I first met Jeremy Rodriguez, alias DJ Chupacabras, years ago through a mutual friend and co-worker, Josh Houtkin (DJ JDH) who threw, and continues to throw the wildly popular FIXED party in NYC. Both from Texas, Jeremy immediately struck me as laid-back and very funny, with an infectious laughter that belied his vast knowledge of music and considerable skills and popularity as a DJ. (Maybe it’s a Texas thing — lack of pretension and an ego kept well in-check must go with the territory.)
Only a few months ago I somehow ended up at Will Eastman’s U Street Music Hall in DC after catching another old friend play a headlining gig at the Black Cat. (The nickname, “U-Hall” led to considerable initial confusion on my part as I struggled to envision the kind of underground rager that would take place at a self-service trucking company…) When we arrived, however, all became clear. The dance floor was packed and I soon recognized a familiar face in the DJ booth. Jeremy was on the 1’s and 2’s, killing it as usual, and the surprise reunion reminded me of just what a warm-hearted, talented, not to mention cool guy he was and is.
Which is why I contacted my old friend a few weeks ago while he was on a European tour playing hot spots in Berlin, Rotterdam, London, Barcelona, and other semi-exotic locales. I asked him if he would spin at WEIRD’s 1 yr. anniversary and happily, he agreed. (Full disclaimer: This is the dance party I throw with Meghan Worsham at NY Deli the third Sat. of every month.) He was also kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions, to better let the Richmond party people know where he’s from, what he’s been up to, and where he’s headed. Here’s what he had to say…
I first met Jeremy Rodriguez, alias DJ Chupacabras, years ago through a mutual friend and co-worker, Josh Houtkin (DJ JDH) who threw, and continues to throw the wildly popular FIXED party in NYC. Both from Texas, Jeremy immediately struck me as laid-back and very funny, with an infectious laughter that belied his vast knowledge of music and considerable skills and popularity as a DJ. (Maybe it’s a Texas thing — lack of pretension and an ego kept well in-check must go with the territory.)
Only a few months ago I somehow ended up at Will Eastman’s U Street Music Hall in DC after catching another old friend play a headlining gig at the Black Cat. (The nickname, “U-Hall” led to considerable initial confusion on my part as I struggled to envision the kind of underground rager that would take place at a self-service trucking company…) When we arrived, however, all became clear. The dance floor was packed and I soon recognized a familiar face in the DJ booth. Jeremy was on the 1’s and 2’s, killing it as usual, and the surprise reunion reminded me of just what a warm-hearted, talented, not to mention cool guy he was and is.
Which is why I contacted my old friend a few weeks ago while he was on a European tour playing hot spots in Berlin, Rotterdam, London, Barcelona, and other semi-exotic locales. I asked him if he would spin at WEIRD’s 1 yr. anniversary and happily, he agreed. (Full disclaimer: This is the dance party I throw with Meghan Worsham at NY Deli the third Sat. of every month.) He was also kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions, to better let the Richmond party people know where he’s from, what he’s been up to, and where he’s headed. Here’s what he had to say…
CHECK OUT HIS HAPPY DAYS MIX HERE
ANNA: Where are you from? Where did you grow up?
Chupacabras: San Antonio, Texas
ANNA: What kind of music did you listen to growing up?
Chupacabras: I listened to Indie Rock, Heavy Metal, Hip Hop and “Oldies” music thanks to my Dad.
ANNA: What type of music do you most like to spin?
Chupacabras: I guess Italo is my favorite, but old school Detroit Techno, Chicago House, Acid and Boogie as well. I try and mix a few different genres whenever I play
out.
ANNA: What types of things would you play in your “dream set”?
Chupacabras: Uhhh, a little bit of everything from Chicago House, Detroit Techno, Italo, Underground Disco, Boogie and Electro.
ANNA: If you could DJ with anyone, who would it be?
Chupacabras: Ron Hardy (although he is no longer with us), he has influenced me beyond belief. I have a lot of respect for the things he was playing back in the 70’s and80’s. Of course all of his edits are coming out now on vinyl, which is great.
ANNA: Who/What inspires you?
Chupacabras: All of my friends, people who play what they like. Honesty, I guess inspires me the most. Being honest to yourself as well as with others.
ANNA: How did you come up with the DJ name Chupacabras? What does it mean?
Chupacabras: It’s an old Mexican legend that’s very popular where I grew up. It’s an animal that resembles a dog and sucks the blood out of livestock and mainly “goats.” It literally means goatsucker though. I don’t know why I chose the name, it was a joke originally and when I got a residency at a club I had to stick to it.
ANNA: How did you end up in Barcelona? What was it like living and DJing there?
Chupacabras: I ended up moving there as a change of scenery and to become fluent in Spanish. I was living in San Francisco and wanted to move and knew a lot of friends were going to New York. I just wanted to go somewhere else first. I kinda knew I would live in New York sooner or later.
ANNA: And, how did you end up in NY?
Chupacabras: After living in Spain for six years I was ready to move. I thought about going to Berlin or Rome first. Then DJ Speculator called me up and offered me a room in his flat in Bushwick for really cheap. So I took it and moved here in 2005.
ANNA: What is your favorite place/city to DJ in?
Chupacabras: DETROIT, the vibe is a lot more open and people just wanna dance. I love the city, it just has a special feeling for me and of course all of my friends that live there also make it amazing.
ANNA: What are some DJs/musical artists you’ve worked with in the past?
Chupacabras: Well I’ve DJ-ed with EDMX, Legowelt, DJ Overdose, Novamen, DJ Zero, Marco Passarani, Mat 101, Sendex, Scott Zacharias, TLR, Hunee, Hugo Capablanca, T. Keeler, The Beautiful Swimmers, $tinkworx as well as playing at DEMF (Detroit Electronic Music Festival) in 2005. There were a ton of people playing that year.
ANNA: What projects have you been working on lately?
Chupacabras: I’ve been working on my blog called www.thingsjustaintwhattheyusedtobe.blogspot.com. I’ve been in Europe for the last month. I also am renting a recording space with the guys from Galaxy Toobin (Elliot Lip & Speculator). I plan on finishing some of my own tracks soon and hopefully putting them out this year. Other than that, just planning on more trips to play in Europe and anywhere outside of New York I can.
ANNA: Do you have a hidden or little-known talent? If so, what is it?
Chupacabras: I’m a pretty damn good cook; I used to cook in a Tex-Mex restaurant.
ANNA: Do you dance at parties?
Chupacabras: Yeah, much more than before. Drinking obviously helps get me on the floor.
ANNA: Are you sexy?
Chupacabras: If you like Mexicans with mustaches.
ANNA: Tell us a secret…
Chupacabras: Secrets cannot be told.
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http://soundcloud.com/djchupacabras/happy-days-mix
www.thingsjustaintwhattheyusedtobe.blogspot.com
