Just what kind of guest DJs are we booking at Qoöl? You can take it on faith that they sound darn good, but who are they really? Well, that's what these probing interviews are for. And because DJs are what they play, we've got their top 5 track mini-charts as well. Read the words then stop by Qoöl on April 9 to hear the sounds!
MARK SLEE
Qoöl: In general, do you think there is enough fire dancing going on in this city of ours? Please explain your answer.
Mark Slee: In general, and also specifically, yes. Yes, I do think that there is enough fire dancing going on. Is that enough explanation?
Q: Name your favorite hot, room temperature and cold beverages, and what makes them worthy of passing through your lips.
MS: My favorite hot beverage would be a Starbucks™ Chai Tea latte. I pretty much never drink hot drinks because I don't especially like them, but if I must, Starbucks™ is it. For room temperature, I would have to go with tap water plus a 1000mg packet of Tangerine flavored Vitamin C from Emergen-C™. Love that Emergen-C™, it's so worthy. My favorite cold beverage is Beer™ - I just love what those guys over at Beer™ HQ have been doing lately!
Q: Can you ride a unicycle? Do you have any other skills that might be circus related?
MS: Can't really ride a unicycle, though I have tried. I am, however, not bad on a pogo stick. And I once ran unsuccessfully in an election to become the Mayor of ClownTown.
Q: True or false. If you throw salt over the floor before people come into the club then the audience will drink more later on the evening. How do you figure?
MS: Probably true, but I figure it's because folks will just leave early and get drunk at the bar next door after slipping on salt.
Q: We say super-responsive high compression driver, you say…
MS: Sure, but can he parallel park that thing in the city?
Mark Slee's Top 5 Tracks of the Moment!
01 Marc Romboy, Bajka - Reciprocity - Marc Romboy Treatment - [Rebirth]
02 Michael McLardy - You Feel - [Highway 420]
03 Chriss Ronson - Madaba - Marco Grandi Remix - [Ready Mix]
04 Soukie & Windish - Flatmate Ghost - Kellerkind Remix - [Darkroom Dubs]
05 David Kassi - Things You Do - [Quantized]
Mark Slee, seen here as his normal, radiant self.
DEREK HENA
Qoöl: In general, do you think there is enough fire dancing going on in this city of ours? Please explain your answer.
Derek Hena: Clearly there is never enough fire dancing in San Francisco. My roommate Robin Drysdale actually teaches poi and has been instructing veterans and newbies for over a decade. I love going to Alamo Square park and seeing people do it live. I've had it out in the street in front of Mighty for several Pink Mammoth events with Robin and members of the Fire Arts Collective performing. People LOVE it.
Q: Name your favorite hot, room temperature and cold beverages, and what makes them worthy of passing through your lips.
DH: My favorite hot beverage HANDS DOWN is the Irish Hand Warmer with Bailey's at Waterbar on Embarcadero. Perfect amount of fresh whipped cream on top and balanced with the chocolate, Bailey's, espresso. I had to savor this one on my birthday last year. Had I not been so stuffed from lunch I would have ordered a 2nd. It's like a warm hug from the inside of your soul.
For room temperature my favorite beverage is 2005 J.Davies Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the grapes of Diamond Mountain. I had the wine "epiphany" moment. Simply unreal with rich and dark flavors, fruit bomb notes, and is a true sipping wine. I let it open for over an hour before drinking. I wish they had an IV drip made for it.
My favorite cold beverage is the classic pisco sour that I make. After living in Peru over 11 years ago I fell in love. Pisco, fresh strained lime juice, simple syrup, egg white all mixed together in a blender or shaker with a couple of cubes of ice. Sprinkled on top with a dash of ground cinnamon. You get the whiff of that in your nose before the deliciousness of the drink on your taste buds. A true experience. Be aware - if you get the proportions wrong for the drink you may as well start over from scratch. You can't "fix" one of these if things go wrong.
Q: Can you ride a unicycle? Do you have any other skills that might be circus related?
DH: I can definitely ride a unicycle, though have never tried. I'm sure it just takes a strong core which I don't have right now, but plan on having after getting back to the gym. I've see the people that do it. Can't be that hard to do since there isn't really a big range of motion. In terms of other "circus related" skills I can eat a lot of hot dogs. They sell those at the circus. I can also very accurately count the number of people in large crowds like those at the circus, festival, or flea market.
Q: True or false. If you throw salt over the floor before people come into the club then the audience will drink more later on the evening. How do you figure?
DH: False. If you throw salt over the floor, then it gives the annoying B-Boy dance circles more traction when they decide to breakdance and takes up tons of room, and at the same time creates an arena of sorts where spectators stare at them instead of dance with each other or dance to the DJ/band. It's frustrating when trying to move around the club and these circles pop up. I've taken a kick to the head and elbow to the groin because there was a dance circle that brought in their own "traction powder". Bars become less busy because people spend more time watching these circles, or they go outside because they are icing their wounds with free ice from the bartenders.
Q: We say super-responsive high compression driver, you say…
DH: Avalon by EAW Club sound system at Mighty. Hands down the best on the West Coast.
Derek Hena's Top 5 Track of the Moment!
01 Walter Jones - I Feel Loved- Original Mix - [Permanent Vacatoin]
02 Hot Since 82 - Like You - Franck Roger Remix - [Get Physical Music]
03 Nick Monaco - Sample Your Soul - Louie Vega Remix - [Vega Records]
04 Nuyorican Soul - Mind Fluid - Nuyorican Soul Shock Remix - [Nervous Records]
05 Erik Bo - Madone - Toka Project Electric Dub Remix - [Maracuja]
We asked for a photo of the artist but his management sent us this picture of an Irish Hand Warmer instead. Note to would-be promoters - artist relations can be tricky !
RACHEL TORRO
Qoöl: In general, do you think there is enough fire dancing going on in this city of ours? Please explain your answer.
Rachel Torro: People dance with fire? Far out!
Q: Name your favorite hot, room temperature and cold beverages, and what makes them worthy of passing through your lips.
RT: Coffee in any of those forms is hands down my favorite beverage.
Q: Can you ride a unicycle? Do you have any other skills that might be circus related?
RT: I've never tried, but I can hula hoop with my knees.
Q: True or false. If you throw salt over the floor before people come into the club then the audience will drink more later on the evening. How do you figure?
RT: False. The only thing you'll get out of that is a party with no witches.
Q: We say super-responsive high compression driver, you say…
RT: I'm not much of a golfer.
Rachel Torro's Top 5 Tracks of the Moment!
01 Luca Lozano & Mr. Ho - Dobb Meep - Tim Green Remix - [Disc Over Music]
02 Rico Puestel - Volute - Original Mix - [Pimprinella]
03 Compact Grey, Julian Wassermann - You Don't Know Me - Frag Maddin's Remix - [Gris Musique]
04 Miru & Dima - Miru Mira - Nu & Mira Think About You Remix - [KATERMUKKE]
05 Acumen - Between the Lines - Original Mix - [Time Has Changed Records]
DJs can be notoriously difficult to photograph, but not Rachel Torro!