
Definitely want to dance in nature. I haven’t really experienced a proper rave in the woods. I would love to play some shit in the woods with a proper sound system, subs, lights and all that. That’s definitely the wave this summer, a beach party would be lit too. As far as line ups go, I’m down for whatever. There’s so many good DJ’s, especially in NY. List goes on forever.
Is there anything coming up from you people should be on the lookout for? EP, party, whatever.
I would say be on the look out for self released projects at some point this year. Like I said I feel new to it so I’m taking my time.
If anything, what do you want people to think or feel when listening to your DJ sets?
I don’t want people to think anything at all, I want people to just be in it 100% no thoughts just vibes, all movement. I just want people to let go and dance.
Donis Series Shift Track List:
Tom Browne - Funkin for Jamaica (N.Y.)
Slave - Watching You
First Choice - Love Thang
Skye - Ain’t No Need (Dance Version)
Sylvia Striplin - Give Me Your Love
Antiballas - Che Che Cole (Makossa)
Coke Escovedo - I wouldn’t Change a Thing
Ritchie Family - I’ll Do My Best
Unlimited Touch - Searching To Find The One (Remix)
Frank Hooker & Positive People - This Feelin’
Candido - Dancin & Prancin
Herbie Hancock - I thought It Was You
Dr Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band - Cherchez La Femme/Se Si Bon
Gregory Porter - On My Way To Harlem
War - Ballero
Brooklyn People - Peace & Love
Yambu - Sunny
Light of The World - Time (Club Mix)
Hamilton Bohannon - Me & the Gang
The Pretenders - Just Be Yourself
79.5 - Terrorize My Heart (45 Edit)
Sister Sledge - Boogie Oogie Oogie
LTG Exchange - Waterbed