AIL Meets David Morales

An internationally acclaimed DJ, producer and artist David Morales was one the pioneers of dance music. Internationally recognised as one of founders of the genre he has remixed the likes of Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Madonna and… The Spice Girls. We talked to him about his musical status, his finest moments and why he won’t be moving to London any time soon.

People say that you were the first true superstar DJ. That’s a pretty high honour to have bestowed on you…
Hmmm… Maybe the second as I believe that Frankie Knuckles was the first superstar DJ. He was travelling way before I was. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have been travelling the world DJ-ing or even being respected for my remixing.

You are from Brooklyn, New York. How important was growing up there for your musical education?
I would have to say that growing up in Brooklyn wasn't the easiest thing but I was always intrigued by music. At around the ages of 5 and 6, I would sneak into the social club right next to my building. There they would play music on a jukebox. I was very fond of funk music. Music was my hobby, or should I say my escape from reality, and it still is.

You’ve remixed the likes of Madonna, Kylie and Michael Jackson in the past. Is there anyone current that you’d love to rework a track for?
I like Pharrell, Adele, Bruno Mars and a few country artists. In country music there's a lot of great singers. I prefer to listen to country music than pop music funnily enough.

So, having remixed some of the biggest names in pop, released original albums and played at the world’s biggest clubs, what else do you have planned for the future?
It's been an amazing journey so far. I'm living a dream. I love DJ-ing and I still get a high from it. And I still love being in the studio. I've also entertained the idea of acting but I feel it's a bit late for that. I also like to paint. So who knows, maybe one day I can sell some paintings…hahaha.

You’ve had a pretty spectacular career but are there any specific times that stand out for you as golden moments?
My first time coming to London for the DMC Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, once to be a judge and then also as a recipient of an award. Another golden moment of course is being nominated and winning a Grammy. Also playing at the Paradise Garage is definitely an epic moment in my career. And for sure meeting and working with Aretha Franklin among others.

House has definitely changed over the years. Are there specific things that you appreciate about the way the music and the scene has progressed or things that you miss?
Well for one, I miss songs. There seems to be a lot less songs being played in clubs. The technology has made it so that you can produce a record in your bedroom. It's good and in a way it's bad. I embrace the new technology. I now play on tractor and I must say that I love it except for the occasional crash.

There are a lot more opportunities for people to expose their work where as before you had to get signed to a record label. But the only problem is the monies that are being lost. I miss the days of being in a recording studio having a jam session. Now a lot of the work is being done over the internet, which I must say again that it's good and bad at the same time. There's something about vibing off each other when you're all in one room.

You’re going to be in London for a show Night Train @ Egg. Do you come to London regularly? Do you have favourite places that you always come back to when you’re in town?
I really don't visit London much as the weather is not the best. If it wasn't for the weather, I would have moved to London 20 years ago. I like the Jazz Café and restaurants such as Nobu and Zuma. Oh and I definitely like to eat Chinese food in Chinatown!

What’s the best thing about DJing/producing/remixing for a living?
The best thing besides having an outlet to express yourself is being able to support yourself doing something that you love.

Where is the most exotic location that you’ve played?
The most exotic location that I've ever played was a wedding in Boracay, which is an island in the Philippines. You have to take a plane and then a boat to get there

Finally, if you could share a DJ booth, spinning records with anyone past or present, who would it be and why?
Wow! That's a very hard question to answer. There are so many great DJ's past and present. My favourite DJ right now to play with is Louie Vega. We are now touring together as the Kings of House, and seem to compliment each other really well.


David Morales plays an Exclusive 4 hour debut set this Saturday February 8th at Night Train @ Egg Ldn alongside UK house music giant, Lee Foss. Details at www.egglondon.net



Image: Mark Nicdao