Daniel LeDisko has a couple of things to get off his chest.
The DJ has racked up air miles playing shows all over the world over
the past few years as one half of the electro-remix juggernauts LA
Riots (the other half is producer Jo’B). The duo have produced a huge
array of remixes for everyone from Justice and Kylie Minogue to Chris
Cornell and Kings of Leon. Over the phone from Los Angeles (and apropos
of nothing) LeDisko shared some of the biggest pet peeves he’s
accumulated from various gigs around the world.
“I hate requests,” he says. “I’m not a wedding DJ. I don’t come to
McDonald’s and tell you how to flip the burgers. In this day and age,
when we’re in a recession, I get paid a retarded amount of money to mix
records. I shouldn’t be partying while I do it.”
Over 15 years of DJing, the 34-year-old has witnessed the fall of
rave culture and the rising popularity of electro and the scene’s
evolving audiences. LeDisko—who generally favours house in his
sets—says he’s not adverse to dropping bangers for the kids but draws
the line at putting on a stage show.
“People stare at me like it’s a rock concert,” he says. “They want
to pump their fists and that’s it. I’m not going to bust into air
guitar or beat drums. Back in the day, the DJs just DJed and people
danced. People’s expectations are different now, especially these days,
when anyone with a laptop and a Serato can do it. Some of these guys
can’t even mix a cake.”
Curious back-to-school dance freaks and skeptical Toronto types can
come see what the deal is at the Paragon this Saturday. Just don’t be
surprised if you sidle up asking for MGMT and get your knuckles
rapped.
“I have no social filter,” says LeDisko, without a note of apology.
This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2009.