“I want people to come away from my sets thinking that TJR brought something that we’re not used to seeing anymore…”
Interview : Dan Prince
TJ welcome to DMCWORLD, where on planet dance are you right now?
“Hey Dan, I’m in Los Angeles at the moment!”
Well what can we say about Ultra and your tune ‘Bounce Generation’? Man it was everywhere!!!! Did you expect such a response?
“It’s a great feeling. I always have low expectations for my music so the support has been quite satisfying.”
What were some of your other highlights of the week down in Miami?
“I ate at Joe’s Stone Crab! Besides that, hanging out at Ultra and listening to friends play. My favorite sets were GTA, Dillon Francis and Jack U.”
When I told the Buzz Chart posse I was interviewing you today they shouted, “tell him he has put the fun back into the club!” What are your thoughts on that?
“Hahahaha I love it! That’s what I do! Not sure why though, but for me dancing and clubbing is a celebration of life (and booty!). I feel “funk” is missing in big room music so I’m more motivated than ever to bring it to the forefront.”
You have one of the most interesting stories of any dance producer we have ever had the fortune of interviewing in DMCWORLD. To be able to get into college the only way in was to major in Professional Golf Management in North Carolina, golf being your other love alongside music. It didn’t work out and you took up DJing. Do any of your old golf friends ever come raving with you?
“OMG yes and it’s funny to watch! The two worlds couldn’t be anymore different but they get a kick out of the whole thing.”
A quote from your parents back then…“You came in as a nerdy golfer, and graduated as a crazy raver.” What were their thoughts on you taking up DJing as a career?
“They didn’t say it to me but I think they were concerned. I mean seriously, your son enters college a dorky golfer and graduates as a bleached hair, Jnco pant wearing raver DJ. They were relived when I got a corporate job shortly after graduation, which proved I was somewhat of a responsible human being.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
“I play a lot of Deorro and VINAI, that’s all I ever remember haha!”
What prompted the move from Connecticut to Los Angeles?
“The music business! Ain’t shit going on in Connecticut except to go to the bar with friends and get drunk or play golf in the summer. Best decision I ever made in my life.”
What did you think of Mats Zuccarello winning this season’s Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award – did he get your vote amongst all your other beloved New York Rangers players?
“He deserves it. It saddened me when Callahan got traded cause he was such a hard worker but Zucc has the same amount of spirit and fight. High hopes for the playoffs, LGR!”
A great quote from you… “You know, the only thing I hope I bring to the situation is some levity and some fun. People get way too serious over dance music sometimes.” Please explain what you meant by that…
“Just look at the Youtube and Soundcloud comments. People are insane. The way people criticize and bash others over elitist points of view is insane. We make dance music so people can dance. It’s that simple. We are not making songs to protest an unjust war or fight for civil rights. Our cause is to party, so chill the f*ck out and smile more!”
Word on the street is that you recently produced a song for Flo Rida called ‘Freaking Out’ which will be in Seth Rogen’s new movie ‘Neighbors’…what’s the story there?
“Flo’s people approached me last year to provide them music for his new album and they choose the weirdest demo I had. I was shocked but the sample “Oooh dude I’m totally freaking out” was really cool so that helped. I thought Flo nailed the vocals so I’m really excited to hear it on the radio. I’m just trying to bring the bounce and funk to the masses.”
Who are some of the producers from around the world you are giving high fives to right now…?
“Deorro, VINAI, Crookers, Nom De Strip…”
Not many people know this, but TJR is really good at…
“Irish goodbyes!”
We all have one, a guilty pleasure song we secretly love but shouldn’t…
“Keyshia Cole – ‘Love’.”
And finally what is coming out next from you studio wise…?
“My collaboration with VINAI ‘Bounce Generation’ and two originals of mine; ‘Polluted” featuring Dirt Nasty and “Ass Hypnotized” featuring Dances With White Girls.”
http://iamtjr.com/
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