noizemagazine - Index

noizemagazine - noiZe Magazine Issue 59 February 2009 - Index

tant, he manages to squeeze in six
hours every week buying music.
As a dedicated house DJ, he loves
vinyl, rare as it may be. He doesn’t
want to be typecast, however; he
can vary a set from deep house to
progressive after-hours, from tribal
to diva anthems. But he draws the
line at dropping the lyrics: “It’s sad
that vocals are all but gone in minimal
and electro music,” he complains.
“Vocals are the only human
thing left in music since computers
took over.” He waxes hot over
the “warmth of the human voice,
to feel the sensations. Thank God
vocals are coming back! The dance
floor is always more full with vocals.
The reaction is always stronger,”
he says. “Sometimes, you hear the
crowd singing the song—and it’s so
cool!”
As someone with hands-on experience
in the performing arts, Patrick
prides himself on being able to
“read” the dance floor based on
the crowd’s reactions. “I love to
see them happy and smiling,” he
says. “They send me energy, and
it’s a constant feedback.” Often, he
records his sets, then listens back
and critiques them.
He’s especially looking forward to
his first compilation CD—“when
my turn comes, all in good time.”
And after that? Production. He also
credits his dance background with
an ability to hear all the sounds in
a song, as well as a firsthand knowledge
and analysis of music.
In the end, what he’s really doing is
enabling the crowd to experience
the exhilaration of a professional
dancer on stage; that is, dance as
the physical expression of the innermost
emotions.
“Dance helps you understand the
feeling of a song, to uncover the
emotion hidden behind that creation,”
he opines. “Choreography
is the physical manifestation
of music, and the DJ permits all
those who are not dancers to
dance, to express themselves
to their favorite music.” Visit
www.patrickguay.com for a special
noiZe download mix and upcoming
play dates.
Happy Am I! Healthy Am I! holy Am I!
Patrick Guay’s major influences
Madonna, for her innovation and choices,
her music, and her professional convictions
Stephan Grondin, for his passion and
professionalism
Peter Rauhofer, for his extraordinary
nights
Dance influences: Janet Jackson and
Paula Abdul
Other DJs: Victor Calderone, Roger
Sanchez, Chus & Ceballos and Mark
Anthony
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