DJ Scotty K

His most recent muse, however, has been Kimberley Locke. Two of Scotty K’s remixes for the former American Idol finalist topped the dance charts in 2007, with the most recent being Locke’s cover of Freda Payne’s “Band of Gold". 

With that accomplishment still fresh in his mind, Scotty K recently chatted with GayWired.com (via e-mail, of course—the life of a DJ is a busy one) about what it’s like to work with a diva, why he'd rather work with more 'independent' singers and who he hopes to remix in the future. 

GayWired.com: You recently scored your fifth #1 on the Billboard club charts with a remix of Kimberley Locke's "Band of Gold". How did that feel? How did you react—did you do anything special after learning about the accomplishment? 

Scotty K: That felt really, really great. I'm actually a big fan of Kimberley's. I worked on another song of hers, "Change", which also went to #1. I was thrilled to have the chance to work on that. But to be asked again is very flattering, especially when there are  so many remixers out there to chose from. I guess the record label felt my sound worked great with her vocals and thought I could do it again with "Band of Gold".

GW: How did that remix come about? Did she commission it? Did you actually work with her, or did you make it and then send it to her? If you didn't work directly with her, did you ever hear about her reaction to your remix?

SK: Well, the original remix I did for her, "Change", came about from me contacting her record label myself. By then, I had done a lot of remixes and felt I had a very strong "remix reel" to show for. I called and spoke with the A&R person at CURB Records and he had heard of me. When I asked if I could work on a remix for him, he suggested Kimberley's single for "Change". I did the mix for free and was to be paid only if the remix was approved by them and by Kimberley for the release. Everyone approved the mix and it was released. Little did we all know that the record would do so well and connect with so many people. It was rewarding for everyone involved.

GW: Can you share any funny/interesting stories from the sessions that produced the remix? How many remixes do you generally produce when you work on a particular song, by the way?

SK: I don't really have any funny stories. However, there are times when I'm working on a number of projects, that my creative "flow" gets out of whack. There have been a number of projects where I've worked for hours on something. The next day I review the work and realize that the work was dreadful. At that point, I dump everything and start all over. Then there are times when a remix will come out of me very quickly because I'm immediately connected to the song. The remix for Kimberley's "Change" was like that. I really loved that song from the beginning and I completed the remix within three days. Once I realized I had the final remix all set, I then created an "instrumental" version where I muted all of the vocals and then I edited down the full club mix to a radio edit length. Generally I produce three to four versions of the remix: a club, dub, instrumental and a radio edit. 

GW: Your website says you recently completed remixes for Mary J. Blige and Britney Spears. Anything you can tell us about those projects? 

SK: I did a remix for Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine". I went ga-ga for that track when I first heard it. I immediately got on the phone to get the vocals to do a remix. I received the vocals and put together a remix in just two days. I was very much inspired by her and that song. I loved the remix I did and feel it's one of the best remixes I've done to date. I think it's a great combination of fun, energetic dance music with a fantastic vocal performance. The reference to Britney Spears was a remix I did for "Gimme More". The acapella (vocals) leaked on the internet for that track. I, along with about 25 other DJs, did their own bootleg mixes of that very popular song. I was very happy with my mix as I explored some new sounds that I hadn't really tapped into before. The end result was that Britney's song went to #1 on Billboard thanks to everyone who produced and leaked their own remixes for it. I can't think of a better example of grassroots promotion by a record label. It worked. 

GW: You've been working as a DJ for a decade now—how is the scene/industry different today from when you started?

SK: I'd say that the music has REALLY changed. I mean, trends come and go, but in this case, there has been a disappointing loss of real music and songwriting—thanks, in large part, to software that makes is possible for the average person to make music. Many "bedroom DJs" producer-wannabes have put together tracks that have no real musical foundation. It's usually very monotonous, limited synth sounds with repetitive beats that don't really go anywhere. These folks then take it to the clubs and start saturating the clubs with this uninspired music. What happened was the overtaking of real music for darker, less upbeat music that seemed to work well with the never-ending drug scene in many gay clubs to date. So, suddenly, much of the dance scene went to a very dark place. I hated it. I tried to keep my DJ showcases lighter and more musical. I applied that same idea to the remixes I've worked on... and I don't plan to change that.

GW: You've worked with a slew of artists over the years. Do any stand out as being particularly special to you? Have you ever remixed a track for someone you personally were a big fan of, for instance?

SK: Believe it or not, I've found more gratification working with "independent" artists, more so than working on projects for giant artists such as Madonna, Whitney Houston or Britney Spears. Working with independent artists allows more of a collaborative process between the artist and me. They're much more grounded and SO much more in touch with their music and they genuinely show a lot of interest in seeing how the remix process works. The one artist who I feel closest to and who I've shared a great deal of success with in the dance music scene is Debby Holiday. I consider Debby to be a friend and a true talent. She's a "triple threat"—singer, songwriter and an amazing performer. Love her to death. 

GW: Anyone you haven't yet worked with that you'd like to work with in the future?

SK: I would love to officially work on a remix project for Seal. I did one of my first bootleg mixes back in the day for Seal's "Waiting For You". It's a terrible mix, but I gave it my best effort at the time. But now, I feel my remix chops are solid enough to really turn out a great mix for him. Plus, he is one of my Top 5 favorite singers of all time.

GW: Any current or past songs you wish you had been given the chance to remix?

SK: I really wished that I had the chance to remix "Hung Up" by Madonna. I pitched hard to WB Records, especially after I had produced two amazing remixes for "Ray of Light" and "Beautiful Stranger". But, for whatever reason, they wouldn't budge and give me a shot at it. I really felt that many of the remixers they chose missed the point of that song, which made the remix package suffer in the end.

GW: What do you think are the biggest misconceptions people have about DJs?

SK: That we have every song imaginable in our DJ bags. I can't tell you how ridiculous I've seen people get if I don't have a particular song they're requesting. I tell them that it's impossible to have every dance song, yet some people act like their night is ruined because I wasn't able to play their song. When they get a little unruly, I just say, "Well, I'll wager my entire night's salary that you have the song in your car right now. So, just go out to your car and listen to it for the 8th time and your night will be complete." That usually gets them off my back. I mean, I don't have a mean bone in my body for anyone, but when someone pushes me after I try to be absolutely nice and accommodating I have to bring the situation into focus and then remove myself from that person. Otherwise, I'll let it get to me and it'll affect my DJ set.

GW: You've accomplished so much in a fairly short amount of time—what do you still want to accomplish in the future?

SK: I write goal lists every six months or so—you know, the "power of attraction" and all that. One of the goals on my list for 2008 is to write a pop song that will not only top the Billboard Pop Charts, but the Billboard Dance Charts as well, with remixes by producers I chose.

DJ Scotty K's current Top 5 playlist:

1. "Just Fine" (Mary J. Blige)—Scotty K. Vocal Klub Mix
2. "The Right Life" (Seal)—Josh Harris Club Mix
3. "Get The Party Started" (Shirley Bassey)—Chris Cox Club Mix
4. "La Muzika Anthem" (Tony Moran)—Original Club Mix
5. "3 Minutes to Explain" (Fedde Le Grand & Funkerman feat. Dorothy & Andy Sherman)—Original Mix 

For more on DJ Scotty K, go to www.djscottyk.com or www.myspace.com/djscottyk.