Dubbed New York house royalty, Brooklyn-based DJ Victor Simonelli has more than 30 years of experience behind the decks. Renowned in the music scene and considered an early pioneer of the NYC underground dance movement, the producer, songwriter, remixer and DJ credits some of the time he spent in Utah as reigniting his passion for music.
Throughout his career, Simonelli has made major strides within the music community from opening a recording studio in Rome and starting his own record label, West Side Records, to star-studded collaborations, producing and remixes (David Bowie, Michael Jackson and Chaka Khan among them!) and even DJing the MTV European Awards after party in Copenhagen.
Devoting his entire career to making music, Simonelli returns to Salt Lake City with his passion for music and talent on the turntables.
Tell me about your connection to Utah.
I Lived in Utah for some school years in the '80s. My love for music was reinforced even more in Utah, as it was very difficult getting music I knew and wanted while I was there. This was long before Internet, and having to really search hard for the music I wanted, made me want it that much more. While there, even bought a very large record collection from a club that had closed (which is still part of my collection today). Utah was my first real experience outside of N.Y. Being so different than what I was used to in N.Y., it was such a mind-opening experience for me.
As I travel to different places around the world for gigs now, I continue to understand how much it has done for my character. I made some great friendships in Utah, that are lasting a lifetime, some who I even consider family!
What inspired you to DJ?
I was born in a home full of records, as my Dad has a huge record collection. Some of my earliest memories are digging through his record crates. Besides collecting , he would play (DJ) for a hobby, and would sometimes arrange and throw parties, so he is who inspired me to start.
What are accomplishments as a DJ/producer are you most proud of?
Making and releasing music and sharing it with the world. http://www.discogs.com/artist/Victor+Simonelli
Who were the DJs and musicians who inspired you when you were starting?
Firstly my dad. Various others, in no particular order, Shep Pettibone, John Morales, Tony Humphries, Boyd Jarvis, Timmy Regisford, Merlin Bob, Dave Mancuso, Ted Courier, Jim Burgess, Jon Fearing, Latin Rascals, Larry Levan, Arthur Baker, Aldo Marin, Tom Moulton, Gamble and Huff, to name a few.
Array
(
[1] =>
Dubbed New York house royalty, Brooklyn-based DJ Victor Simonelli has more than 30 years of experience behind the decks. Renowned in the music scene and considered an early pioneer of the NYC underground dance movement, the producer, songwriter, remixer and DJ credits some of the time he spent in Utah as reigniting his passion for music.
Throughout his career, Simonelli has made major strides within the music community from opening a recording studio in Rome and starting his own record label, West Side Records, to star-studded collaborations, producing and remixes (David Bowie, Michael Jackson and Chaka Khan among them!) and even DJing the MTV European Awards after party in Copenhagen.
Devoting his entire career to making music, Simonelli returns to Salt Lake City with his passion for music and talent on the turntables.
Tell me about your connection to Utah.
I Lived in Utah for some school years in the '80s. My love for music was reinforced even more in Utah, as it was very difficult getting music I knew and wanted while I was there. This was long before Internet, and having to really search hard for the music I wanted, made me want it that much more. While there, even bought a very large record collection from a club that had closed (which is still part of my collection today). Utah was my first real experience outside of N.Y. Being so different than what I was used to in N.Y., it was such a mind-opening experience for me.
As I travel to different places around the world for gigs now, I continue to understand how much it has done for my character. I made some great friendships in Utah, that are lasting a lifetime, some who I even consider family!
What inspired you to DJ?
I was born in a home full of records, as my Dad has a huge record collection. Some of my earliest memories are digging through his record crates. Besides collecting , he would play (DJ) for a hobby, and would sometimes arrange and throw parties, so he is who inspired me to start.
What are accomplishments as a DJ/producer are you most proud of?
Making and releasing music and sharing it with the world. http://www.discogs.com/artist/Victor+Simonelli
Who were the DJs and musicians who inspired you when you were starting?
Firstly my dad. Various others, in no particular order, Shep Pettibone, John Morales, Tony Humphries, Boyd Jarvis, Timmy Regisford, Merlin Bob, Dave Mancuso, Ted Courier, Jim Burgess, Jon Fearing, Latin Rascals, Larry Levan, Arthur Baker, Aldo Marin, Tom Moulton, Gamble and Huff, to name a few.
[2] =>
Tell me about "The Original King of New York."
This is a compilation that Traxsource put together with some of my works. Visit traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=104670 Hope to have additional volumes (Vol. 2, 3, etc.) ready soon.
What are two songs you currently like to include in your sets that we should check out?
"City Life," by Marshall Jefferson and Curtis Mclain, "Rise Up," by Ann Nesby and Sounds Of Blackness. These are both tracks, I have just completed (am completing), and will be working them at upcoming gig(s). Not to be released until sometime in 2012.
What do you like to do when you are not Djing?
Producing , writing/composing, remixing and dreaming of music.
)
